Dodge Announces Production #'s for 2008 Challenger...

[mopar2ya]

Official Production Number Announced for 2008 Challenger
Date posted: 01-21-2008

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler has announced that it will build 6,400 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 coupes for the United States, with a few more slated for Mexico and Canada.

In October 2007, it was reported that Chrysler intended to produce a limited run of just 5,000 units of the 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter Hemi V8-powered Challenger, while just three weeks ago, Chrysler told Inside Line that it had already received more than 9,000 orders for the 2008 model.

Dodge has priced the Challenger SRT8 at $37,995, including a $675 destination fee. However, with what has become an issue of supply and demand, expect real-world sales transactions to skyrocket.

What this means to you: If you're not already at the top of the 2008 list, better look to next year. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

see the article here: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124421

Well... not 5,000 but not 9,999 either...

[mopar2ya]

With these production #'s I would guess top selling dealers will possibly get 3 units, mid level dealers would likely see 2 units, and the lower volume dealers will still see 1 each based on Chrysler's initial allotment announcement.

That said... anyone not listed as #1 on thier dealer's list might want to contact the dealer to find out where this puts thier allotment... Cheers!

[JonW]

So what happens to the remaining 2008 orders. Are they automatically bumped to the top of the list for '09s?

[TBONE24]

Looks like Chrysler is trying to curb the gouging by the dealers.

http://wardsauto.com/reports/2008/na...t8_challenger/

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by TBONE24

Looks like Chrysler is trying to curb the gouging by the dealers.

http://wardsauto.com/reports/2008/na...t8_challenger/

Sounds like a good idea and first step in re-training and re-'ducating the dealers !! As for the ones that may be left without a 2008 SRT Challenger even though one has a written order with required $$deposit [if needed ]; Chrysler doesn't have to fulfill those if producing more than "their" SRT production limit would cut into the 2009 Challenger production schedule { and maybe other vehicles as well : and thus interrupt Cerberus' profit taking schedule !! !

[Dodgedude]

Still you would think if they have orders for them they would build them, the market and the money/orders are there.???? next year isn't guaranteed.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by JonW

So what happens to the remaining 2008 orders. Are they automatically bumped to the top of the list for '09s?

Yes. But the lag in production time between the 2008 and 2009 models is going to be very short.

[mopar2ya]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed

Yes. But the lag in production time between the 2008 and 2009 models is going to be very short.

If that's the case... who gets bumped, and do they get first option on the '09 models? Is there a way to tell from order status code who's in for the '08 and who gets bumped? How might that all work?

[anorth45503]

wonder how many preorders were from dealers and how many from customers??

[Cuda340]

The production number news is also on redletterdodge.com. Here is the text:

"So the cat is out of the bag! We are going to build 6,400 Dodge Challenger SRT8’s for the 2008 model year. It was our most asked question this past week at Barrett-Jackson. It seems the collectors knew this car was going to be special and early indications are supportive with the first two Challengers selling for nearly a combined $600,000! A shocking amount given the production model has still yet to be revealed.

The volume and market timing trace their origins back to the Challenger feasibility study which was underway while the Challenger concept was still setting the auto show circuit ablaze. While manufacturing and engineering dictated market timing, we decide that the right go to market plan for Challenger was to launch as a short 2008 model vs a long running 2009 model. We had 35 years of pent up demand for Challenger and we felt the right approach was to hit the market with a bang - an exclusive limited-edition short run model that would begin to build the next Challenger legacy! To help indicate the exclusivity of this model, each vehicle will wear a unique interior dash plaque, 1 of 6,400 similar to the plaques on the Charger Daytona and Super Bee.

With customers clamoring for the car we knew we had to build enough to satisfy the years of demand but also limit the volume to keeping it exclusive. And although we have orders in excess of our planned production, not every dealer who is going to receive a Challenger has its order in yet. If you are interested in a 2008 Challenger, check with your local dealer. As we’ve said before, there’s plenty more for Challenger fans to look forward to as well.

Watch for the production unveiling on February 6th at the Chicago Auto Show -and if you can’t get to the Windy City, you can bet RLD will carry the photos."