caap close another 2 weeks since the 4th wekend

[F2V]

Another 2 week shutdown. Scroll down to 6th article. Couldn't copy the article direct as it is linked to facebook, which is blocked at my business


http://www.autoblog.com/

[Nine Ball]

Copy/Paste of text:

"You've got to hand it to Dodge for having the gumption to put the original Viper into production in the first place. It was, after all, much more of an emotional decision than a practical one, and a move which saw the first production V10 engine placed in a road car – long before the advent of the Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, Porsche Carrera GT or Lexus LFA, not to mention the other Ford, BMW and Volkswagen Group models that used such engines.

It's now been 22 years since the first Viper entered production and the Viper still rolls on several generations later, but we're sad to say that courageous decision has not always been met with overwhelming sales success. In fact parent Chrysler was forced to idle the Conner Avenue plant where the Viper is made back in April due to slow sales. And while production resumed again as planned on June 23, it apparently didn't do the trick.

As a result, Chrysler corporate communications chief Shawn Morgan revealed to Autoblog that the assembly line has been shut down again for another two weeks. The line was up and running for nearly two full work weeks from June 23 until the holiday weekend that started on Thursday, July 3. But instead of coming back online today as planned, it's been idled again for the weeks of July 7 and 14. That means it will be July 21, at the earliest, before the serpentine supercars start slithering down the assembly line at Conner Avenue again. Once it does, however, production is set to resume at the same pace it was before the shutdown.

The hiatus was originally undertaken to help Chrysler sell off its stockpiled inventory of unsold Vipers it had amassed as production outpaced sales. Reports pegged that number at 756 units, but Chrysler tells us that it does not disclose supply of individual models - only "on a company wide basis," according to Morgan. She did confirm to Autoblog, however, that despite the 91 workers who were originally projected to be laid off from the Conner Avenue plant, the final number of UAW-represented workers to be laid off has been reduced to 82. An unspecified number of hourly workers will also receive certain unemployment benefits as well.

Once production of the Viper - which will return as a Dodge product as the SRT brand is brought back into the fold - will resume, we hope it will be here to stay, and that the remaining workers will be able to get back to work with no further interruptions."

[canadian viper]

i hope for the ones that are waiting for their cars, they are shipped now and not wait another 2 or 3 weeks.

[Nine Ball]

They might be shutting it down to prepare/clean up for the homecoming event in 2 weeks. Looks like they start back up after that event.

[FLATOUT]

Saw a tweet from a plant worker go out this morning. Interesting.

[Bill Pemberton]

Chrysler Plants all shut down in July for two weeks to get ready to retool for the next year's production. This has been standard operating procedure for years and years, so this is not unexpected and would never be news except for the fact that the Plant was down prior.

[ViperSmith]

OMG sky is falling!

[Stealth]

Sounds, guardedly, like standard operating procedures. The only part I do not understand, is how 2015s' could be on the line now with no open orders and no refresh specs announced.

Hopefully, this will be clarified shortly as many of us are considering the purchase of Gen 13/14 Gen Vs and would like to know the nature of the alleged 2015 "refresh" before we plunk down six digits for a toy! The Hellcat release only heightened the mystery... .

[Policy Limits]

I read that the refresh is about a year away. So it's prolly a 2016 model year vehicle?

They should've just made what people wanted. Hundreds of customers, myself included, put thousands of dollars down on deposit to build custom spec car orders. Instead of building them, they made other cars for dealers. That was frustrating to see esp for Venom V who waited the longest and paid the most for that Stryker paint job. Now people are saying that they want targa, roadster, convertible and ACR variants. Should they listen this time? Or would that further hurt the damage done with all of the unsold inventory? On the one hand history repeats itself and on the other might not want to add fuel to a fire. There's no easy answer and I'm glad I'm not the one who needs to decide.

[Austin]

A year away for the refresh? How? They said it was going to be a 2015 model refresh. WTF?

[Policy Limits]

I believe they stated a mid 2015 refresh. Mid 2015 is one year from now. Whether it will be MY15 or 16 or both is speculative. Folks anticipate news at the big viper event. I know I do.

[Coloviper]

Well logic dictates that if sales are hurting now, they can not wait a year on the same formula. Viper is niche and can change relatively quick if needed. It is needed, and go time! I suspect they will change now.

[mikesax]

This car kicks the ass of the vette and most exotics in EVERY way!! Performance, fit and finish, WOW factor when seen- it's truly a shame to see miniscule sales!! Time to "step it UP"-we should be kicking ass in the pits and in the press!! Oh yeah-we are starting to kick it in "the PITS"!! Let's get positive "DODGE"-we have the only "hand built" car made in the US-"NOTHING" compares-GENERATE some POSITIVITY!!!!!

[Newport Viper]

Folks anticipate news at the big viper event. I know I do.

I fully anticipate 100% an announcement on a Vert. (And maybe a slight 10HP bump) They aren't going to have all these folks come up there and not have something cool ready to go.


Or put one of these in it. http://www.ilmor.com/en/marine/perfo.../MV10-725.aspx

[Policy Limits]

Then again...

[Bruce H.]

I'm still thinking vert, and a minor re-jigging of standard features and option packages...and maybe the Mopar ECU! None of that would make the coupe inventory any less desirable, and it would provide the attention and press to re-introduce the Gen V without hiccups hopefully. The best days for the Viper are yet to come. You read it here first!

[mikesax]

That's what I like to hear Bruce-'THE BEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME"!!!!!

[Austin]

Sadly, I dont think anything significant will be shown. Im sure there will be some new colors to see though. *rolls eyes*

[VENOM V]

I'm betting on a very minor refresh for 2015. At homecoming, I think they will unveil the ACR for 2016 model year.

[Austin]

I'm betting on a very minor refresh for 2015. At homecoming, I think they will unveil the ACR for 2016 model year.

Pffffft. LMAO

[VENOM V]

Pffffft. LMAO

It may be too early for an ACR unveiling, but it's coming.

[Austin]

It may be too early for an ACR unveiling, but it's coming.

How do you figure? They havent even announced a convertible.

[VENOM V]

I spoke with Ben Keating when he raced at Laguna Seca. Nothing is certain with bean counters making much of the decisions, but he thought the ACR is very likely and will be out before the convertible.

How do you figure? They havent even announced a convertible.

[Torquemonster06]

I'd like that!!!!

[Murpowa]

I posted something similar in another thread, BUT...

I'd love if Venom V was right, however, don't we think atleast ONE spy photo or slip of the tongue from an employee by now? Is the SRT team secretly testing the next ACR as one of the race cars? I'd like to think dodge/SRT has pretty tight lips but even rumors off the hellcat surfaced well before it's formal announcement.