No Dodge Challenger for Europe, limited production for U.S.

[E-Body]

No Challenger for Europe it seems (not that surprising)

The one part of the article that disturbed me was that they once again made it a point to mention "Limited Production" for North America.

Are they hinting at possibly even lower numbers?

I can hear the gouging already.


http://www.leftlanenews.com/no-dodge...on-for-us.html

It is being reported that the upcoming Dodge Challenger will not be sold in the European market and will only be made in limited numbers for the North American market. The decision was made by Chrysler’s new owners, Cerberus Capital Management, who overturned plans made by the previous management.

The production version of the Dodge Challenger will debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto show, with production starting later in the year.



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Is this the same old statement or are there perhaps new decisions being made?

[ResumeSpeed]

I don't think Cerberus had anything to do with "cancelling" overseas production plans for the Challenger, as I don't believe there were any plans in the first place for Challenger export models, at least not initially. As far as "limited" production goes, I bet plenty of base V6 and V8 models will be built by the time the second model year rolls around while upper models will be limited.

[Cuda340]

Maybe the "limited production" refers to the 2008 models. I certainly hope that the Challenger will not be another Prowler!

If they all sell quickly, I can't see why Chrysler wouldn't want to amp up the production (and profits) for 2009. Otherwise, they will lose customers to Ford (Mustangs) and Chevy (Camaros).

[Handmouth]

I think they will crank out the challenger just like chevy will crank out the camaro. It's all about making money, and they need it.

[JonW]

Originally Posted by Handmouth

I think they will crank out the challenger just like chevy will crank out the camaro. It's all about making money, and they need it.

That's what I'm hoping. I'm not buying it as a collector investment car, I'm buying it to drive. But I won't pay over MSRP, period.

[Handmouth]

Originally Posted by JonW

That's what I'm hoping. I'm not buying it as a collector investment car, I'm buying it to drive. But I won't pay over MSRP, period.

Same here. If I wanted a collector car I would fork over the big bucks and buy a 70's model and then stick it in a museum.

I plan on buying a new challenger and driving the hell out of it.

[firstmethod]

Originally Posted by Handmouth

Same here. If I wanted a collector car I would fork over the big bucks and buy a 70's model and then stick it in a museum.

I plan on buying a new challenger and driving the hell out of it.

It seems like there will be some unpleasant surprises when this car comes to market, I think the B pillar will wind up being the least of the issues.
I have a feeling the news about Europe is only the first shoe to drop.

[Rallye72]

Originally Posted by firstmethod

It seems like there will be some unpleasant surprises when this car comes to market, I think the B pillar will wind up being the least of the issues.
I have a feeling the news about Europe is only the first shoe to drop.

I think you are correct. First of all I don't think we're going to see much of anything in 08 sitting on a showroom floor as an "08", I think they'll hit the showroom in Aug/Sept as 09 models.

I also think the mention of Cerebus selling off the Mopar Perf segment of the business is indicative of little support for the performance segment and a cost cutting exercise that doesn't bode well for the long term.

Finally, I suspect that they've opted for the low production high profit margin course of action. It is after all a niche market car.

Hope I'm wrong in all above but I'm not optimistic given what seems to be emerging.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by firstmethod

...I have a feeling the news about Europe is only the first shoe to drop.

What "news" about Europe? As I mentioned, export models were never in the plans for the 2008-2009 models.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by Rallye72

...I also think the mention of Cerebus selling off the Mopar Perf segment of the business is indicative of little support for the performance segment and a cost cutting exercise that doesn't bode well for the long term...

They are NOT selling off the Mopar performance segment...