Filed under: Tuners, Supercars, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge, Earnings/Financials
Dodge to begin negotiations to sell Viper brand shortly
Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR
While most of us would be more than happy to own just one Viper, some lucky company will soon take the entire operation off the hands of Chrysler, LLC. We hear there are multiple interested parties, and according to Vice Chairman Tom Lasorda, Chrysler is looking to begin real negotiations within the next few weeks. It's hard to imagine a Viper coming from a manufacturer other than Dodge, but there has been talk that the iconic American sportscar could be gobbled up by a well-known tuning firm, or even a group of investors. Whatever happens, we just hope that the Viper -- as a car or as a brand -- continues showing its formidable fangs and doesn't end up a mere shed skin of its former self. You can check out our First Drive of the Viper ACR or our In the Autoblog Garage review of the Viper SRT-10 to see just what we think about Dodge's supercar.
Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR
[Source: Just-Auto - sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cary 1:32PM (9/25/2008)
"Let me get out my check book..."
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stevereportdotcom 1:34PM (9/25/2008)
Since we have other competitors that out shines the Viper brand such as the ZR1, GT-R, M3 and CTS-V to name a few, I will offer $10 for the Viper brand.
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pmalloy4391 2:00PM (9/25/2008)
I wouldnt agree with that statement one bit. Each car in your line up (except maybe the M and the CTSV) are intended for different audiences
vette - refined sports high tech
GTR - import fan sports high tech
viper - old school brute force no frills, low tech (in the scheme of things)
CTS and M - sport sedans
it really is apples and oranges
Zeus.:God 2:04PM (9/25/2008)
I agree, pmalloy- that and the fact that the Viper is a better performing car...
wumpus 9:33PM (9/25/2008)
I would like to further point out that this is the ultimate "drivers car". The GT-R -V -OMGWTFBBQ might have higher performance, but only because the car will interpret your intention and chauffeur itself around.
This makes it a great halo car and rather useless for profit as the market of people with both the money and skills is small.
tj 1:40PM (9/25/2008)
excellent move, likely to end up with both parties happy.
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Andi Baritchi 1:41PM (9/25/2008)
This is a big mistake for Dodge.
The Viper is their icon.
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simianspeedster 2:02PM (9/25/2008)
I strongly disagree. The Dodge brand and most of Dodge's cars have very little in common with the Viper car. My guess is that the Viper project makes little money or loses substantial money because the car sells in very small numbers but requires a decent R&D effort.
I understand how halo cars are supposed to work, but Dodge, the brand and the line of cars, is too disconnected from the Viper to have any meaningful, positive impact. They don't even make another sports car -- they make a few cars that go fast in a straight line, but nothing related in any way to the Viper.
If Cerberus can spin off the Viper to keep the car alive, enthusiasts win and the investors can focus on the very serious problems facing Chrysler/Dodge.
-SimianSpeedster
Cary 2:17PM (9/25/2008)
I agree with you for the most part Simian.
The exception would be R&D costs. I would expect [in the grand scale] that the R&D costs on this car are very low. Consider if you will how little has changed on the car. The major R&D was paid for by Daimler before they broke up. They're solid for another few years if they wanted to keep it. However, you're right about the investors. This will allow them to be more focused on what really needs to happen with the Pentastar brands.
chrisdavis 3:35PM (9/25/2008)
Sell it while it's somewhat strong rather than let it whither on the vine. Specialty companies can manage this platform and race it. Just supply the power and it's still Dodge enough to be a halo while engineers are focused on more critical projects. SMS Viper Powered by Dodge. Works for me. Worked for Ford and the Shelby Cobra, right?
500 10:41PM (9/25/2008)
I'm going to wager a guess that the vast majority of those bemoaning the decision to sell the Viper have forgotten that Chrysler announced the cancellation of the Viper months ago. So this is a win-win situation; funds-starved Chrysler makes money on a model they were going to cancel anyway, and Viper enthusiasts get to see the model live on.
Bungle 1:48PM (9/25/2008)
How about Tata? The "Tata Viper" has a nice ring to it... ;-)
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Torrent 1:49PM (9/25/2008)
Just like GM and HUMMER, getting rid of it is a big mistake, because they are icons, and are way too well known to dispose of.
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Andee 1:50PM (9/25/2008)
Worst case scenario. Why they have to sell Viper? They should make a contract with option to buy Viper back.
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Say What? 1:50PM (9/25/2008)
Oh no! Say it isn't so!
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Zeus.:God 2:07PM (9/25/2008)
Say what?
Corey W. 1:52PM (9/25/2008)
Time to start looking for a 99 GTS, blue with the white strips.
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Brad 3:56PM (9/25/2008)
That was my favorite model and color combo also.
Dave 5:19PM (9/25/2008)
Except for the fact that the blue/white Viper (gen 2 GTS) was only made in 96 and 97 :)
Adam Marcello 1:57PM (9/25/2008)
By an ACR now if you can afford it. Those are gonna go up in value for sure after any deal goes down.
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