Just two months after they began selling their first hybrids, the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango, it appears the hybrid SUV party will end early for Chrysler, LLC.

durango aspen hybrids discontinued

From a press release issued today, “In response to the continuing global economic slowdown and auto industry contraction, as well as the market’s continuing movement toward smaller vehicles, Chrysler LLC is announcing…the pull-ahead of the closure of the Newark (Delaware) Assembly Plant.

Chrysler went on to state that the Delaware plant that builds all Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUV’s (including the new 2009 two-mode hybrid versions of each) will be closed on 12/31/2008, several months earlier than the previously announced closing timeline. Approximately 1000 workers at this Newark, DE plant will be out of work before the new year.

According to an article published on the Edmunds.com blog, Chrysler had received about 3,000 orders for these two hybrid SUVs so far. Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer apparently made no indication of whether or not the orders would be filled before the closing.

At the same time, Alisa Priddle (Detroit News) describes Chrysler’s full-size SUV and hybrid departure as less than permanent, writing, “Chrysler LLC is temporarily getting out of the large sport utility vehicle business, as well as hybrids…Chrysler will be back in the hybrid game in 2010 with previously announced plans to put the technology in the new Dodge Ram full-size pickup. “More hybrids are coming in the future,” said Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Beth Halprin.”.

You can read the full press release at autoblog.com.

How quickly things can change in the auto world. The Aspen and Durango hybrid are likely now history, yet just 30 days ago Chrysler appeared to be turning really green when they issued the following press release about their plans for an electric-drive vehicle release in 2010. Guess we’ll see how that goes.

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