The Viper Is Once Again A Dodge And The SRT Brand Is Dead

[ICPREY]

. As for the racing program, the $s will go into NASCAR. That will help sell Dodges.

Dodge hasn't been in NASCAR since 2012...And it doesn't look like they will be heading back anytime soon.

[slitherv10]

Well...

Most of us well inclined individuals, all have a will. When we pass away, we want to be buried or taken somewhere of our choice. A cemetery, the country where you came from, a body of water..etc..A final resting place if you may.

Hopefully this is not SRT's Will and the decision the Viper wrote for when it was its time. Going back to where it came from as its final resting place. Back to Dodge.

Was this a financial move that dodge did back then when it was losing the Viper brand? Was it a plot to pass the batton over and show Fiat that its out of their (dodge) hands and all is well now if anyone wants it. thus Fiats decision to revive the car through SRT and ralph. Was this a scheme gone wrong that backfired on dodge and SRT? I don't know.

Is it a coincidence that Dodge gets back its Halo car?. Did they "rent" it out to SRT and Ralph for a while , whle they gathered their thoughts and revamped Dodge so they did not die themselves back in 08. Was it something that needed to be done to show the Govnt that Dodge is truly in dire straits of Bankruptcy so as to keep them alive during that time.

I'm not grasping the whole thing just as yet. It all seems to suspicious too me at the moment. A well thought out plan as it may.

I don't know.

[Coloviper]

Article is misleading as SRT brand is still alive as a model, it's status as a manufacturer is dead as it should be. Viper as a model will be just fine, it's line carries on in the 5 year plan. SRT was always the same as SVE, SVO or SVT with Ford, AMG with MB, M with BMW or F-Series with Lexus, etc. it was a performance line.

There really is no need anymore. Look at Ford, they punted SVT and just have a Shelby brand model. Viper is a brand model anyway, which is produced by a Dodge. Doesn't need SRT on top of it. It did fine before SRT and will be fine after.

[Schen]

Article is misleading as SRT brand is still alive as a model, it's status as a manufacturer is dead as it should be. Viper as a model will be just fine, it's line carries on in the 5 year plan. SRT was always the same as SVE, SVO or SVT with Ford, AMG with MB, M with BMW or F-Series with Lexus, etc. it was a performance line.

There really is no need anymore. Look at Ford, they punted SVT and just have a Shelby brand model. Viper is a brand model anyway, which is produced by a Dodge. Doesn't need SRT on top of it. It did fine before SRT and will be fine after.

This.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Someone finally makes an intelligent post, because if ANYONE was paying attention, included in that five year plan specifically 2018 are new SRTs. HELLO!

I'm not sure where the future will take the company, but those graphs make me feel pretty damn good and I like what I see. Chrysler is producing some of their highest quality work since the early 90's, something Mercedes could never do for us. I couldn't trade the Magnum in (especially now that it's paid off) for a newer LX, but I'll be pretty jealous every chance I get to sit in one. The basic amenities in those cars are x10 better than what I got in mine in 2007.

--RS

[SWEEN]

I was looking over the press release packet and I thought this was the most important slide. Noticed a couple of things. The Viper is placed in front (confirming that they will market it as a Halo car) and there isn't an "SRT" followed by it. Maybe it will just be called a Dodge Viper.

Dodge.jpg

[I Bin Therbefor]

This.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Someone finally makes an intelligent post, because if ANYONE was paying attention, included in that five year plan specifically 2018 are new SRTs. HELLO!

I'm not sure where the future will take the company, but those graphs make me feel pretty damn good and I like what I see. Chrysler is producing some of their highest quality work since the early 90's, something Mercedes could never do for us. I couldn't trade the Magnum in (especially now that it's paid off) for a newer LX, but I'll be pretty jealous every chance I get to sit in one. The basic amenities in those cars are x10 better than what I got in mine in 2007.

--RS

The value of FIAT five year plans as a prediction of future actions is zero. Check the actual vs plan on Alfa for the last several years as an example.

[Black Adder]

As for future vehicles, SRT plans to release a performance version of the Journey crossover in 2017 and a turbocharged, all wheel-drive SRT Dart in 2016. The Viper will be refreshed in 2015 while the SRT Challenger and Charger are due for an update sometime this summer.

The fate of all the other existing SRT vehicles, including the SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee and SRT Chrysler 300 are still unknown.

