Noel Schutt » Chrysler http://schutt.org/blog Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:14:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Fiat-Chrysler http://schutt.org/blog/2009/06/fiat-chrysler/ http://schutt.org/blog/2009/06/fiat-chrysler/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:47:08 +0000 Noel http://schutt.org/blog/?p=226 The Fiat-Chrysler deal went through. I think this has the potential to improve the car selection available in the US. I was impressed by many of Fiat’s designs I saw last summer. I haven’t had a chance to drive or work on one yet, so I can’t be sure, but many Fiats look practical for a significant fraction of drivers. I hope the better Fiat models make it in the US. Even if they don’t, there is still the possibility that Fiat’s influence will lead to some better Chryslers.

One feature on some recent Fiats that should be quickly adopted is the Bosch Start&Stop system, which is basically a few sensors and a beefed up starter motor. Start&Stop allows the engine to shut off at stoplights, and restart when needed. It is designed well enough to keep the engine on when it needs to be. Start&Stop is reported to save up to 11% of gas for city driving. A system like this would be particularly useful on work trucks, but should be used on most cars sold. From my experience, work trucks spend a lot of time stopped and idling, but much of that idling time isn’t needed. A system that runs the engine only enough to keep it warm–and the cabin air-conditioned or heated–would save large amounts of gas. The system should easily pay for itself in fuel savings.

So, will Fiat-Chrysler be better for Chrysler than DaimlerChrysler?

]]> http://schutt.org/blog/2009/06/fiat-chrysler/feed/ 0 Good news for Chrysler http://schutt.org/blog/2009/01/chrysler/ http://schutt.org/blog/2009/01/chrysler/#comments Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:53:42 +0000 Noel http://schutt.org/blog/?p=136 Two news stories could lead to Chrysler surviving the current economic panic, and becoming a strong company again. The first is Chrysler’s deal with Fiat. The second is Obama’s order for the EPA to reconsider the Bush administration’s rule disallowing California from implementing emissions standards less lax than federal standards. This potential rule reversal is good for State’s rights and for the earth. The original improved standards were delayed by the Bush administration and car companies. If the ruling is updated, fourteen states–including half of the American population–will raise their CAFE standard to 35 miles per gallon by 2016. This is a logical and easy to reach goal. Chrysler’s deal with Fiat will give them easier access to efficient drivetrains. This lowers the number of new parts that must be developed. Instead, production can be increased on existing designs. This deal puts Chrysler in a better position than they would be otherwise.

(Anyone who doesn’t believe technology has advanced to the point where 35 mpg car CAFE by 2016 is a trivial goal had better be reading this on gopher using a terminal dialed into a VAX over a 1200 baud modem.)

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