Chrysler unplugs Envi electric-vehicle division

Envi, the team of engineers charged with developing electric vehicles for Chrysler, has been disbanded.

A spokesman told Reuters that development of electric cars will be integrated into the company's traditional structure.

“Envi is absorbed into the normal vehicle-development program,” Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa told the wire service.

This is a reversal from last year, when Chrysler touted extensive plans for electric cars, including a battery-powered Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler Town & Country and a sports car called the Dodge Circuit.

Under the ownership of private-equity fund Cerberus Capital Management, Chrysler had highly promoted the electric-car strategy. No mention of the electric-car plans was made last week at Chrysler's extensive product session for the media.

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