Didnt Chrysler say the same thing about the Charger?

[BigDaddyWiz]

didnt dcx say that the charger was going to be a limited run model like they are supposedly saying about the up coming challenger? i know i shouldnt assume anything until we hear from dcx themselves, but i hope they just do the limited run thing the first year, then based on sales, offer a base model (v6) to compete with the mustang base model, then the 5.7 hemi to compete with the mustang gt, 6.1 hemi to compete with the gto, and finally a 6.4 hemi to compete against the shelby mustang gt500.

[DawgByte]

NO LIMITED RUN!!! Your plan doesn't say which model comes first.

They need to come out of the gate serving the customer, which means they should provide enough vehicles to meet expected demand and prevent dealers from ripping off the consumer by jacking up the prices. Out of the gate they need to launch the 6.1 R/T Hemi. The next year introduce the 6.4 and then, just maybe introduce a V-6 in the third year. Personally, I would vote NO on the V-6 and replace that option with a convertible.

The Challenger is never going to compete on the same level as the Mustang from a sales perspective. It's a niche car... always has been and always will be. Having said that, if they price the 6.1 at $29-33K there's no reason why they couldn't sell 100,000 of them the first year.

[Yankee]

I don't recall DCX saying anything like that about the Charger - why would they? The Charger replaced the Intrepid, which was their bread-and-butter mid-size sedan, so it would only stand to reason that the Intrepid's replacement would be their bread-and-butter mid-size sedan also - and that's not something you offer in limited numbers, by any means. Perhaps you were thinking of the SRT-8 version - THAT of course is offered in limited numbers, but it'd be awfully foolhardy for DCX to limit the Charger itself.

And I also have to respectfully disagree about offering the Challenger as a limited-production model - even if DCX only does it the first year I think it would ultimately be a mistake in the long run. One need only look at the Mustang's sales success as to why it wouldn't be the right thing to do.

Think about it - if in 2005 Ford only offered its new Mustang in the GT version in its first year without offering a V6 version that more people could afford, its sales would be less than half of what it was. Ford could then argue that there's not enough interest in this car and ultimately kill it. The Challenger HAS to be competitive if it is to survive - and that means NOT limiting it. I'd actually rather see the car be delayed until ALL versions (V6 and Hemi V8 versions) can be offered at the same time (if it comes to that, I hope it doesn't). Even though I want the 6-speed SRT-8 version, I still believe that offering ONLY that version, even just in the first year, would ultimately be detrimental to the car's long-term well being.

And I don't want to see that happen - not after all this time.

[firstmethod]

Adding yet more fuel to the fire... I'm crossing my fingers and hoping these weblog comments
are all BS but if not its an ill conceived move by DCX. (shakes head in disbelief)

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php...ments=1&id=550

[WildBillTX]

Ever since SUV and Truck sales exploded in the 90's, Detroit has had this annoying stigma that 2-Door cars dont sell anymore. They let the Camaro, Firebird and also the (89-97) Thunderbird get too old and sales dropped.

This stigma is proably why DCX gave the Charger 4 doors only and going the limited production route for the Challenger. I guess the brains at DCX are scared this car isnt going to sell and thats a damn shame. It should be DCX's answer to the Mustang, not the Thunderbird. I just hope the demand from dealers will be be huge for this car when its announced, and DCX changes it's mind.

[Sublime 340]

I was shocked and disappointed at the "Go, but limited R/T 6-sp only" rumor, too.
In a way, though, it could make sense to strike while the iron is smokin hot and the buzz is deafening.
It can be moved to production more quickly on the existing LX line, but Brampton is already full capacity, and couldn't rapidly add any large volume of production.
So why not produce a small volume of the most sought-after model,
while additional powertrains are lined up and production capacity is expanded for future volume production?
[Seems like i saw somewhere dcx had purchased additional land at Brampton. For parallel production line, maybe?]

It could be kinda like expanded pilot production for a year or so till full production could be brought online.

If true, i hope it does'nt result in the stillbirth of the concept, with everybody getting the idea that Challenger is just another viper /prowler /ssr /whatever toy that real people can't afford.

[Mike Penner]

Originally Posted by Sublime 340

So why not produce a small volume of the most sought-after model,
while additional powertrains are lined up and production capacity is expanded for future volume production?

This is what everyone is hoping for I think. The idea of a limited production first year is not too surprising given the complexities of bringing a new car to market. It was mentioned as a possibility by allpar from day one but I think the decision to go that way caught a lot of people flatfooted (including myself). Maybe they have reasons for not coming out of the gate with guns blazing, I dunno. Combined with comments from hemidakota and others it sounds like they're planning a ramp up after the Y1 issues are resolved and not the limited production crap this guy is blogging about.

Originally Posted by Sublime 340

If true, i hope it does'nt result in the stillbirth of the concept, with everybody getting the idea that Challenger is just another viper /prowler /ssr /whatever toy that real people can't afford.

For this DCX will have to step up and deliver something definitive, maybe a press release to put the limited production rumors to rest.

On a more interesting note hemidakota just posted the following tidbit on SRTForums.com. According to sources the 2008 Viper HP rating will be 700. Interestingly, that opens up a major gap between the 6.1L 425 HP hemi and the 8.4L 700 HP monster. Pure conjecture: a (slightly) detuned 392 6.4L could fill the sweet spot in the performance lineup at 475-500 HP.

Originally Posted by hemidakota

According to the latest round of inside information and rumor control, the Dodge Viper for 2008 will remain on the same platform - code 'ZB'. The latest powertrain tweaking, along with some minor changes to the suspension, braking, wheel package, and some additional added downforce aero packaging, the next Viper will reap the latest [code EWE] 700-HP 8.4ltr engine to propel it to top of the hill again. Raw muscle…raw power for the sport car enthusiasts.

... tried to post a link but it doesn't work. Its in the general forums under "Future Products... read and heed"

[Sr4tuner]

Originally Posted by Yankee

I don't recall DCX saying anything like that about the Charger - why would they? The Charger replaced the Intrepid, which was their bread-and-butter mid-size sedan, so it would only stand to reason that the Intrepid's replacement would be their bread-and-butter mid-size sedan also

So you can also say the challenger will replace the stratus

[ekool]

I see full production on the regular Challenger and a limited run on the SRT8 model of the Challenger.

As it is, DCX cant keep up with demand on the 6.1L motor -- thus the shortage of vehicles in the SRT8 lineup. (backlog on Grand Cherokee SRT8 vehicles is like 4 months!)

[wirewilly]

I don't mean to sound nasty, but, how can anyone hope to see a $30,000 6.1 Hemi Challenger when they are selling Magnums ( we are talking 4 door station wagon here ) for $38,000 base?! If they can produce a $30,000 6.1 Hemi, I WILL BUY 2 !!!!!!!!!