Chrysler: Zooming back to business

There is a stereotype about auto companies, and that stereotype is that they do not care about the environment, seeing as they are not known for producing cars that run on sources other than gas/oil.  This is because other forms of energy are either barely existent or seen as too inconvenient.  But, Chrysler is looking to change this perception.

Chrysler has recently revealed a plan for them to produce a heavy-line pickup that will be designed to run on natural gas.  According to W2012 Business Thought and Action, “the building of these trucks comes after all the major automakers met with the American Gas Association and the American Natural Gas Alliance.”  Also urging automakers to do this is the Apache Corporation (W2012 Business Thought and Action), and General Motors has the desire to follow suit with Chrysler.

Now, how would this affect an auto company’s financials, since one would think that using an entirely different source of fuel would add a significant cost.  Fortunately, according to W2012 Business Thought and Action, “companies that produce these trucks on the factory floor would reduce costs and complexity, and could show significant profits.”  Perhaps something else that would make the profits significant would be the high gasoline prices.

W2012 Business Thought and Action has stated that the Chrysler Ram will now be able to travel 255 miles before switching to its gas tank.  So, while the new pickups to be are not completely independent of gas, the vehicles are still going to be more fuel efficient.  Therefore, for obvious reasons, the high gas prices are giving this technology even more support.  And, while on the subject of the support this is getting, President Obama has endorsed this move citing America’s natural gas supply and the potential for new.  But, not everyone would want a pickup truck.

It is likely for that reason then that the technology is to be made compatible with other vehicles.  Is this what the environmentalists have been waiting for?  Is this the idea that the auto industry needs to restore its former glory?  The technology itself is still being developed, so only time will tell.  It is a recurring theme that we must not jump to conclusions about.