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FCA Could Debut Self-Driving Electric Minivan by 2019
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne tells analysts the company could put its semi-autonomous Chrysler Portal electric minivan into production within two years.
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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne tells analysts the company could put its semi-autonomous Chrysler Portal electric minivan into production within two years.
FCA unveiled the Portal concept (pictured) in January at CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Marchionne told reporters at the Detroit auto show a week later that FCA intends to build a version of the Portal as a fifth-generation minivan sometime after 2018.
The concept boasts so-called Level 3 “conditional automation,” meaning it can handle all aspects of driving under certain conditions—but also expects a human driver to intervene if requested. It isn’t clear how much autonomy the production version of the Portal will have, or whether it will be propelled by an all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain.
FCA also is supplying 500 hybrid versions of its Chrysler Pacifica minivan to Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo driverless car program. The vehicles will be used in Phoenix by consumers under Waymo’s new “early rider” project.
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