Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli seems to recognize that the automaker he's at the helm of needs to reduce its dependence on trucks and SUVs and begin offering more fuel efficient cars. Remember that Chrysler recently made a deal with Nissan to get a new small car in exchange for a full-size truck platform. Nardelli would be interested in more of these cooperations, according to the Detroit Free Press. Nardelli said, "We are accelerating our technology in response to the environment. We can't bet on every technology as some companies can. Hybrid, electric -- if you're at the roulette table, those are the two numbers we're betting on."

According to reports, Chrysler would like to offer something in the same vein as the upcoming Chevy Volt, an electric car with a small engine which recharges the battery for additional range. Chrysler has plans to introduce its first hybrid vehicles, which are, oddly enough, full size SUVs which use similar technology as the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Need to know more about how to design hybrid vehicles? The University of Michigan has an offer for you. The U of M will host an intensive course on the "Design and Control of Hybrid Vehicles" at the end of May to teach participants how to "dynamically analyze, simulate, and design for hybrid vehicles." This dynamic method can be applied to maximize a hybrid vehicle's fuel economy, and U of M states the course will cover powertrain and systems implementation. The dynamic model method has been used on six concept vehicles in the last eight years and there was one example of the process being used to design a hybrid that had an increased fuel efficiency of 46 percent compared to the standard version of the vehicle.

Sound interesting? Sign up here. The three-day course will set you back $1,895. More details after the jump.

Remember that email sent out in August by a Bush administration official that urged government employees to buy fuel-efficient vehicles? And do you recall how that list of proposed vehicles happened to not include many built by American automakers? The official. Joe Ellis, the Department of Health and Human Services' assistant secretary for administration and management, has now apologized, according to the AP.

Ellis' apology letter says that, "I deeply regret that our newsletter offended anyone, especially those Americans working in the automobile industry and the millions of people who make American automobile manufacturers successful."

Politicians, especially those from Michigan, made some hay over the email. Michigan Republican Congressman Dave Camp, for example, said the e-mail was "way out of line."

C'mon, people. What's more out of line - not making fuel-efficient vehicles of bitching and moaning when someone draws up a list of fuel-efficient vehicles that, because your cars suck gas, doesn't list your company's wares? And anyway, Ellis' original email - unless it's been changed online - does include mention of the "Ford Ranger pickup truck, Dodge Caravan 2WD minivan, and Ford Escape hybrid SUV." Still, that email does focus on foreign cars because, by and large, they're more fuel efficient. I guess killing the messenger will never go out of style.

Earlier in the story:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urges green cars in email to employees
• Michigan house members unanimous against HHS newsletter

[Source: Ken Thomas / Associated Press]