Chrysler to Offer E85 Minivan in MY 1998
Chrysler announced plans to mass-produce an
ethanol-powered minivan for model year 1998. As
many as 200,000 3.3-liter Chrysler Voyagers and Dodge
Caravans, approximately one-third of the automaker's
total production capacity for 1998, will be equipped
with flexible-fuel capabilities.
"This is the largest number of AFVs ever placed
into the marketplace, and it is a great way for
Chrysler to get back into the AFV industry," said
Mike Clement, Chrysler's alternative fuels division
manager. The minivan's versatility makes it the
perfect vehicle to offer fleets and consumers. The
vehicles can be ordered at Chrysler dealers nationwide.
Because the minivans have not been certified to meet
California Air Resource Board Clean Air Standards, the
Chrysler flexible-fuel minivan will not be available in
California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
General Motors Beefs Up Product Line
General Motors (GM) recently announced the
availablility of a bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG)
sub-compact sedan in 1998.
GM is teaming up with natural gas vehicle (NGV)
conversion kit-manufacturer IMPCO Technologies, Inc.
to build a bi-fuel CNG Chevrolet Cavalier. Although
labeled an original equipment manufacturer vehicle, its
entire fuel delivery system is designed and placed into
the vehicle by IMPCO technicians after the vehicle
comes off the assembly line.
"We are working very closely at the GM plant in
Detroit to engineer our system into its car," said Josh
Pietak, an engineer at IMPCO. "We will receive the
Cavalier from GM and retrofit our fueling system."
IMPCO plans to sell 4,000-5,000 units to GM for use
in the Cavalier, and IMPCO will fully warranty the
entire natural gas fuel delivery system. The standard
GM warranty applies to the remainder of the vehicle.
GM, Fuelmaker Team Up to Offer
Savings on Refuelers
In an effort to "provide customers with a complete
product package," Fuelmaker Corporation will offer
rebates on all vehicle refueling appliances (VRAs), when
purchased in conjunction with GM's 1997 bi-fuel GMC
Sierra and Chevrolet C-Series light-duty pickup trucks.
Fuelmaker offers a 15% rebate until September 30,
1997 on all five of its VRA models. After the deadline,
all VRA purchases will include a 10% rebate. Designed
to fuel one to 30 vehicles in "time-" or "fast-fill" modes,
suggested list prices for the VRAs range from $4,300
to $17,550.
10
FORD MOTOR COMPANY recently announced it will
expand its alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) lineup in
model years (MY) 1998 and 1999 with these new
products:
Bi-fuel F-150 Series pickups and bi-fuel Econoline
vans powered by either natural gas or propane
(MY 1998)
The Ranger EV, Ford's first electric pickup truck
(MY 1998)
The E85 Ranger, a flexible-fuel pickup powered by
a blend of up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline
(MY 1999).
Ford will invest more than $1 billion between now
and 2003 to continue AFV and emission research and
development.
For more information on the Ford AFVs, call Ford's
Hotline at 800-ALT-FUEL. For a complete listing of
AFVs offered from all manufacturers, call DOE's
National Alternative Fuels Hotline at 800-423-1363 or
check out the website at www.afdc.doe.gov
Toyota recently announced its 1998 RAV4-EV sport
utility vehicle will go on sale by mid-October and will be marketed
toward fleet customers. The vehicle will also be available for lease at
$499 per month with no mileage restrictions. Toyota plans to lease
most of its RAV4-EVs for 36 months in California and the
Northeast United States.
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Courtesy of Ford Motor Company/PIX 05227
From the Automakers |
