Chrysler is not the number one brand name that comes to head when you think about hybrids. With their mix of here today, gone tomorrow hybrid models like the RAM, Aspen and Durango. But at this years Detroit Auto Show, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler said “We will offer a hybrid variant of the 300 equipped with an eight-speed automatic in 2013″

With the plans for the 300, it seems that hybrids are back in favor at Chrysler. The company built hybrid versions of the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs back in 2008 but pushed a very limited amount of sales before ceasing production in late 2008. Shortly after declaring bankruptcy the following year. Since Chrysler’s bankruptcy in June 2009 they have emerged with a restructured focus on the hybrid market under new Fiat management. Plans initially made by Daimler Chrysler and Cerberus Capital Management to work the Dodge Ram pickup as a hybrid were changed.

Hybrids are quickly becoming a major part of luxury automakers production lines with the Lexus GS 450H and mid-range hybrids, 5 series and A6 from BMW and Audi.

Here are some hi-res photos of the Chrysler 300 sedan:

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The 2011 Chevrolet Volt received the North American Car of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show.The Volt beat out the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Sonata in the annual ceremony on the first day of media previews for the show.

Forty-nine auto journalists from the U.S. and Canada made the picks. The vehicles are judged on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. The Volts are being assembled in Detroit. GM predicts it will sell 10,000 of them in 2011 and between 35,000 and 45,000 in 2012. Last year’s winners were both Ford vehicles: the Fusion Hybrid midsize sedan and Ford Transit Connect. The Ford Edge received an honorable mention. This is the 18th year for of the Detroit Auto Show awards.

If you’ve been reading about the new ultra-low-cost vehicle in India, the Tata Nano, and getting ready to buy one when it comes to the US, you might be a little disappointed to find it will cost slightly more than a bag peanuts and Coffee Crisp.

When the Tata Nano received it’s official North American debut at the recent Detroit Auto Show, rumors swirled that the final price tag might be as low as $5,000. Unfortunately, an inside source has confided to the Detroit News that the price tag will actually look more like $8,000 when the car hits dealer lots in the US in 2013.

The base model cost of the Nano in India, where it’s manufactured, runs for around $2,000.

Under the hood the Nano boasts a whopping 2-cylinder engine that can run at 56 mpg and has a decent carbon dioxide output at 101 gm/km. Whether the Tata Nano can be considered environmentally friendly is another matter altogether though. Aside from still relying on gas, it’s low price tag will probably mean that thousands of people who relied on even lower emitting vehicles, like scooters and even bicycles, will be upgrading to the Nano.

The Detroit Auto Show has announced its North American Car of the Year and the prize has gone to the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The North American Car of the Year is awarded based on an assessment by 49 journalists. One of the judges, Csaba Csere, a writer for Car & Driver, described the Ford Fusion as “simply the best one (hybrid) ever built. In addition o delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car – and a very good one indeed.”

The Ford Fusion hybrid shared the top honors with another Ford vehicle, the Transit Connect, which won the award for North American Truck of the Year.

This marked the third time in 17 years that the same automaker has won both awards.

The Ford Fusion hybrid is a mid-sized sedan which, like all hybrids, has gas and electric capabilities. The Fusion can run on electric power alone for up to 47 miles and features a 2.5-liter 155 horsepower engine to kick in when needed. A basic model cost starts at $27,270.

The Detroit News is reporting that Toyota will be revealing a new hybrid vehicle, smaller than the Prius, at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show on January 11, the first day of the show.

Although Toyota is remaining tight-lipped about details, rumors persist that the new Toyota Hybrid will be a subcompact that will see production in 2011 and will be available for purchase in the US in 2012.

While Toyota is the largest producer of hybrid vehicles in the world, even they had a rough year in 2009. This was the first year they have ever had more recalls than any other automaker with a grand total of four million vehicles recalled. While the primary culprit of the recalls was a floormat that would jam the accelerator, the popular Prius is also currently facing a US probe over faulty brakes.

Considering Toyota’s success despite the recall setbacks, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are moving forward with subcompact hybrid. The Detroit Press’ inside source said that Toyota is confident in the new model and will start by producing 150,000 annually to begin with.