Is '08 the Last Year?

[fireball]

I just heard a rumor - that I hope isn't true.

A marketing guy in my client's office just got back from golfing with some Chrysler guy. The Chrysler guy indicated that Viper production was to end after the 2008 model year.

I doubt that the new Chrysler management has even had time to look at this but has anyone heard anything? I did a search on this forum without success.

 

[dave6666]

Elvis said the same thing when I saw him at Krispy Kreme this morning. Must be word.

 

[29OUTLAW]

About six months ago a Dodge dealer asked me if I was buying a new 07.

 

[mike & juli]

About six months ago a Dodge dealer asked me if I was buying a new 07.

THAT is outrageous--there IS NO '07!!!!! Weird.....hope also the Viper continues, which I will fervently hope for...it's in its own niche...nothing else like it....BUT it's a small market for Chrysler/Cerberus...but here's to hope!!! ~juli

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I've said this for a long time....I feel 2010 will be the last Viper

 

[mike & juli]

I've said this for a long time....I feel 2010 will be the last Viper

Why 2010, Chad? ~juli

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Gee, I was just in Detroit ( with lots of other Viper Owners ) , talking to a bunch of Chrysler Marketing guys, and other executives just last weekend.One of the gentlemen, who happended to be in accounting. asked what I did and I told him I sold Vipers. His immediate comment was, " That will be the last thing we ever cut!!!"

Have a nice day, sleep well , and don't let the rumor bugs bite!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Why 2010, Chad? ~juli

No factual reasons, just a gut feeling I guess. But, if I was good at picking #'s at random, well I would've hit the lottery a longggg time ago, so take my guess with a grain of salt.

 

[mike & juli]

No factual reasons, just a gut feeling I guess. But, if I was good at picking #'s at random, well I would've hit the lottery a longggg time ago, so take my guess with a grain of salt.

Will do--and just read Bill's post above...I believe him...the Viper shall live as KING forever! (Well---at least for more years, PLEASE!!!)....juli

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

I thought 1995 was the last year, or was ir 2002? No 2006 was the last last year.

Hoard your Vipers the end is near.............not

 

[dave6666]

From here on out, every VIN will end in FE, and come with a dash plaque.

 

[fireball]

Well... It seems to be a trend in the auto business lately to look at every program individually. I think it started with Renault/Nissan and Charles Ghosen who doesn't care less about market share or 'halo' cars. If a particular program makes $'s, it's good. If it doesn't, it's out. This sounds very much like the attitude of an investor - someone that cares less about cars but cares greatly about making money. Does this describe Cerberus? If so, I wouldn't expect the Viper to last much longer unless a case can be made that the 'halo' effect sells other Chrysler products.

I'm hoping that the Viper has a long, long life. I drive a Hummer H1. They discontinued production about 1 1/2 years ago and it's been a pain ever since. The dealers no longer stock parts and trained technicians are getting hard to locate. I don't want this to happen the Viper.

Remember who created the Viper - real car guys. I know there's still a bunch of them at Chrysler (I submit the '08 Viper as proof) but are they in positions to keep the Viper alive?

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Ghosn brought back the 350Z and now the Skyline GTR is soon to emerge ---- kinda think he may have changed his mind on " Halo Cars, " but just my humble opinion.

 

[fireball]

He's publicy stated that if it doesn't make money they won't build it. There's no question that 'halo' cars can make money. I wonder if the Viper does?

 

[mike & juli]

Ghosn brought back the 350Z and now the Skyline GTR is soon to emerge ---- kinda think he may have changed his mind on " Halo Cars, " but just my humble opinion.

Those 2 cars you mentioned, Bill, are great styled cars...especially the Skyline GTR...if we can keep getting sport designs, that'd be wonderful!!!! ~juli

 

[big-n-italian]

Elvis said the same thing when I saw him at Krispy Kreme this morning. Must be word.

so, is Elvis a dunker? joe dimagio is a "dinky" dunker you know.

 

[dave6666]

so, is Elvis a dunker? joe dimagio is a "dinky" dunker you know.

He was riding the conveyor through the icing machine so we really didn't get to sit down together. Maybe he said '09. He was sputtering and wiping his eyes a lot.

 

[slaughterj]

He's publicy stated that if it doesn't make money they won't build it. There's no question that 'halo' cars can make money. I wonder if the Viper does?

Given what Bill P. posted above regarding the guy from accounting, that would suggest the Viper does indeed make money, thus wouldn't be cut.

 

[Paul Hawker]

I also believe Chrysler is using Viper to showcase it's new technology.

Would expect variable valve system to show up on other Chrysler vehicles as well as dual clutch technology.

It is relatively easy to incorporate new technology into our limited production Vipers. We then drive them hard, and they can get pretty instant real world feedback as to any issues they need to attend to prior to expanding the technology further into their product line.

And Hey Pemberton. Glad you got some job security. Keep on taking care of the Viper Nation. "Stack em' deep and sell em' cheap".

