Sergio m. Ceo: Challenger cannot continue - Dodge Challenger Forum: Challenger & SRT8 Forums

mr.jason · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 03:56 AM

I stumbled across 2 articles on challengerblog.com where the big guy CEO Sergio M. specifically discusses the future fate of the Challenger going forward...

Its because of the CAFE Government regulations, his hands are tied behind his back and has no choice but to discontinue the car to meet the 35 MPG standard for ALL cars and light trucks by 2015-16.

By 2025 CAFE will require a 55MPG average which is going to change the entire auto industry...

He is not happy about it...especially since he drives a 392 Challenger as his daily driver (as stated in his interview) which says something because he could drive ANY car he wants even the expensive Alfa Romeo or Masaratti...but he drives a 392 Challenger...very cool I might add...

Nothing was mentioned as to how this will play out in the articles regarding if the Challenger gets sized down and brought back or the Barracuda or some other name plate will replace it...

If CAFE is forcing these changes it's probably a sure bet Charger and the CHY 300 will also see a similar fate in the near future due to size and weight.

If you like the Challenger as it is in it's current form you better move on one soon...I did.

**bwbike** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 04:31 AM

. . . or they will limit the production to just a few thousand cars per year.

ZardozSpeakstoYou · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 08:02 AM

I believe that interview was from a while back but I agree that the days of big thirsty V8 cars is going to be gone very soon. Its just the way it is and we all know its coming. Sooo, if you are on the fenceabout a Challenger, you had better buy one now because Im pretty sure it will be gone by the end of the 14 model year. These are the glory days folks. They will probably hang on to the Charger/300 line a bit longer because they sell lots more of them including police versions.

Randy M · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 08:11 AM

Well if the Challenger can't continue then SRT can't with it's current products either. If Cafe standards are the issue then the 300 and the Charger are an even larger issue than the Challenger as they sell more of them.

Dadstoy · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 08:21 AM

I thought these mpg rules was accross the entire product line. if someone like crysler has 10 models that average 40mpg and 2 models like the challenger and viper and the overall average mpg based on sales volume is still higher than 35mpg they are OK.

noz34me · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 08:23 AM

This same discussion was made in the 1970's. Cafe' standards didn't exist then, but there were other dynamics. 40+ years ago, and look where we are now. Nearly 400HP V8's that get about the same gas mileage as a '65 VW Beetle or the Corvair.

No doubt there will be some impact, but I've got my Challenger so there's no impact to me, other than to maybe make my car worth more if I ever decide to sell.

**JohnRogers** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dadstoy

I thought these mpg rules was accross the entire product line. if someone like crysler has 10 models that average 40mpg and 2 models like the challenger and viper and the overall average mpg based on sales volume is still higher than 35mpg they are OK.

That is the basic understanding of the situation.

workerunit · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 10:58 AM

Well, if they have to kill the Challenger, we can thank our current president for it.

Elections have consequences.

**RRHemi** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 10:59 AM

So wouldn't the entire SRT brand be done?

Big D · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2012, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by workerunit

Well, if they have to kill the Challenger, we can thank our current president for it.

Elections have consequences.

workerunit....welcome to the forum, how about let's stick to the subject of cars and leave your political dislike out of this. They have a forum for political opinions but this is not the one. We have supporters of the President and some that do not like him, but one thing in common we all have and why the forum works so well is because we love challengers.....what kind of challenger do you have, any mods? have you introduced yourself....come in as a nice guy not some blame the president for everything kind of person....if you are driving a challenger and are working chances are the last few years have not been too bad for you...so share your car passion with us and leave the nut talk out of this.
later and welcome