In October, I noted the announcement of the new Chrysler Hybrid SUV models.  

According to the NY Times:

The hybrid S.U.V.’s became available at dealerships in early October. But on Oct. 23, Chrysler announced that at the end of the year it would close the Delaware plant where they are built.
Production of the hybrid models began on Aug. 22. Even if production continues until Dec. 31, the Aspen and Durango hybrids are almost certainly the shortest-lived new models from a major manufacturer in modern times.

It's hard to fathom what Chrysler was thinking.   To spend the money to develop the vehicles, and then shutter the only plant set up to build them?   If the market conditions that would make hybrids attractive (high gas prices) are going to kill sales of SUVs, and cause you to shut down the plant that makes them, why the heck would you tool up your SUV plant to make the hybrids?

With gas prices falling, will Chrysler save the SUV plant?  But with $2 gas, will people pay the premium for a hybrid?  It seems hard to believe that both would happen. 

It's decisions like these that got the Big 3 into the mess they are in.  Any federal bailout should come with stipulations that the folks making these kinds of decisions be booted out.   Silliness.