Tata, Chrysler Connect on $5,000 Electric Vehicle
June 25, 2008
The buzz is increasing on expanded collaboration between Chrysler and India's Tata Motors, which was catapulted on the world's automotive map with its announcement of the $2,500 Nano earlier this year.
India's Economic Times reports that Tata and Chrysler's Global Electric Motorscars (GEM) have developed an electric-powered version of the Tata Ace delivery vehicle with plans to sell it in U.S. The price being bandied about is $5,000 U.S.
The two apparently signed a development contract earlier this year. Sources told the India newspaper that volumes, likely to be low initially, branding and pricing are yet to be finalized.
The thinking is that the Ace light commercial vehicles will be shipped from India as completely built-up units, minus running gear, which will be fitted by GEM in the U.S. The Ace is to be marketed as delivery vehicles for metropolitan areas like those in California and New York where stringent emission standards are to go into effect.
For GEM, which makes the Neighborhood, the deal expands its current range of vehicles with a more conventional looking commercial vehicle than it has now in its line.
For Tata, it could result in the use of the GEM powertrain in the Ace models sold in India.
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 6:38 AM under Chrysler , Rumors , Technology | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
well... there goes the Cushman Titan. Is nothing sacred?
Posted by: fulcrumb | June 25, 2008 at 8:48 PM