[Big Miata]

SRT needed to stay a trim level. Having different brands would suggest something radical. This would only be able to apply to the Viper not appliances with hot v8's thrown in. This is hilarious because dealers think they can just put a car in their showroom and it will sell. No one even goes into dealers anymore all the volume is done online or long before you get to the dealer. So why would a nice shinny piece of unobtanium do anything besides look like a Sports Illustrated Super Model on the floor. The only way these cars will sell is with the only Salesman the company has Ralph. He is generating the buzz by showing the car runs a 10 seconds quarter mile with street tires makes 600 whp with a few bolt ons.

Wonder how Nissan has sold 8k gt-r's in USA. Nissan USA should be kissing the feet of all of the tuners in this world. All the boy racers that loved civics can own a robocar that they can customize. Vipers aren't sold to old men/women they are scared of them. 30-50 is the demographic, If I am offbase please let me know.

[ViperSmith]

SRT needed to stay a trim level. Having different brands would suggest something radical. This would only be able to apply to the Viper not appliances with hot v8's thrown in. This is hilarious because dealers think they can just put a car in their showroom and it will sell. No one even goes into dealers anymore all the volume is done online or long before you get to the dealer. So why would a nice shinny piece of unobtanium do anything besides look like a Sports Illustrated Super Model on the floor. The only way these cars will sell is with the only Salesman the company has Ralph. He is generating the buzz by showing the car runs a 10 seconds quarter mile with street tires makes 600 whp with a few bolt ons.

Wonder how Nissan has sold 8k gt-r's in USA. Nissan USA should be kissing the feet of all of the tuners in this world. All the boy racers that loved civics can own a robocar that they can customize. Vipers aren't sold to old men/women they are scared of them. 30-50 is the demographic, If I am offbase please let me know.

Lets not pretend that Nissan dealers are any different with the GT-R. Local dealer had three on the floor and refused to let me drive one and barely let me sit in one.

To boot, it isn't like Nissan is selling them by the boatloads either. Sure, slightly more than the Viper but not really a massive amount.

I have a friend who is a dealer that can't sell the track packaged GT-R he has, so, there is that too.

[Big Miata]

Young PEOPLE DONT CARE ABOUT DRIVING ANYMORE. They want a double dutch electomatic tansmission that makes them feel like they are playing PS one and a car that makes funny blow off sounds. None of the people who are on the up and coming like the Viper. All of my demographic don't care about driving drivers cars, they just want to go on a racetrack with their robo car. Heck 90 percent of them don't even know how to drive stick. They need to market this car at the money. Dealers take the cars to every cars and coffee, so that all the guys and gals with money will see the cars cause they aren't going into dealers. Better yet let me sell one and Ill do it just to drive the car. You will not sell this car to a 30 year old. You will sell it to a muscle car fan who maybe always wondered maybe I shouldn't get a vette. Or even sway that 911 buyer who wanted something a bit more Viper.

And please GTR-s in So cal fall off the shelves. And used ones ha gone gone gone.

[SlateEd]

Here's hoping the best to Ralph in the new configuration out there!

Meanwhile, the Jeep GC SRT-8 isn't on the plan as others have said it wouldn't show on the Dodge 5 year plan anyway. In the Northeast they sell well, and I personally hope they can keep it up for another 3 or 4 years until I can afford a brand new one to replace my wife's '09.

The high performance label thing makes more sense than a separate brand I agree... should take on that feel of an elite level of engineering and racing/testing within a bigger company with deeper pockets (as opposed to a small brand with the resources of a small brand).

Ironically, AMG technically IS a separate brand from Mercedes Benz, which AMG execs like to talk about and MBUSA execs do NOT haha. Either way, the relationship there feels more cohesive. It's a model for branding that Chrysler/SRT could really seek to emulate. Put the Dart SRT-4 in every comparison test against the CLA 45 AMG as soon as it's tested properly.

[ViperSmith]

Young PEOPLE DONT CARE ABOUT DRIVING ANYMORE. They want a double dutch electomatic tansmission that makes them feel like they are playing PS one and a car that makes funny blow off sounds. None of the people who are on the up and coming like the Viper. All of my demographic don't care about driving drivers cars, they just want to go on a racetrack with their robo car. Heck 90 percent of them don't even know how to drive stick. They need to market this car at the money. Dealers take the cars to every cars and coffee, so that all the guys and gals with money will see the cars cause they aren't going into dealers. Better yet let me sell one and Ill do it just to drive the car. You will not sell this car to a 30 year old. You will sell it to a muscle car fan who maybe always wondered maybe I shouldn't get a vette. Or even sway that 911 buyer who wanted something a bit more Viper.

