At the annual Los Angeles Auto Show, Chrysler LLC introduced two new hybrids and announced that start/stop technology will soon be available on a portion of its stable of vehicles.

The company's executive vice president of product development, Frank Klegon, speaking with Automotive News said vehicles he termed "micro hybrids" would be selling "pretty" soon.

With the start/stop technology included in the engine as an option costing potentially less than $1,000 per vehicle, the expected fuel economy increase would be as much as 5 percent.

Additionally, Chrysler unveiled the 2009 Dodge Durango Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, both outfitted with two mode systems that will allow the vehicles to operate with electric power at speeds under 25 mph before the gasoline engine engages.

Both of the new hybrids feature a 5.7-liter V8 generating 385-hp and are equipped with electrically variable transmissions. Improvement in fuel economy for both in-town and highway driving combined should be 25 percent with city driving alone seeing a jump of some 40 percent. The new vehicles will be available by the middle of summer 2008.

Klegon, in remarks concerning the introduction of the new hybrids said, "There is a whole trail of things coming behind them. You will see introductions of mild stuff as well as more applications of the Two Mode."