That would eliminate the cost difference between hybrid and conventional hardware, keeping prices about the same.
Hybrids help automakers meet federal fuel-economy standards.
That's getting harder to do because big, thirsty SUVs are so popular. He forecast 30,000 Durango hybrids a year, growing to 100,000 vehicles altogether annually after '06, when gas-electric hybrid technology migrates to other, unnamed, DaimlerChrysler vehicles. They're not trying to make an improved vehicle around the hybrid. Honda was first. Its Insight two-seat coupe went on sale in the USA in December.