challenger dead?

[Bloody Guts]

or are they just issuing a response because they don't want to give it away too soon?

http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=747

 

[srothfuss]

That is really fuuny. I am very sure that there will be a 2 door Challenger in 2009 as a 2010. I bet they are bluffing since they got caught with their pants down so to speak...

 

[Notchbck93]

Currently no plans to produce Challenger Concept


That's the dumbest statement ever. What is it in the picture then?

Haven't they already created?

 

[JonW]

They've already admitted that it will be on display at the auto show in January. They'll have to build it because the public will go nuts for it.

 

[srothfuss]

I think that statement was more of a DCX PR bluff than anything. The Chrysler design studio (Product Design Office = PDO) usually is very good about keeping concepts / future plans under cover until 3 months before launch. This one though, must have escaped them and I bet some people got in a lot of trouble for having the car out in plan sight without camoflauge on.

 

[crewwolfy]

No doubt some heads are rolling for this, but it is three months before the January auto show. Seems right on time for a leak.

 

[tjredgt2000]

Whether or not the Challenger gets to market may depend on the price of gas over the next few years. How many can they sell if gas is $3.50 - 4.00 a gallon versus today's $2? I wouldn't want to be the product manager who has to make that call.

 

[I8URVTEC]

They wouldn't make a prototype if there was no plans to make one. He is probably just buying time so they won't have to answer a million questions. I am sure there will be a Challenger around 2010. How much it will look like that prototype though I guess no one knows.

 

[tjredgt2000]

According to the 12/5 Newsweek (arrived in the mail today) article about Chrysler, the Challenger will be introduced in '07. Its a bit vague but it can certainly be interpreted that way:

"LaSorda intends to boost Chrysler's sales by 1 million cars by 2010. Phase 1: next year's new-model onslaught, which will see Jeep double its offerings and Dodge return fire on the Mustang with its own retro-cool Challenger musle car."

 

[Mickey21]

If it were my betting dollar, I would wager that they leaked the pictures and information themselves. And are now discounting it to further create more buzz to determine the market's desire to have such a car... Sounds like a perfect plan to me and a plan I am sure they would find works to their advantage... If buzz is what they want over the upcoming Challenger, that is what they will get... Remember the "concept" Charger? All they wanted was talk... We all know now it ended up looking nothing like that concept... Oh well... Just a thought...

 

[I8URVTEC]

Jeep is doubling it's offerings? I haven't heard anything about that. I know they have the commander but doubling it's offerings would be like 4 more Jeeps. I haven't heard anything about that.

 

[srothfuss]

Jeep is doubling it's offerings? I haven't heard anything about that. I know they have the commander but doubling it's offerings would be like 4 more Jeeps. I haven't heard anything about that.

Current line up includes

Wrangler
Liberty
Grand Cheeroke
Commander

Future Plans:

FWD suv (Think Toyota Matrix / New Neon sized but with AWD as an option)
FWD suv (Small Cheeroke reintroduced)
Replacement for the Liberty due in 2007
Jeep Truck

 

[86bluecobra]

Whether or not the Challenger gets to market may depend on the price of gas over the next few years. How many can they sell if gas is $3.50 - 4.00 a gallon versus today's $2? I wouldn't want to be the product manager who has to make that call.

there are always those who don't care so much about gas prices. look at everyone modding there stangs for instance.

 

[DaNd4Speed]

Current line up includes

Wrangler
Liberty
Grand Cheeroke
Commander

Future Plans:

FWD suv (Think Toyota Matrix / New Neon sized but with AWD as an option)
FWD suv (Small Cheeroke reintroduced)
Replacement for the Liberty due in 2007
Jeep Truck

Are any of those future plans include the Jeep Compass? If that's the case, sweet! I loved the concept!

 

[GT-03]

No doubt some heads are rolling for this, but it is three months before the January auto show. Seems right on time for a leak.

These leaks are always intentional. It gets them some free publicity, and a chance to gauge customer reaction.

Its more likely that heads will get fat bonuses.

 

[GT-03]

Future Plans:

FWD suv (Think Toyota Matrix / New Neon sized but with AWD as an option)
FWD suv (Small Cheeroke reintroduced)
Replacement for the Liberty due in 2007
Jeep Truck

Yea the rumors are...

The replacement Wrangler, which will include a 4-door model.
The replacement Liberty (and its new twin, the Dodge Nitro)
The Jeep Scout (two door Liberty similar to Compass concept)
The Jeep Patriot (smaller than Liberty... not "trail rated")
The Jeep Scrambler/Gladiator/Bute/Rescue pickup


Though, as with the S197 Mustang, schedules slip and what was expected for later in 2006, becomes then 2007, and finally 2008.

 

[SVTdriver]

They wouldn't make a prototype if there was no plans to make one. He is probably just buying time so they won't have to answer a million questions. I am sure there will be a Challenger around 2010. How much it will look like that prototype though I guess no one knows.

While I cannot say they will not make it. Do you have any idea how many prototype/concept cars have been built. Without ever making it into production?

 

[lethaljay]

Another Article:

Here's another article about the Challenger:

http://macleans.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=52574&pg=1
A couple interesting quotes:

"DaimlerChrysler announced Monday that it will debut a two-door muscle coupe concept - one of ten concepts for 2006 - at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Appropriately, fitting in with the automaker's popular muscle-car scene, the car will bear another famous name from the '70s era: Challenger. VP of Advance Product of Design, Tom Tremont, said, "With Charger we have a muscle sedan, with Challenger, a muscle coupe."

AND

" When the car hits production sometime in 2007, expected yearly production would be between 5,000 and 10,000 units commanding a higher premium. If this is indeed true, there would be no need for a V6 variant; the Challenger would be all HEMI V8 through and through. "

 

[351CJ]

These leaks are always intentional. It gets them some free publicity, and a chance to gauge customer reaction.

You are correct, the leaks are intentional.

But the real reason for the leaks is to try to kill some Mustang sales, with the hope that some customers will wait to see what happens with the Charger.

It's a pretty common marketing tactic in many businesses, not just automotive. If you have a competitive product today, you say nothing about your future products.

But if you don't have a products that competes well with someone else's hot product today, you start leaking information about your future product(s) to try to slow down sales sales at your competition.

 

[SVTdriver]

You are correct, the leaks are intentional.

But the real reason for the leaks is to try to kill some Mustang sales, with the hope that some customers will wait to see what happens with the Charger.

It's a pretty common marketing tactic in many businesses, not just automotive. If you have a competitive product today, you say nothing about your future products.

But if you don't have a products that competes well with someone else's hot product today, you start leaking information about your future product(s) to try to slow down sales sales at your competition.

Kinda like the rumors about a new camaro?