Chrysler REALLY Wants to Be GM: Advertises "Volt"

I thought it was ridiculous when GM was advertising the Volt two years before scheduled production. But now Chrysler is advertising the Volt, and they’re not even GM (yet.)

So, I’m checking my email…I’ve just received a message from Lyle over at GM-Volt saying that GM has decided who will be supplying the Volt’s battery (LG Chem, if you’re curious.) And what do I see, but an ad for the "Volt"… from Chrysler.

I mean, yeah, I agree, Chrysler should have had the foresight to start planning an extended range EV three years ago…but they didn’t. And now they’re obviously regretting that. The full ad reads "Volt - Learn More About ENVI & the New Chrysler Fuel-less Vehicles Today." The ad links to a page discussing Chrysler’s recent commitment to produce one of three electric vehicles by 2010. From there, you can explore Chrysler’s green program, including a blog for their ENVI environmental program with exactly one post.

Oh Chrysler, can’t you at least keep your envy (or should I say ENVI) to yourself? I imagine the name "Volt" isn’t trademarked or anything. If it is, GM would certainly have a case against Chrysler, advertising their products with their competitor’s products name is pretty clear trademark infringement.

Nonetheless, it’s obvious that car companies see GM’s dominance in extended-range EVs looming, and they don’t want to let them dominate the green mindshare like Toyota has done so effectively since the Prius was released. Chrysler’s tooth-and-nail fight to get an EV or an EREV on the road by 2010 to combat the Volt has been taken to a new level.

But unless a ton of these cars actually get on the road, and for a price below $50k, Chrysler’s plan to disrupt the Volt is just going to be another limp attempt to gain back their former luster.

Source: EcoGeek.org