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Chrysler hopes to double sales outside the United States over the next few years by developing vehicles equipped with high-speed internet access.
"Just about anything you can do with your home computer, you'll be able to do in your car," said Frank Klegon, executive vice-president for product development.
The carmaker sold just over two million cars worldwide last year, around 9 per cent outside the US. It wants to double non-US sales over the next five years, while also taking a bigger slice of the US market.
The technology Chrysler is working on allows driver and passengers to download songs, access websites and digital road maps, and check email while on the move.
It moves the information superhighway to the actual highway and follows a trend to equip devices other than laptops and cellphones with internet access.
Klegon said the technology would be similar to Wi-Fi or Wi-Max, the next step in wireless technology.
Whereas Wi-Fi works only in a limited area like a hotel, Wi-Max has the potential to work where there is a cellphone signal. This gives Wi-Max an enormous advantage over Wi-Fi.
Klegon said Chrysler would likely work with several providers in the US who were working on fourth-generation mobile phone internet technology.
He said the technology offered a secure connection for wireless software upgrades, something that rivals Ford and General Motors are also working on.
Klegon didn't say when or in what vehicles the technology would be introduced. It would have to be soon if Chrysler is to stay with the competition - Ford's Sync system in the US can already transfer music from an iPod using Bluetooth.
Chrysler pointed to its high-tech future by taking the covers off three all-electric concept cars the ecoVoyager, Jeep Renegade and Dodge Zeo, equipped with wireless technology.
Each uses lithium-ion battery packs coupled to electric motors. The ecoVoyager also makes use of a hydrogen fuel cell. The Renegade has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder Mercedes-Benz Bluetec diesel engine to help it on its way.
Chrysler says the ecoVoyager has a range of 500km, the Zeo comes to a halt after 400km, and the Jeep can cover 70km on battery alone, but 620km all-up with the use of the diesel. It says the Jeep is capable of 2.5 litres/100km, or 110mpg. The Renegade uses twin electric motors producing 200kW and driving all four wheels. Low range and locking differentials takes it into the rough stuff. The 1.5-litre diesel produces an extra 85kW. Inside and out, the Jeep uses recyclable materials, a mix of aluminium and composites. The doors and seats are soy-based.
The interior is designed to be hosed down. Formations built into the floor channel water to a drain on the passenger's side.
"The entire vehicle is designed to minimise the number of parts necessary for assembly and function," said chief designer Scott Anderson.
"We designed the Renegade with an eye towards simplification of systems, in parts and processes."
Klegon said the three concepts weren't just design toys. "Chrysler has a history of bringing its concepts to production."
