Cerberus Kills Dodge Viper

[csv8]

According to Jalopnik, yes. We reported yesterday that as a part of Project Genesis, Chrysler was planning to cut more models in addition to the PT Cruiser Convertible, Pacifica, Crossfire and Magnum. Jalopnik is reporting that, according to several of its sources, the decision has already been made that the Dodge Viper SRT10 will be cancelled, as well. The decision was reportedly made after Cerberus took control of Chrysler and was not part of the automaker's future product plans prior to its split with Daimler.

While the current 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 just received an update for 2008 that includes a new version of its iconic V10 engine capable of producing 600 horsepower and a track-ready ACR model, it was only ever meant to be on the market for another two years until the fully redesigned next-gen Viper bowed. Since that's reportedly not going to happen, the Viper will reportedly be sold as is through the 2011 model year.

The Viper has never been a cheap car to build, being assembled by hand at the automaker's Connor Avenue Assembly Plant. The obvious argument for killing the halo car is that money spent on developing the next-generation Viper could go towards better interiors and more appealing designs for bread and butter models, the sales of which keep the lights on at the company's Auburn Hills, MI headquarters. The Viper, however, has always been more than just a halo car for Chrysler, it's been a symbol of what the company can do when it's firing on all cylinders. If this report is true, to see it cancelled indicates just how lean these times really are for Chrysler under its new management.

[Source: Jalopnik]

[fou_bleu]

Aww! With a bit of luck Ceberus win a few billion in the lotto to put towards some of my fave models!

[XR8putts]

They should discontinue all their other models and only produce the Viper!

As crude as it it, the Viper is one awesome car.

[Bossxr8]

Boo. Dumb move. Its a halo car for the rest of the range.

[RG]

Silly move killing your performance models. Look what it did to Ford Aus in the 80's. They need something to attract buyers to the brand. Killing the halo car is not a wise way to attract buyers or followers.

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by puts99

They should discontinue all their other models and only produce the Viper!

As crude as it it, the Viper is one awesome car.

my thoughts exactly.
next it will be the 300C.
who employs these dimwits? that make these awful decisions?

[Laminge]

They can use the motor in the new crossover planned for 2012 then, no loss really cannot fit into one with looking over the windscreen anyhows..

[Nikked]

I saw 'Cerberus' and thought a new TVR model had came out that woopped a vipers 4rse...

[Paxton]

Boo. Kill the Sebring, not this. At Least the Viper looks half good.

[Ruger]

Chrysler: The next Kia company.

[bangm001]

Yeah i agree, My cousin here owns a 97 RT/10 and its just in a league of it own, in every respect.
The viper started off as just a concept that was a project for a few of the "Car Guys" that worked in chrysler, and they did alot of it in their own time, hopefully this can continue and make some more car guys money if chrysler kills it..

[Fairlane]

Killing the Magnum, killing the Viper.

Well they are idiots, theyd better keep Challenger and 300C or there will be a lynching. Whats the bet that put more money into Suv's and pickups and then winge that they cant reach CAFE standards and no body is buying their cars either in or outside the US.

[chevypower]

They might have to kill the Viper for now. Dodge no longer uses the 8L V10 engine block in the RAM Heavy Duty, so i doubt it's going to continue developing it, when it's an old-tech engine that probably can't meet emissions laws. I don't think it's seen as a hero car for the brand which is seen as a truck brand. I think with the Challenger, they can remove the Viper for a while. It's not like any of us are actually going to see one let alone buy one. The Ram Mega Cab 6.7L Cummins 4x4 is a good hero vehicle. It actually meets past the 2010 emissions laws.

[ClevlndStemer]

Cerberus are not a car company as such, they're a business, they're there to make money, to turn Dodge/Chrysler around. If they see the way to turn the company around is to build A to B cars then so be it.
They want MAXIMUM return on their investment.

[GS608]

stupid idea, when you hear Dodge, you think Charger, Viper and Challenger, they better not kill off the charger or the 300C, The magnum looks a million times better than the 300C wagon, should have kept it!!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by csv8

The Viper has never been a cheap car to build, being assembled by hand at the automaker's Connor Avenue Assembly Plant. The obvious argument for killing the halo car is that money spent on developing the next-generation Viper could go towards better interiors and more appealing designs for bread and butter models, the sales of which keep the lights on at the company's Auburn Hills, MI headquarters.
[Source: Jalopnik]

if this statement is true then not killing it would have the same end result! maybe worse in that all models would dissappear as would chrysler. you can't keep building cars if they're not making money. we've seen this in our own backyard with the lwb ford models.

[Quasi]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Killing the Magnum, killing the Viper.

Well they are idiots, theyd better keep Challenger and 300C or there will be a lynching.

Funny you should say that. After reading the original post the first thing I thought was whether this means the new Challenger will become a limited run after all.

As for other models, yes I think that there are a few that could quite happily cease production without too many caring (like the Sebring).

[TZENU]

Wouldn't expect anything less from a bunch of cardigan wearing, number crunching Chrysler management team.

[plext]

Originally Posted by RedXR347

Silly move killing your performance models. Look what it did to Ford Aus in the 80's. They need something to attract buyers to the brand. Killing the halo car is not a wise way to attract buyers or followers.

Ford in the 80's? Market leadership and profits? I didn't see that as a bad thing at the time.

We are enthusiasts here, generally performance oriented. Only a very small segment of the buying market is so aligned. Do you really think people are flocking to Toyota because of TRD, or is more to do with perceived quality and features?

While I am sad to see the Viper go, Chrysler needs to be a volume car maker to survive. Spilling funds into a low volume special is not going to save them, but spending wisely and developing mass market cars with broad appeal will. It remains to be seen if they manage to do this, but it is realistically the common sense approach.

[apolloxbgt]

With all this talk of the 380 going,now dodge are dropping the Viper and turning stodgy again,maybe they could enter into an agreement with MMAL and start building the mighty Chrysler Sigma as a hero car again!

[Zed7fiddy]

At the same time it seems Cerberus is considering selling jeep to the indians

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/c...out-jeep-brand

[Quasi]

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

With all this talk of the 380 going,now dodge are dropping the Viper and turning stodgy again,maybe they could enter into an agreement with MMAL and start building the mighty Chrysler Sigma as a hero car again!

With a descent V6 I say.....why not?!

Originally Posted by 84RGE

At the same time it seems Cerberus is considering selling jeep to the indians

Do you know how odd that sounds?

[TUF_302]

This is basically just shooting yourself in the foot!

[schnoods]

Killing the magnum was an ok move, only has a v6 in it..

The Viper is a logical move, I dont think they move that many units anyway, just dont kill the Challenger.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by plext

Ford in the 80's? Market leadership and profits? I didn't see that as a bad thing at the time.

my guess is he's talking about the XF-ED falcons, volvos on valium and no GTs :togo: