GREAT NEWS for Viper (and our Pres. gets interviewed)

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Good sales news for Viper and our VCA President makes some comments.

World going to hell; some people want to drive Vipers there | Up to Speed | Los Angeles Times

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Great read. Thanks Lee. I am sure some of the reason is now is a good time to buy because of the super low prices. You can find 09's in the 70's and ACR's in the 80 and 90's. For those that have been holding on to their money waiting for the right time to buy saw that now is the right time to buy.

 

[kcobean]

I just KNEW Chris walked around the house in an Ermine robe!!

It is great news for Viper though! I'd love to see this convince Dodge to keep making them for another hundred years instead of sell the platform.

 

[RTTTTed]

Cograts to Chrysler. Guess this proves to those vette guys that us Viper guys are all knowing? More "Viper is NOT in danger of cancelling production". Just like I keep on telling them...

Viper is the BEST and FASTEST in the World. Since GM is no longer going to merge with Dodge, Viper production is safe.

Ted

 

[Warfang]

Something tells me Chrysler is turning on their PR machine to motivate the parties interested in buying the Viper brand.

 

[viperdrummer]

I guess I see this as a good article for Viper, but I think it is also proving the point that there will be no more Dodge Vipers. I am one of those folks who bought a Viper in January--an 09 for the very reason that I figured it was the last dance, so it was with kind of mixed emotions since I have owned vipers for 14 years.

I am now seeing dealers that I spoke with marking cars up i looked at in jan $5000 or so thus they must be taking note of the sales spike. The great ebay deals on 09s seem to be gone as well. (not just the resells in Tx)

 

[Blazeone]

Wow and I bought mine in December, congrats Viper Nation

 

[29OUTLAW]

Something tells me Chrysler is turning on their PR machine to motivate the parties interested in buying the Viper brand.

I think that's what's going on here. You practically give the cars away and then brag about how many you sold.

Back in March 2000 I bought a 2001 Dodge Ram. Yep - you read that right. A 2001 Ram in March of 2000. Dodge just used smoke and mirrors that year because they wanted to be the 2001 truck sales leader. Pretty easy to do when you sell 2001's for 2 years.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

That is an excellent post and article. Should stir some blood!!

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Something tells me Chrysler is turning on their PR machine to motivate the parties interested in buying the Viper brand.

Day late and a dollar short.

I wish they'd do a lot more of it.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Great article. Congrats Chris.

I agree that the positive sales is due to all reasons listed. But it still is a testament to how great the Viper is and what it personifies. Anything less than the big V10 and fat tires and the Viper would have never made it this far.

I really believe if it stays close to it's original no-frills, no compromises roots the Viper will live a long time regardless of who ends up owning the company.

 

[mike & juli]

Congrats, Chris on your fine article...tho you WERE caught in your ermine robe~!
I'm all for the Viper staying the RAWBEAST that it is...I think most of us agree there...let's just hope Viper lives ON. ~juli

 

[Bobpantax]

I think the most surprising thing about the article is that a socialist rag like the Los Angeles Times printed it. Note the negative comment about the gas mileage of the Viper which, if the reporter knew anything, he would know that it exceeds the gas mileage of the SUVs driven by the liberal leaning, environmental hysterics that tend to make up most of the readership of his paper.

 

[ViperTony]

"...fluffing his ermine robe..."

It's great to see our beloved president being quoted here...hopefull we'll see more input from our VCA brass in future articles out there.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

I just KNEW Chris walked around the house in an Ermine robe!!

Funny you should mention that, as the reporter and I were yukking it up for a while. At one point it went down like this:

ACE REPORTER: So how does it feel to be king and all?
VCAP: Well, I am reading the Journal as I fluff my robes and polish my scepter...

And the rest, as they say, is history.

As far as the rest of the article (which I thought was pretty darn good), I don't think that the media is trying to shine light on the Viper to help the pending sale, nor is Chrysler. If you read the article that came out on Tuesday you will find that they are apparently in the "due diligence" phase and already have three offers locked in. So other than reassuring the bidders (unlikely to be a factor at this stage or for such a huge deal), Chrysler has no real reason to add more press to the model. The truth is, this writer really likes the Viper, has visited CAAP, and was astounded when he heard that little factoid (74% increase) when the rest of the industry tanked. Newsworthy? You betcha!

To quote the great ***** Wonka, "So shines a good deed in a weary world..."

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Note the negative comment about the gas mileage of the Viper which, if the reporter knew anything, he would know that it exceeds the gas mileage of the SUVs driven by the liberal leaning, environmental hysterics that tend to make up most of the readership of his paper.

Actually, he knows it very well - it was even a topic of discussion, including the fact that the Viper get better gas mileage now than it ever has in its history. But because he works where he does and because the readership is what it is, he added that little bit. No harm, no foul!

 

[Warfang]

Great article. Congrats Chris.

I agree that the positive sales is due to all reasons listed. But it still is a testament to how great the Viper is and what it personifies. Anything less than the big V10 and fat tires and the Viper would have never made it this far.

I really believe if it stays close to it's original no-frills, no compromises roots the Viper will live a long time regardless of who ends up owning the company.

Correct on all fronts. I'd just like to add that you can discount a pile of **** 90% and it STILL wont sell. Take a couple grand off a Viper with a perception of it being close to an end... people WILL buy.

 

[RTTTTed]

Build the Fastest in the World and they will buy it, is my motto.

Owning the fastest road car in the world is definitely bragging rights.

