DaimlerChrysler is a wee bit closer to putting some retro muscle into its lineup with the Dodge
Challenger. Automotive News hit up Chrysler Group's executive VP for global sales and marketing, Joe
Eberhardt, for a few answers regarding the pony car, and Eberhardt says that the company may have come up with a viable
business plan for production.
As expected, the plan involves building the car on the Magnum/300C/Charger platform, which would require a small expansion in production. Price point for the niche vehicle would come in above the mass-market Ford Mustang, and whereas the Mustang only sells V8s in about 30 percent of its vehicles, Dodge would offer V8s in all or almost all of its Challengers.
[Source: Automotive News via Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Roy @ Apr 25th 2006 8:23AM
So they have decided to compete against Charger rather than take on the Mustang? Brilliant!
Gary @ Apr 25th 2006 8:51AM
Lol! And forget the Camero. Lets just chase our tail.
Gary @ Apr 25th 2006 8:55AM
Lol!. And forget the Camaro. Lets just chase our tail.
tom @ Apr 25th 2006 8:57AM
The pony cars of the 60's and 70's were built on larger sedan chasis. The Mustang was the Zephyr underneath for almost 15years. This is true to the genre, I believe, am I wrong here? I just think it's great that automakers are reviving these lovely cars, just in time for the boomers who saw them as children, are entering retirement and looking for an emotional buy. Now that's "Brilliant." Also, this is another segment that is brilliantly US. The minivan, the family station wagon, the pony car, the four door convertible, the SUV, are all US automaker inventions that expanded autos into the hearts and homes of millions here and worldwide. Nice to have an updated version for DCX, can't wait!
Michael G @ Apr 25th 2006 9:03AM
So your saying Dodge is going to compete against its self? I thought the whole point was to steal away market share from the revised pony car segment.
njshift @ Apr 25th 2006 9:14AM
The other posters see "Magnum/300C/Charger platform" and assume the car is going to be a 4 door. News Flash, auto manufacturers have been building coupes on their current production sedan chassis for ages. The Challenger will directly compete against the Mustang and upcoming Camaro.
jayray @ Apr 25th 2006 9:14AM
I hate all the "baby boomer" marketing tactics. Wake up fellow boomers... we're being taken for a marketing ride.
Vinny @ Apr 25th 2006 9:22AM
This and the current Mustang have been the only vehicles that have made me even look at pictures of domestic cars. If they stay true to the prototype, my considerations would be Honda, Toyota, Nissan and the Challenger. The Challenger only for fun. Not for the same reasons that I look at Honda, Toyota or Nissan.
Poe @ Apr 25th 2006 9:46AM
I like it a lot... but if it's not competitive with the Mustang GT price-wise, it WILL fail.
Tankstelle @ Apr 25th 2006 9:53AM
I'm so surprised by all the positive reactions to this car. It just screams white trash to me, but I live in the Northeast and am probably out of touch with the tastes of those in the South and Midwest. Hey if it'll sell, build it.
JJ @ Apr 25th 2006 9:57AM
This car is not competing with the charger, from what i've heard they'll be using the same chassis but with a few modifications (like shortening the current chassis by a few inches) They've been saying they were going to do that all along.
and as this being a two door... id oubt the overlap of Challenger/Charger buyers will be huge. I mean people buy 4doors for different reasons than they buy 2 doors.
and as for the price range if all the cars are V8's then yes it'll be above the base price for the mustang. dont forget a vast majority of the mustangs sales are the V6 versions.
Dm @ Apr 25th 2006 10:04AM
There are people (including me) lining up to buy one of these. What nobody can understand is why DCX is taking so long to announce they are officially going to build it. I mean they are making comments on what the pricing is going to be but yet we don't know (officially) if they will build it. Sheeesh.
Oh, and if you don't believe me that the market is there, take a look here.
http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/index.php
SGV @ Apr 25th 2006 10:04AM
Too bad is so damn ugly.
Corey W. @ Apr 25th 2006 10:05AM
I'd have to agree, something doesn't sound right. I love the Challenger, but what market are they looking at? And with news that SVT is not going away, they definitely need to be competitive with the Mustang.
Puff Chippy @ Apr 25th 2006 10:05AM
This car will succeed, although on a more limited basis. Not everyone wants to drive their neighbors 6 banger Mustang and will be willing to pay a little more for something special. If I didn't have a need for 4 doors I'd buy one in a second over some snoresville Hontoyotasan.
Tim @ Apr 25th 2006 10:16AM
Tom (#3) The early Mustangs (at least 65-70 for sure, and probably through 73) were built on the Ford Falcon platform.
Optimus Prime @ Apr 25th 2006 10:22AM
ugghhhh
Not knowing what a Challenger is, this car does nothing for me. It just upsets my stomach ... it would be like riding around in some life-sized HotWheel.
JJ @ Apr 25th 2006 10:27AM
How can you guys not like the styling of the challenger? it has all the same cues to the old styling as the current mustang does. Now if you're not into retro then i understand... but not reason to call the car ugly which is most certainly is not. If you consider this car ugly... the mustang and camaro concept (not to mention most cars) must do nothing for you.
Corey W @ Apr 25th 2006 10:29AM
You know a V6 with good MPG would not be such a bad idea.
Santino @ Apr 25th 2006 10:32AM
its just funny how the charger/300/magnum and the soon to be in production challenger are all based on a near 15 year old platform, which were the worst platforms ever made by mercedes. one mans garbage is another mans treasure i guess.