Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Saleen's new owners in the running for Viper acquisition?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/08/saleens-new-owners-in-the-running-for-viper-acquisition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/08/saleens-new-owners-in-the-running-for-viper-acquisition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/08/saleens-new-owners-in-the-running-for-viper-acquisition/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR

Saleen's future has been in upheaval the last few years. First, company founder Steve Saleen left, then the company's assets were sold off to private investors. Its new owners plan to continue making superchargers and bolt-on parts, but Saleen's turnkey Racecraft and S lines could face the axe, while the company's former keepers retain ownership of its supercar manufacturing business while they figure out what they can do with it.

Meanwhile, Chrysler has been looking to sell of its Viper operation, but while Saleen could have been a contender in years past, in its current condition few expect it to make such a large acquisition. That may be a false assumption, however, as silence is speaking louder than words. Understandably, Chrysler's management is not disclosing the identities of the three potential buyers with which it is discussing the future of the Viper enterprise, but Saleen's new owners are likewise refusing to comment. That kind of silence can be as deafening as a Saleen exhaust note, leaving us to wonder if the company's new owners could turn the broken shards of a once-great American company into a new powerhouse with the Viper packing the punch.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Saleen's new owners in the running for Viper acquisition? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler saleenchrysler viperChryslerSaleenChryslerViperdodge viperDodgeVipersaleensaleen viperSaleenViperviperSun, 08 Feb 2009 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Saleen, Roush potential buyers for expandable Viper range]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/14/saleen-roush-potential-buyers-for-expandable-viper-range/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/14/saleen-roush-potential-buyers-for-expandable-viper-range/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/14/saleen-roush-potential-buyers-for-expandable-viper-range/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Viper ACR

While sales of the Dodge Viper may be down, Chrysler President Jim Press insists that buyers have been lining up to buy the entire operation. Among those potentially interested are American powerhouses Roush and Saleen. The latter, it's worth noting, is already involved in making the Viper, painting the cars off the assembly line. Whatever company ends up buying the Viper operation, Chrysler expects to make anywhere from $50 million to three times that before it vacates its Conner Avenue plant by the end of 2011, and has hired financial firm Lazard Limited to handle the sale.

Potentially of equal interest will be the opportunity, as Press sees it, to expand the Viper line-up. We're not sure what else you could make on the V10 sportscar platform, considering that convertible, coupe and hard-core track-day versions are already in line-up. But we'd sure be interested to find out.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR


Gallery: Review: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10


[Source: Car and Driver]

Saleen, Roush potential buyers for expandable Viper range originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cerebus viperCerebusViperchrysler conner avenuechrysler viperChryslerConnerAvenueChryslerViperdodge conner avenuedodge viper roushdodge viper saleenDodgeConnerAvenueDodgeViperRoushDodgeViperSaleenroush viperRoushVipersaleen viperSaleenVipersms viperSmsViperviper for saleViperForSaleSun, 14 Sep 2008 12:38:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler may sell Dodge Viper rather than kill it]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/report-chrysler-may-sell-the-dodge-viper-rather-than-kill-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR

The Dodge Viper has been Chrysler's halo car since it was introduced back in 1992, but times are tough. Faced with the fact that it might not be able to continue making the brutish sports car, the Auburn Hills-based automaker is reportedly considering doing something that's never been done before by a domestic automaker (as for as we know): selling the Viper's future to a third party. Automotive News quotes Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli saying, "We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper." Nardelli claims that whatever happens, his company will work to make sure the best interests of Viper fanboys are served and that Chrysler would continue to offer "operational and financial" support for the car if a transaction takes place. We're honestly a little stunned that Chrysler would consider such a drastic action, though if it means the Viper won't be sacrificed at the altar of economic woes, we're all for it. On the other hand, how does one separate Dodge from the Viper? Can you imagine Ford selling the Mustang to ROUSH or GM selling the Corvette to Lingenfelter? Chrysler has not identified any of the Viper's suitors, so rather than a familiar tuning house, it could also be a conglomerate of investors or another automaker. Is a Viper sold by another brand still a Viper?

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

REPORT: Chrysler may sell Dodge Viper rather than kill it originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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