Ted

 

[JonB]

Asked for an explanation, Chrysler's chief flak expressed bafflement. "I really don’t know," said Rick Deneau. "It’s a bit of a mystery."

In pursuit of revealed truth, UTS reached out to Viper Club of America President Chris Marshall , who was just fluffing his ermine robe when we called. "I don't really know, either," he said. But he had some ideas...

I puzzled for years over the abiguous published sales numbers and producton numbers of Vipers... Automotive News and sister AutoWeek just dont flow or make sense with other brands with huge numbers....and cumulative Viper numbers dont add up to reality unless over a longer sample period.

There is a simple and obvious reason why Jan 2009 Viper sales exceeded Jan 2008 Viper Sales:

In Jan 09, we were buying 2008 and 2009 Vipers, from good dealer stocks, with some AARPs.

But in Jan 08 what were we buying? Scant Leftover '06s; No '07; Few '08 stock had built up by Jan '08.

Wait til you see FEB numbers....you're gonna have to call him back and brag even more!

It is great that the LA Blogger is a fan, and GREATER STILL that he pinged the VCA for input..........but "Now you know the REST of the story".......

Late Edit P.S. Dodge CLEARED OUT CAAP pre-Christmas. Over 100 Sold Vipers (finally) arrived at dealers in Dec-Jan, where eager owners paid for and registered em = Jan 09 sales. And "Dealer Stock" for the big EP++ Feb Sale. DONT MISS OUT !!!

 

[Bobpantax]

Actually, he knows it very well - it was even a topic of discussion, including the fact that the Viper get better gas mileage now than it ever has in its history. But because he works where he does and because the readership is what it is, he added that little bit. No harm, no foul!

In other words, he has no journalistic integrity and is little more than a word ****** with a lap top. There is harm because the data was willfully cast in a false light. He should be ashamed of himself. I doubt that anyone woud have said anything if he mentioned that the Viper's MPG was high not only for its segment but when compared to many other vehicles.

 

[sween]

Autoblog has a small thing on this as well, great news!

 

[VIPER 93]

Great read. Thanks Lee. I am sure some of the reason is now is a good time to buy because of the super low prices. You can find 09's in the 70's and ACR's in the 80 and 90's. For those that have been holding on to their money waiting for the right time to buy saw that now is the right time to buy.[/quot

I would like to see a link for an ACR "in the 80's" brand new

 

[ASPIRATIONS]

Great read. Thanks Lee. I am sure some of the reason is now is a good time to buy because of the super low prices. You can find 09's in the 70's and ACR's in the 80 and 90's. For those that have been holding on to their money waiting for the right time to buy saw that now is the right time to buy.[/quot

I would like to see a link for an ACR "in the 80's" brand new

+1,lol

 

[HI-NOS-Viper]

Great read. Thanks Lee. I am sure some of the reason is now is a good time to buy because of the super low prices. You can find 09's in the 70's and ACR's in the 80 and 90's. For those that have been holding on to their money waiting for the right time to buy saw that now is the right time to buy.[/quot

I would like to see a link for an ACR "in the 80's" brand new

+1,lol

Well it is gone but there was one that went for 89. It was an 08 but it was last month. I guess it wasn't brand new that it had about 100 miles on it.

 

[RTTTTed]

In other words, he has no journalistic integrity and is little more than a word ****** with a lap top. There is harm because the data was willfully cast in a false light. He should be ashamed of himself. I doubt that anyone woud have said anything if he mentioned that the Viper's MPG was high not only for its segment but when compared to many other vehicles.

You may be right Bob, but with this economy maybe he needs his job? You know how many vette writers ther are out there? Sheesh 9balls says he's a mag writer and he rants and raves about the Z06, here on this site!!!

Ya know?

I try to make up for it because I've written a dozen or so good/great Viper articles for DD ™ Your 1-stop resource! in an attempt to make up for those that are too scared to drive a Non-nanny car, LOL.

Even wrote a few for Viper mag where they'll hopefully be appreicated more than all those Chevy guys that read C&D, etc.

Long as we have our Ultimate Cars - LIFE IS SOOO DAMN GOOD!

Ted

Ted

 

[Warfang]

In other words, he has no journalistic integrity and is little more than a word ****** with a lap top. There is harm because the data was willfully cast in a false light. He should be ashamed of himself. I doubt that anyone woud have said anything if he mentioned that the Viper's MPG was high not only for its segment but when compared to many other vehicles.

Word ******....

BUWAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!


I bow to your superior smartassedness!

 

[Mopar Boy]

Congrats Chris on the article, and nice job on having better answers than Chrysler staff did to the reporters question on the Viper market!

Robert

 

[OzeViper]

i sure hope Dodge decides to keep the viper, some day I want to buy a DODGE Viper hehe

 

[99 R/T 10]

i sure hope Dodge decides to keep the viper, some day I want to buy a DODGE Viper hehe

If I were you, I would get the car you like now. If Dodge does end the production of the Viper, prices are going to jump fast. This quote is telling:

To clarify, Ive tried to be at the forefront of 'tips' to everyone on 08-09 stock deals for AARP, WalMart(gone), EP pricing, and 0% CF deals, $1000 VCA Bonus, and the value of using a VCA-Dealer. I've also urged those who DO want an '09 to order ASAP, because it WILL be a rare year, and perhaps even the final 'Dodge' Viper.

 

[viperpalmer]

The real pat on the back goes to all you out there who made those numbers possible. I know I am not the only one who will really be crushed to see the end of this absolute beast of American know how and performance. Kudos to you all. Hopefully we will be talking in the future on how this boost in sales saved the Viper from extinction?