Chrysler studies challenges to building Challenger...

[Mr.DJ]

...says gas prices not concern

DETROIT -- If buyers want the car, rising gasoline prices will not dissuade the Chrysler group from putting the Dodge Challenger concept into production.

The 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 coupe was one of the stars of the Detroit auto show. The concept draws on styling cues first seen on the 1970 Challenger. It shares a platform with the rear-drive Chrysler 300.

"If gasoline is $4 a gallon and the market said this would be a great business case, we could do it," said Eric Ridenour, Chrysler's COO. "If the market says it is not, then we probably won't."

Ridenour, who headed product development and quality before being named COO in September, said fuel efficiency will play a bigger role in Chrysler's product decisions. But he added: "That does not mean that that will be the only factor in the customer's choice."

Despite fluctuating gasoline prices, Ridenour said demand for the automaker's SRT line of performance vehicles remains strong. There are no plans to reduce SRT's current or proposed future product line.

He said customers continue to look at a number of factors when purchasing a vehicle. Those factors include styling, reliability, handling, ride, passenger space, fuel economy and, in some cases, performance.

"Fuel economy is a parameter, but it is not the only parameter," Ridenour said in an interview at the Detroit auto show.

While not naming specific future models, Ridenour said, "We have some that will be on the more sporty end and therefore won't be the best fuel economy, but still might be fuel-efficient within their segment."

Source: AutoWeek

[ChuckG]

...says gas prices not concern


Ridenour, who headed product development and quality before being named COO in September, said fuel efficiency will play a bigger role in Chrysler's product decisions. But he added: "That does not mean that that will be the only factor in the customer's choice."


"Fuel economy is a parameter, but it is not the only parameter,"

When I was at the Detroit Auto Show, the girls on the DCX displays were emphasizing speed and preformance.

I then wandered on over to the GM section, and right as you walk in, there is a girl talking about a new GM hybrid and explaining how it works and the gas it will save. There were less than 10 people listening to her talk.

It was a stark comparision. DCX is stressing speed and performance. GM is stressing fuel economy.

Now let me think for a moment. DCX is making money and increasing their market share. GM is loosing their shirts and their market share.

Maybe the GM big-shots should spend some time at the auto shows and actually talk to people.

[Vanishing Point]

...what are we suppose to be seein' here in this picture,..the bald spot on the back side of some guys head?!

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by Vanishing Point

...what are we suppose to be seein' here in this picture,..the bald spot on the back side of some guys head?!

Just a comparison between the crowd the Challenger was drawing and GM hybrid's crowd. And I thought everyone was so concerned about gas milage. May be the tree huggers were out hugging that day.

Yeah, ye old baldie should save his money for a transplant. Screw the car.

[allhemi]

Originally Posted by ChuckG

Just a comparison between the crowd the Challenger was drawing and GM hybrid's crowd. And I thought everyone was so concerned about gas milage. May be the tree huggers were out hugging that day.

Yeah, ye old baldie should save his money for a transplant. Screw the car.

LOL!!!!!!! Thats funny!

[stewprime]

ChuckG: Thanks for the picture (seriously)....but next time, get the girl in the shot!

[OhioChris]

Originally Posted by ChuckG

Just a comparison between the crowd the Challenger was drawing and GM hybrid's crowd. And I thought everyone was so concerned about gas milage. May be the tree huggers were out hugging that day.

Yeah, ye old baldie should save his money for a transplant. Screw the car.

When I went to the Detroit Show there were just as many people at the Chevrolet Camaro concept, as there were at the Challenger concept. Maybe a few more.

Comparing the Challenger crowd to a hybrid Chevy Subrurban crowd isn't a fair gauge.

There was also quite a few people at the Ford GT500 Shelby. Even though they didn't, and wouldn't, open the hood.

I love all muscle cars from the Big Three. The more they make, the better the World will be.

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by stewprime

ChuckG: Thanks for the picture (seriously)....but next time, get the girl in the shot!

Her she is. Not bad...nice bod:

[stewprime]

Hehehhe...

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by OhioChris

When I went to the Detroit Show there were just as many people at the Chevrolet Camaro concept, as there were at the Challenger concept. Maybe a few more.

Comparing the Challenger crowd to a hybrid Chevy Subrurban crowd isn't a fair gauge.

There was also quite a few people at the Ford GT500 Shelby. Even though they didn't, and wouldn't, open the hood.

I love all muscle cars from the Big Three. The more they make, the better the World will be.

Chris- You miss understood me. Maybe I wasn't clear in what I was trying to say.

DCX was stressing speed and performance (except the minivan) in their vehicles. Even the Imperial girl was saying it had a top speed of 160 MPH. You walk over to the GM exhibit and the first thing you see is a girl talking about hybrids. I just thought it was a comparison on what DCX is doing and GM is doing. It has nothing to do with vehicle comparison. It has everything to do with corporate philosophies. It just struck me odd, that's all.

I didn't see the Camaro. I like it though. And I've owned many, many more GM products than DCX products.

As far as the GT 500 goes, there was hardly anyone around it when I was there. But I like it as well. Take a look: