Chrysler LLC Tuesday announced that its large hybrid trucks will be priced nearly $8,000 below their competition from General Motors Corp.

The new 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrids offer a 25 percent better overall fuel economy and a 40 percent improvement in city mpg over their gasoline-powered twins.

The company said the 2009 Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid starts at $45,340 and the  2009 Chrysler Aspen Hemi Hybrid starts at $45,570.

The vehicle also will qualify for a hybrid tax credit estimated at $1,800.

The 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid vehicles are Chrysler's first entries in the hybrid market.

The vehicles are capable of towing 6,000 pounds and feature an electrically variable transmission, offering the best characteristics of an automatic transmission and hybrid drive, and two different hybrid modes of operation. Total output, when combined with the advanced two-mode hybrid system, is 385 horsepower and 380 foot-pounds of torque. In hybrid form, the Hemi continues to feature Chrysler's fuel-saving MDS technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly alternate between four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. The two-mode system provides assistance from electric motors, allowing the V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often than without a hybrid powertrain, improving overall fuel economy.

Built the Newark Assembly Plant in Delaware, the new vehicles arrive in showrooms in August.

More at www.chrysler.com.