And please GTR-s in So cal fall off the shelves. And used ones ha gone gone gone.

I don't even know what point you are trying to make as it is irrelevant.

[Big Miata]

The point Im making is dealers are the reason the Viper is in trouble. They were given the tool and are horrible salesman. The GTR gets sold because they brought it out when people who came of age to Gran Turismo now have money.

I am just in fear that the whole Viper line is getting pulled, Regardless of what they say it is on the 5 year plan. 17 month supply on dealer floors that are getting sold below MSRP. If the auto industry had good salesmen and not yes men that just shake hands and say yes sir or mam, then maybe the Viper would have a shot. What happened to people liking cars that engaged you.

[BAD BOYZZ GARAGE]

I like the Dodge Viper idea, it's what I know. As far as Gilles, he's still CEO of Motorsports so I'm sure we'll see him promoting Viper and other SRT badged high HP vehicles. We'll be seeing him next week at our Nor Cal VOA event so I'm sure many questions will be answered from the man himself.. The Viper community is use to having direct contact with Chrysler management, Ralph carried on the tradition and did it well, hopefully the new Pres understands this and keeps Raplh in the loop and promotes others as well.. Could turn out to be a good thing overall, who knows we'll soon find out!!

Bad Boyzz

[ViperSmith]

The point Im making is dealers are the reason the Viper is in trouble. They were given the tool and are horrible salesman. The GTR gets sold because they brought it out when people who came of age to Gran Turismo now have money.

I am just in fear that the whole Viper line is getting pulled, Regardless of what they say it is on the 5 year plan. 17 month supply on dealer floors that are getting sold below MSRP. If the auto industry had good salesmen and not yes men that just shake hands and say yes sir or mam, then maybe the Viper would have a shot. What happened to people liking cars that engaged you.

These are all things that have been discussed to death already.

[ViperGTS]

I like the Dodge Viper idea, it's what I know. As far as Gilles, he's still CEO of Motorsports so I'm sure we'll see him promoting Viper and other SRT badged high HP vehicles. We'll be seeing him next week at our Nor Cal VOA event so I'm sure many questions will be answered from the man himself.. The Viper community is use to having direct contact with Chrysler management, Ralph carried on the tradition and did it well, hopefully the new Pres understands this and keeps Raplh in the loop and promotes others as well.. Could turn out to be a good thing overall, who knows we'll soon find out!!

Bad Boyzz

Tell him: Viper has to go back to Le Mans!
Mid of May is too late for 2014, but perhaps 2015!
Signed,
ViperGTS

[I Bin Therbefor]

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...rchionnes-plan

Looks like the financial markets called the BIG STRATEGIC plan a lot of BS.

[ViperSmith]

Yeah the Alfa goals are a bit insane IMHO.

[mnc2886]

Yeah the Alfa goals are a bit insane IMHO.

Only just a bit?

On a different note, I wonder if the Viper refresh is for the 2015 model, 2015.5 model, or in 2015?

[Joel]

Maybe this: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...or-a-v8-viper/

[ViperSmith]

Maybe this: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...or-a-v8-viper/

When has the car ever been cheap? This is such a silly fallacy. $100,000 ain't what it used to be - thats the problem!

[Viper Girl]

I loved the Firepower... That was a concept that should have been built...

[ViperSmith]

Perhaps "SRT" does need a "Viper Lite" but I think making it look like a Viper and calling it a Viper is a huge mistake.

[Fatboy 18]

How did Corvette manage to brake away from Chevrolet?

In Europe, Daewoo cars were re-branded with the GM Chevy logo and Corvette became its own brand dropping the Chevy logo. Did that happen in the USA too? You still saw adverts on the TV featuring the Corvette out in front leading the GM brand but the main feature was on the South Korean cars now called Chevy's

Do you think Chrysler Dodge was trying to do the same thing with SRT?

Do Corvettes get Sold and serviced in GM Dealerships or do they have their own separate Dealerships?

[100]

We'll see SRT badges for years to come, however, we might see the Viper as the "Dodge Viper". Ralph is no longer responsible for accounting, marketing, finance, or facilities -- that's all. Fiat lost money (1st Qtr 2014), so they are shaking things up.

Fiat is consolidating right now with a smaller org chart -- no worries. Just make sure your next vehicle has an SRT badge on it.