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I dated the sister of a guy who mows the lawn at CAAP. He said 08 would be the last year so it must be true.

 

[Joe Dozzo]

First, let me say I hope they keep making Vipers for a looonnnnngggg time to come.

But I find that hard to believe.

Why do venture capitalists buy companies? Lots of reasons, but I think they can be summarized: To make money on the turnover. They buy, "streamline" them and then cash out. Most in less than 5 years. Does the Viper (ultra-low volume, questionably profitable, halo car or not) survive in that environment? I fear not...

To make matters worse, this deal might not have happened without Daimler providing 2B dollars to help finance the deal. Suggests to me the deal is run by financial guys, not car guys. And the car guys who remain are - in my opinion - are going to be disappointed.

 

[Venomiss]

I dated the sister of a guy who mows the lawn at CAAP. He said 08 would be the last year so it must be true.

Warn me next time so I don't choke on my water.

 

[Warfang]

From here on out, every VIN will end in FE, and come with a dash plaque.

Well... for the longest time, just about every other Viper was a LE (limited edition).. probably more limited editions than regular SRT's.

 

[Vipermann]

I just heard a rumor - that I hope isn't true.

A marketing guy in my client's office just got back from golfing with some Chrysler guy. The Chrysler guy indicated that Viper production was to end after the 2008 model year.

Depends on where they where playing golf ... public course (with Corvette owners all around) = guaranteed BS ... very exclusive private club = might be true

 

[Vipermann]

He's publicy stated that if it doesn't make money they won't build it. There's no question that 'halo' cars can make money. I wonder if the Viper does?

If profit-per-vehicle was an issue threatening the Viper, they wouldn't have kept the price where it is. If the ship was going down, they would have at least tried it with higher prices to save it ... translation, profits are not threatening to end the Viper

 

[Frank 03SRT]

In 99 I heard the end was in 2000 --- wait, that was the second coming.

 

[Vypr Phil]

On a more serious note:

"Chrysler is re-examining its recovery plan in light of the downturn in the US vehicle market and may jettison some of its Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models, Bob Nardelli, the carmaker’s new chief executive, said Friday.
Making his first public appearance since taking the reins at Chrysler last month, Mr Nardelli told the Automotive Press Association in Detroit that his motto was “listen, learn and lead”, and that “my goal is not to slow things down but to speed things up – a bias for decision”.

The carmaker’s recovery strategy outlined last February includes the elimination of 13,000 jobs, reducing the number of vehicle platforms from 12 to seven by 2012, axing 10-20 per cent of models and shrinking the dealer network.
The plan assumes total vehicle sales of 17m units this year, rising to 17.2m in 2008. However, the downturn in the housing market and high petrol prices, among other factors, have led most analysts to scale back their 2007 projection to about 16m units, with only a modest improvement next year.

Mr. Nardelli said a new three-year plan would be presented to Chrysler’s board next month. “We can’t have an emotional attachment to some of the products and the brands,” he said."

For entire article from the Financial Times (not from Elvis):

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/68c40ba2-...uid=e8477cc4-c820-11db-b0dc-000b5df10621.html

Buy your 2008's while you can!

Phil

 

[gtsviper]

I wouldn't be so sure about the value of the Viper to the executives who focus more on the bottom line than the desires of their markets. From what I understand Cerberus has not approved programs required to meet manufacturing requirements for my 2010. Given the lead time requirements this is a bad sign. I also hear that efforts to economize and improve efficiencies may result in the elimination of reduncies such as multiple marketing programs. How would this impact Dodge's SRT marketing efforts?
Me....I think I'll call Pemberton some time next year for a 2009 SRT. All I have to do is figure out how to pay for it. Who knows...the value of used SRT's may be ready for a jump?
My suggestion is that the Officers of the VCA quickly establish relationships with the "New" Chrysler Corporation (boy that sounds familiar) executives and work their a**es off trying to convince them that Vipers mean more than dollars per vehicle. I really don't want to be here next year saying I told you so.

 

[Bobpantax]

The Gen III Viper has been a profitable unit from the getgo. Keep in mind that a good part of the 2008 is made from the same parts as the 2003 through 2006 models. When Herb helbig spoke to our club in March of 2006 he was asked whether the Gen III Viper was profitable and stated that it was. Based on the apparent sales so far for the 2008, I would guess that it will generate a nice little profit. Keep in mind that even if they make 10 to 20 thousand dollars on each car ( I do not know what they actually make) , the total profit from the Viper is a pimple on an elephants rear end from the overall Chrysler financial point of view. We'll see what the new fellow from Toyota decides to do. My guess is that he will make all the product decisions in view of the incredible success he had at boosting the sales while he was at Toyota.

 

[RMBSRT]

They still have some models of the Viper in the pipeline.. the ACR and the High Output model...so it should be here till 2010. After that ...I think CAFE will kill the V10.