We are in the midst of the hybrid automotive era and while seemingly everyone has at least one super efficient hybrid in their lineup – Dodge does not and neither does any other Chrysler Group brand. The Fiat 500e brought electrification to the Chrysler Group lineup but with the exception of the poor selling and short lived Durango (and Chrysler Aspen) hybrid, Chrysler hasn’t made much effort in competing with the likes of the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape hybrids. Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has made it very clear that he isnt all that interested in offering hybrids as he believes that they are not the long term answer to achieve more efficient vehicles but from a consumer standpoint – do you think that Dodge needs a hybrid?
The Dodge Durango Hybrid struggled because it was an expensive option for very little return but hybrid technology has come a long way over the past few years so if the company was to pick a more reasonable vehicle than the least efficient vehicle in their lineup, a modern Dodge hybrid would stand a much better chance of succeeding. The Dodge Dart already offers better than 40mpg so with the implementation of a hybrid drivetrain, the Dart could be one of the most efficient models in the segment but with the small hybrid market already jam packed with attractive options…should the company even bother?
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
