As the automotive industry moves past one of the worst recessions in recent history, new strategic partnerships are forming everywhere hopes of cutting costs when it comes to innovation. One of the most recent was the alliance between Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG which was announced just last week. Not to be completely left out, Chrysler is also finding partners, but interestingly enough not in the automotive industry. Instead, the Detroit automaker has entered a three year partnership with NASA to share information and technology related to several areas of mutual interest including space exploration and automotive technologies.
Chrysler has been falling behind other automakers when it comes to advanced hybrids and electric vehicles. However, Chrysler remains committed to bringing eco-friendly technology to consumers, and its new partnership with NASA will likely facilitate that goal.
“This is a great opportunity to share knowledge and data in areas where both Chrysler Group and NASA have a vested interest,” said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President, Chrysler Engineering. “We value the opportunity to work with NASA and will implement what is learned to further improve our Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Truck products.”
As unusual as this pairing may sounds, this isn’t the first time Chrysler has teamed up with NASA. In 1961 NASA sought the help of Chrysler to help build the Redstone rockets that sent the Mercury Project and the first American into space. Chrysler also helped build rockets for the first two Apollo capsules and the Saturn series rockets of the 1970s.
“The investment in NASA technologies has led to hundreds of applications here on Earth for several decades now, and this collaboration with Chrysler promises to continue that tradition,” said Mike Coats, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
One of the major areas that Chrysler and NASA will collaborate on will be battery systems. Not only are these systems crucial for traveling into space, but efficiently storing vast amounts of energy will be necessary in developing the next generation of electric vehicles.
Finding the right technology partner is essential in the auto business today suggests one Toyota dealer Albuquerque. Toyota, for example, has been linked with Tesla to bolster its development of eco-friendly products.
Chrysler’s first EV is slated to be launched in the U.S. in 2012. Based on the Fiat 500 minicar, this new EV will be powered by batteries from large scale battery maker A123Systems.
Among those looking for used car specials in Hartford, value has become the biggest factor in their purcahse. And increasingly, fuel economy is factoring into this as well. With new EVs hitting the market, fuel-sipping vehicles will soon be available to the masses in just a few years.
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