Chrysler to sell Dodge Ram hybrid in 2010

Chrysler has confirmed that it plans to sell a hybrid version of its Dodge Ram pick-up truck in 2010. The announcement comes on the back of earlier news that the company will roll out hybrid versions of its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs this summer.

The company has also indicated that it will offer an even wider range of hybrids in the near future. Speaking at this year's SAE International world congress, product development chief Frank Klegon said, “We are going to need to expand our hybrid offerings, and we are doing that, we just haven’t announced which specific vehicles are going to show up beyond the truck.”

He also said that the Ram SUV will use a similar hybrid system to the one used in the Durango and Aspen models. This means that it’s likely to be based on a nickel battery, linked to a larger four-cylinder engine, and capable of speeds up to 70 mph.

After several years of hybrid SUV dominance by European and Japanese auto companies, it’s encouraging to see some signs of a fight back from U.S. manufacturers. Let’s hope this healthy competition extends to smaller, more affordable cars soon.

Via Reuters