Unfortunately, bad news keeps coming from Chrysler.  The carmaker just made an announcement that its assembly plant in Newark, Del. will shut down at the end of 2008 indefinitely.  The shutdown of this complex will result in 1,000 people losing their jobs.  This plant produces the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango, which are two full-size SUVs.

Chrysler officials haven’t yet said if this will be the end of those SUVs, or if they are going to be produced at another plant.  However, knowing that it would be costly to move production of the SUVS, it is likely that the two might be discontinued.

What does this mean for motorists?  This is likely, the elimination of two SUVs in an already diminishing segment.  In the meantime, the Dodge Durango and the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid were launched last August as Chrysler’s first attempt at hybrid cars.  These are the least expensive full-size hybrid SUVs out there, which each start at around $45,000 including new car warranties.