September 19, 2008 - 1:11 pm ET
DETROIT -- In mid-August, members of Chrysler LLC's dealer council got a big surprise when the company let them drive an electric vehicle that could compete with Chevrolet's Volt hybrid.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the entire dealer body may get to see that car as part of a national dealer telecast at 100 theaters across the country.
Chrysler has invited dealers to participate in a large-scale national telecast -- something new for the company.
Last year, dealers traveled to a show in Las Vegas.
Steven Landry, executive vice president of North America sales, sent a memo Sept. 16 inviting dealers to the meeting and listing movie theaters in their area.
In the memo, Landry said dealers will see Chrysler's "clear vision for the future and share with you some exciting, cutting-edge product!"
Chrysler declined to confirm reports in The Wall Street Journal that an electric car would be shown during the telecast. The automaker has put its electric-vehicle development arm, called ENVI, on the fast track.
Chrysler showed three electric concept cars at the Detroit show in January.
Chrysler has said it will have seven new products in 2010 but has not said what they are, and co-President Jim Press has hinted at plans for an electric vehicle.
There are pressing issues on dealers' minds beyond new vehicles, including the credit crunch, Chrysler Financial's tough new rules on floorplan loans, aging inventory and consumer loans.