Detroit's Pony Car Dilemma

[Mr.DJ]

The Dodge Challenger show car, displayed recently at the 2006 Detroit auto show, is a direct throwback to the short-lived '70s model, but with modern design touches and underpinnings far more sophisticated than its earlier counterpart had. The Camaro show car has a retro feeling but is really a fresh design...

From a production standpoint, the Challenger might be easier to pull off than a new Camaro. Chrysler based the Challenger on underpinnings that it would share with the rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum and Charger and the Chrysler 300. The plant that builds the current models is currently on three shifts, meaning 300,000 per year production. A low-volume model like that Challenger could keep the lines running full if there is a slowdown in demand for the other models. Chrysler is not facing the risk or investment that GM would be making.

Read more here

Source: Forbes.com

[ND RAM]

That old muscle car era had its downside. When you put in bigger engines, other parts--such as radiators and frames--get bigger and heavier. The overall costs go up, and some of the lightness and simple fun can get lost.

What is he thinkin? Yes they are heavier but less fun? Has he ever ridden in one I wonder?

[firstmethod]

But thankfully DCX has more common sense than to listen to some armchair seer reading tea leaves. This guy is obviously neither a fan of the era nor of the cars themselves. I say stick to your Camry if it makes you happy and leave the real cars to the "boy racers" (snort). He grudgingly acknowledges the spectacular success of the new mustang (compared to any modern market segment, not just pony cars) and then turns around and questions the overall market size because it failed to match the all time sales record for 50 years running of 400,000 units. He holds up the Pontiac GTO as an example of what could happen but neglects to mention the main reason for its failure: it isn't true to the form. The guy thinks the challenger could fail because its "too retro". Give me a break. It will sail past even the wildest expectations precisely because it is "too retro".

We've been forcefed a diet of cheap ass beaters for almost three decades, so long most people can't remember what its like to drive an american car with class and presence. Then DCX steps up to the plate and gets flooded by a tidalwave of positive feedback with people demanding the car be built. And how should we interpret this enthusiasm..? Yeah I'm sure they're all lying Jerry when their only instinct is to throw their wallets at the DCX rep in the Dodge booth. Do the math.

The only thing he actually gets right is there needs to be a v6 base platform to compete with mustang for the teens and secretaries. But we on this board have been saying this for... what? months now.

[BigL]

Obviously the guy is not into performance pony cars. He probably drives a Caddy or Lincoln and just doesn't "get it". Detroit needs to listen to their true fans and produce the cars that they want. They have tried to copycat Japan and it just does not work! As for me, bring the new Challenger on and I will buy!

[rcaponong]

When you have 35-year-old vehicles being auctioned off for six figures these days, I’d say there is a market out there for them. For every one person who is willing and able to buy a classic muscle car from yesteryear, there are probably hundreds if not thousands who would love the opportunity if it came brand new off the showroom floor, within our budget and with all the safety features and creature comforts that their legendary predecessors lacked.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The question is not whether DaimlerChrysler can afford to build this car; the question is can they afford NOT to build it?

[Sr4tuner]

Originally Posted by ND RAM

What is he thinkin? Yes they are heavier but less fun? Has he ever ridden in one I wonder?

he said some, so he is not against muscle cars. I think he is talking about taking it to the curves it will still be more fun to go 70 around a corner in say...an srt-4 or 50 in a chally

[allhemi]

Originally Posted by rcaponong

When you have 35-year-old vehicles being auctioned off for six figures these days, I’d say there is a market out there for them. For every one person who is willing and able to buy a classic muscle car from yesteryear, there are probably hundreds if not thousands who would love the opportunity if it came brand new off the showroom floor, within our budget and with all the safety features and creature comforts that their legendary predecessors lacked.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The question is not whether DaimlerChrysler can afford to build this car; the question is can they afford NOT to build it?

OHHHHH SO RIGHT!!!!!!!

[WildBillTX]

"Would it be better to concentrate the money and manpower to develop stylish mass-market sedans and other practical vehicles to battle the challenge of Toyota, Honda and Hyundai?"

Thats why they are in a big mess in the first place. Detroit tried building these 'practical' cars (see any GM lot for proof) and people didnt buy them. Detroit needs to stop copying cheap imports, building bland cars all together and build exciting pure AMERICAN cars that the Japs and Koreans can never build.

Thats how Harley-Davidson has competed against the Japanese bike companies for years - build something unique that has personality, power and SOUL that they cant perfectally copy for a cheaper price. The Chrysler 300 fits this mold and so does the Challenger. I think its funny that people have been trading in thier Lexus, BMW's and (so ironic!) Mercedes and buying the Chrysler 300 Hemi instead. None of those imports have that big boy inside.

DCX may "test the waters" with the Challenger as a limited production car. But my bet is that the demand will so great for this car they will have to go full production to satisfy everyone. If DCX wants to compete head-to-head with the Mustang it cant be a limited production car. It has to be afforable too, which most all maxxed out Limited production cars aren't.. And it's "too retro"??! People in the USA LOVE the retro look. Get rid of these computer generated shoe boxes and design works of art like they did back in the 50's and 60's.

We need to ignore backward-thinking writers like this guy, and support magazines and webisites that want this car to happen.

[BigL]

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/mana...16_73813_73813
Automotive: Dispatches from Detroit

Paul Brent
writeArticleSource("January 16-29, 2006");From the January 16-29, 2006 Issue of Canadian Business Magazine
Standing on the brink of bankruptcy at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors seemed to ignore its predicament. Rather than focus attention on its attempt to relaunch big SUVs--the company's traditional money-makers--GM put the spotlight on its Camaro concept car. And both moves show the behemoth of North America's Big Three still doesn't get it. // Here's another writer that doesn't "get it".

[ND RAM]

Originally Posted by BigL

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/mana...16_73813_73813
Automotive: Dispatches from Detroit

Paul Brent
writeArticleSource("January 16-29, 2006");From the January 16-29, 2006 Issue of Canadian Business Magazine
Standing on the brink of bankruptcy at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors seemed to ignore its predicament. Rather than focus attention on its attempt to relaunch big SUVs--the company's traditional money-makers--GM put the spotlight on its Camaro concept car. And both moves show the behemoth of North America's Big Three still doesn't get it. // Here's another writer that doesn't "get it".

Honestly for GM their cash cow has been their SUVs for quite some time now and it would cost more to reintroduce a completely new car than to redesign their SUVs but is it just me or didn't they just redesign the Tahoe? I do agree that GM ignored their financial problems. They are asking a lot of the Camaro, which better work for them.