The three of us talked for a few minutes and finally Dr. Doom presented us with a sheet of paper documenting my new vehicle. Flag-Smasher readily appeared, picked up the phone and wished us luck as he began dialing Chrysler financial; the call was abruptly cut short by my mother. Dr. Doom must have sprayed me with some kind of mind fog (new car scent, if I had to wager a guess); I was applying for a loan, the amount unknown. My mother, utilizing the common sense that I had been robbed of, asked the most simple of questions: “how much of a loan are we applying for?” The disappointment on the face of Flag-Smasher was unmistakable. Was I so anxious to get a car that I never asked for a price? Was the price of the car I so caringly “built” on the Jeep website nothing but a phony ploy to get me in the door? And then I remembered something, something I had heard many times before: Car salesmen are liars. I had simply forgotten that the website is nothing but an electronic car salesman, an e-liar. The number on that sheet of paper in Flag-Smasher’s greedy little hand, displayed in minuscule font, destroyed all faith I had in the rejuvenation of American car companies. $31,732! Didn’t the government just give Chrysler 4 billion dollars? This number shattered my dream of owning a car. I felt betrayed by Dr. Doom and decided to leave on the spot.

We were able to go for a ride in the Dodge EV and the Jeep ER-EV with Crysler's Douglas Quigley, executive of product engineering for ENVI (the Chrysler electric vehicle "start up") when we were in town last week, and you can see our video of the rides (no drives yet, sadly) after the jump.

In tribute to the heritage of the Jeep brand, the 2009 Jeep Wrangler retains the body-on-frame chassis, solid front and rear axles, removable doors, fold-down windshield and most-capable drivetrains that establish it as the most capable SUV.

Whether choosing a Wrangler X, Sahara or Rubicon(R) model, Jeep Wrangler customers experience best-in-class off-road capability in a true open-air sport-utility vehicle. Jeep Wrangler does not wander from the brand's coveted core values of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity.

With 68 years of legendary off-road prowess under the hood, the 2009 Jeep Wrangler doesn't sacrifice anything inside the cabin, offering safety and convenience features, interior space, versatility and comfort.

2009 Jeep Wrangler models add even more refinement with standard Hill Start Assist (HSA) that prevents rollback on a graded surface. In addition, available Trailer Sway Control (TSC) monitors vehicle movement relative to the intended path and activates the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) if the trailer begins to sway outside set parameters.

Chrysler LLC will show off the latest versions of the electric vehicles it unveiled in September. Back then, there were three vehicles: the Chrysler EV, a gasoline-electric version of the Town & Country minivan; the Jeep EV, a gasoline-electric Wrangler; and the Dodge EV, an all-electric sports car. All are products of the company's ENVI electric-car unit.

While General Motors is moving ahead with its Volt electric midsized car, Chrysler says it already has plans in place, not just for electric cars, but also for minivans and even off-road vehicles.

Chrysler's strategy hinges on keeping it cheap. The carmaker will dispense with flashy designs in exchange for low cost and flexibility. And it plans to pile on more electric-powered models quickly once the program launches in 2010.

"We aren't a one-electric-vehicle company," Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's vice president for advanced vehicle engineering, told CNNMoney in an exclusive interview.

We like Jeep because it’s a classic American brand that’s stayed true to its roots since it started. We’re especially fond of the open-aired nature of the Wrangler, which has always seemed particularly conducive to colorful experiences. So we’ve collaborated on a limited edition Lilly design. You can order one by request.

Asked after his speech at the Toledo rally whether any of those vehicles would be made in Toledo, Mr. LaSorda turned to glance at the shiny white Jeep EV - electric vehicle - prototype and said, "One is right there."

Chrysler unveiled three electric prototypes in September, including the Jeep EV, a minivan, and a sports car. But officials at that time said only one would be produced by 2010 and they declined to reveal which one or where any would be produced.

The Jeep prototype was a four-door Wrangler that seats five and runs on electricity, but has a back-up gas-burning motor to generate electricity once the battery charge runs out after about 40 miles of use. The so-called "range extended vehicles" rely on a lithium-ion battery system that plugs into a standard household outlet.

To make the vehicle would require retooling at Toledo Jeep, company officials said. But whether it would mean additional workers was unclear.

Toledo Jeep now makes two and four-door Wranglers and the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro.

On Thursday and Friday December 4th and 5th from 11am to 12 noon, Chrysler will showcase the Company's progress in advanced electric vehicle technology on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol with three ENVI vehicle concepts, one for each of its brands -- Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R).

On Thursday, the electric vehicles will be positioned on the North Side of the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill for display during the Senate Hearing. Lou Rhodes will be available for Q&A.

On Friday, the electric vehicles will be positioned in Garfield Circle at the base of Capitol Hill for display during the House Hearing. ENVI electric vehicle dvision Presidnet Lou Rhodes will be available during this session for Q&A.