Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced Tuesday that it will release at least two new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the next three years.
The automaker said that a plug-in hybrid Chrysler Town & Country minivan will be released in 2016, according to The Detroit News.
A full-size Chrysler crossover that has not been named yet will be launched in 2017.
The announcement was made during presentations given this week by Fiat Chrysler auto executives. The presentations featured small bits of information about the company's future plans, and were part of an overview of the company's business strategy for the next five years, CNN reported.
Chrysler said the hybrid minivan will get about 75 miles per gallon. This will be the first time that a major automaker will sell a hybrid minivan in the U.S.
The automaker also announced that it will end production of the Dodge Caravan in 2016. Plans for EVs for either the company's Jeep or Dodge brands through 2018 were not revealed, The Detroit News reported.
Bob Lee, powertrain chief of Chrysler, said the new minivan will comply with California zero emission vehicle requirements.
Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. have all announced that they will start selling fuel-cell vehicles by 2015. Chrysler, however, said they will not because the vehicles are not commercially viable. Lee said the vehicle's technology is too expensive and that the company has not arranged for the infrastructure needed to make and sell hydrogen with a net CO2 footprint reduction, The Detroit News reported.
The automaker's minivan and crossover will be the first hybrids in any line-up of Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicles since the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs. These vehicles were produced for a short time in 2008 before the factory was shut down, CNN reported.
Chrysler will be doubling its product line-up, which will include a new mid-size crossover SUV and a new 100 compact car.
