Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Dodge
Dodge may build up to 10,000 Challengers next year
click above image for more teaser pics of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
According to Inside Line, Dodge claims it doesn't know where websites and blogs got the idea that it would only build 5,000 Challengers in 2008, the car's first year of production. We can tell you. Automotive News reported it back in late October, and then it was reported by Inside Line. Despite the confusion, the cross-hair brand claims the final production number for 2008 is not set in stone. That's probably because initial demand for its modern muscle car is high, with 6,600 preorders recorded in just three days. Now Dodge is saying it could build and sell up to but not more than 10,000 Challengers in 2008, though only a Limited Edition version of the SRT8 model with the five-speed automatic will be offered. After that, Dodge will add the other Challenger models available with the 5.7L HEMI and 3.5L V6. Production will eventually reach beyond 30,000 units per year. Hopefully for Dodge this initial high demand for the Challenger won't fall too much by the time it begins pumping them out en masse.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pete 1:45PM (12/07/2007)
30K a year really isn't THAT much. It's not like they're selling em like accords.
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Tool 3:24PM (12/07/2007)
Coupes are notoriously known for being hot sellers in the first 18 months then die off quickly.
There is only a limited market and once those buyers are satiated, the OEM is left with a big production hole.
I assume that Chrysler knows this and would rather keep production low and keep demand high instead of the old days of piling them up like cord wood.
psarhjinian 5:16PM (12/07/2007)
Chrysler will be lucky to get four months of sales out of the Challenger.
I'm willing to go on record that, after the end of 18 months and discounting the first quarter, this car will have sold fewer units than the Magnum did in it's last year.
MemphisNET 1:50PM (12/07/2007)
Now, when they say 2008 - do they mean 2008 models? (April to June 2008) or all vehicles built and sold in Calender year 2008 (April to Dec 31st)
Challenger has always been a lower-volume car. So I'm not surprised by 30,000 a year. Hopefully in the 2009/2010 time frame its initial grab-fest will die down enough that normal guys like you or I can buy them at normal, non-jacked prices.
Besides, the LC is a variant of the LY (replacement for LX) platform, so, even with relatively low numbers, its still a cash cow for them.
Does anyone know how many Mustangs are sold per-ann? Or Camaro's/Trans Am's in their last years?
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Joe 1:58PM (12/07/2007)
From what I've seen, Ford sells 140K+ Mustangs per year, including both retail and fleet sales.
MemphisNET 2:11PM (12/07/2007)
That's what I was thinking. And to the best of my knowledge, Camaro/TransAm in its final year was having problems getting 50k into the hands of customers.
I think these numbers are respectable until there's more demand. But who knows, it may take off beyond those who know about it, especially the V6 cars.
The new hemi's are due out for 2009 model year - and probably starting with the trucks this year.
Also, the Phoenix V6 motors with MDS will be nice in this car. The 3.5 is a good solid motor, and personally I thought it was fine in the 300/Charger/Magnum. But more power from less motor is always nice.
Hell, the V6 Mustangs aren't that bad, and the GM 3.6 should be good in the Camaro as well.
Chad 2:10PM (12/07/2007)
Are any of those "Mustang News" haters getting sick of Challenger news yet? :)
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MemphisNET 2:13PM (12/07/2007)
No, its all the American haters right now.
sw 2:15PM (12/07/2007)
No, as far as I know there isn't a new super duper mega ultra version reported on every couple of hours.
psarhjinian 2:54PM (12/07/2007)
Yup, but for different reasons. We got tired of the "Special Edition Mustang: this time with blue paint and stickers!"
The Challenger is tiring because we've seen this car pretty much fully unclothed for over a year. We've also seen it's basic chassis and engine. There's no suprise: it's a uglier, two-door Charger, which is an uglier, downmarket 300.
GM seems to have gone to ground with the Camaro. Good plan--people were starting to get sick of it.
AlexP 2:28PM (12/07/2007)
I'm not getting sick of the news, I'm getting sick of the retro crap (I kinda like the Camaro due to the mix of new and old, but it's not my kind of car) and Chrysler.
I ignore Mustang news because "OH LAWD NEW MUSTANG EDITION IT'S BETTER THAN EDITION Y AND Z COMBINED AND IT COMES STANDARD WITH RAINBOW CAMOUFLAGE" isn't news to me.
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sw 2:53PM (12/07/2007)
They can put in rainbow camouflage, but not something useful, like IRS, even on the GT500. I may be biased though, I've always thought of mustangs as a chick car right up there with the new beetle.
That One Person 7:07PM (12/09/2007)
The problems is that 99% of those "Special Editions" aren't even Ford produced vehicles.
Ford has something like five versions of the Mustang. Now count how many have come from companies like Roush, Steeda, Saleen, etc.
While I am excited about this vehicle, I have a feeling I may be saddened when I see the production version.
As for the Camaro. I am glad GM has stopped whoring that thing out. I don't think I am really excited about it anymore...
TriShield 2:38PM (12/07/2007)
The reason the top model is debuting first is because the Magnum has to die in order to make room to build more of these cars.
As the Magnum is phased out they will be able to produce more and more Challengers.
The 5.7L HEMI is going to get some big updates and much more power for 2009. Just in time for the Challenger R/T model to go head-to-head with the Mustang GT and Camaro Z/28-SS.
I would consider buying a Challenger R/T with the six-speed when it become available.
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FingerSled 3:12PM (12/07/2007)
When the six speed manual is available-and they are sitting on dealer lots- Im gonna buy one.
calebe 3:05PM (12/07/2007)
I'll wait for a small V8 with manual tranny, Celery Green with white interior.
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MemphisNET 2:13PM (12/07/2007)
Next-gen 5.7Hemi, Plum Crazy, matte black hood and white interior for me :D
FingerSled 3:17PM (12/07/2007)
PS--- I like the silver colour.
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Chris 3:27PM (12/07/2007)
put me down for a Go Man-GO! or Sublime Challenger R/T Convertible with a Charcoal Leather interior and titanium stripes.
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irloyal 3:46PM (12/07/2007)
Chrysler/Dodge vehicles have become plastic fantastics. Why pizz away $35K+ for the SRT8 when you can get the same cheap plastic on a basic hemi version for $5k less after the Challenger is out for 3 or 4 months.
I have a feeling that after people see the interiors of the Challenger, they'll spend their hard earned dough on a Mustang or Camaro that will look better, get better gas milage, have a decent re-sale value, and probably cost less as well.
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