Chrysler has announced today that the automaker is "preparing to explore strategic options for the Dodge Viper business", which means that Chrysler could sell the car to another automaker.
“We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Chrysler LLC.
Chrysler has agreed to listen to the interested parties, but has not made a final decision on the fate of the Dodge Viper.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Chrysler LLC to Explore Strategic Options for Viper Business
- Move part of Company’s focus on core business
- Goal is ensuring strong future for Viper
- Stand-alone strategic review unique to Viper
Auburn Hills, Mich., Aug 27, 2008 - Chrysler LLC announced today that it is preparing to explore strategic options for the Dodge Viper business. This strategic review comes as the Company focuses on enhancing its core business and leveraging its assets.
“We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – Chrysler LLC. “As the Company evaluates strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties. We will do so keeping in mind the best interests of those who have shown tremendous support for the vehicle – including employees, suppliers, dealers and a worldwide group of loyal Viper owners and enthusiasts. Viper is an integral part of this Company’s heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle.”
This review – unique to the Viper specialty vehicle – comes as the Company strengthens the Dodge brand’s core portfolio with four all-new Dodge-branded offerings introduced for 2009 — Dodge Journey, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango Hybrid and Dodge Ram – and prepares to bring even more exciting vehicles to its customers in the near future.
The Viper is hand-built in a low-volume, modular process at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, which operates largely independent of Chrysler’s other production facilities. The vehicle was introduced as a concept vehicle at the 1989 Detroit auto show. It was first available as a production vehicle in the 1992 model year.
With today’s announcement, the Company emphasizes that it has not set a definitive timetable for completion of the review of its strategic options, no final decision has been made with regard to the Viper business, and there can be no assurance that any transaction will take place as a result of this process. Chrysler has retained Lazard as its financial advisor in connection with this review.
Comments (17)
Hmm...
I'm sure this will provoke a strong reaction.
I think it would be sad if they sold this icon to another maker.
Posted by GT Fan | August 27, 2008 3:38 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 15:38
I can hear it now:
The all new, redesigned Kia Viper!
That'll make me take a second look at Kia!
Posted by Rozz | August 27, 2008 4:09 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 16:09
sell it to Toyota or Mazda... that'll be a riot
This news actually surprised me on two fronts..
1. the Viper is what you think of when you say "Dodge" (that, or the Ram). I like Japanese cars and dislike American cars, but I have always had a place in my heart for the Viper, whether for its V-10 engine or its looks, even my dad says its "beautiful". Selling it to someone else would be like Chevy selling the Corvette
2. this is the first time ive heard of a car company selling one particular model, I cant think of any instance this has happened in the past
maybe they'll share the platform w/ Mitsubishi and make a replacement for the 3000GT?
Posted by Eddie | August 27, 2008 4:34 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 16:34
That is desperate, yo.
Posted by Jung | August 27, 2008 6:10 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 18:10
The brand new dodge viper with the 2.0l mitsubishi evo motor.
Posted by unknown | August 27, 2008 7:09 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 19:09
Most likely a neighborly exotic car company in Europe somewhere. First thing that came to my mind was Lotus. Complimentary styling and its a completely different class of large body vehicle that would add to the Lotus lineup. Everyone else has a big supercar.
Posted by :\ | August 27, 2008 7:28 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 19:28
Could be a smaller US company. Plenty of companies across Europe that basically just make one Super/Sports Car. Noble, Pagani, Ascari, Koenigsegg, etc. They all use engines (as well as probably other parts) from major car companies.
So a smaller outfit could buy the Viper. Then all Crysler needs to worry about is supplying the engine and other parts.
Posted by Hangman | August 27, 2008 8:47 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 20:47
If another company bought the Viper, it's factory would certainly go with it as all Vipers are made in one factory, separate from the other cars in Dodge/Chrysler's lineup.
I concur that selling the Viper would be like GM selling the Corvette. But unfortunately, the Viper sells no where near as many units as the Corvette, mainly due to the no automatic transmission option (I read somewhere 70% of Vettes sold are AT's).
I also have a certain admiration for the Viper even though I dislike American cars. I remember when I first laid eyes upon a Viper back in 1994 (I was eleven). A neighbor rolled up in a bright red one and gunned it...the side pipes were so LOUD! In my current suburb a physical therapist has a 1997+ blue/white GTS always parked outside his office on sunny days...it's so eye catching. I think the 1st gen GTS coupe is the best looking Viper ever.
Posted by Noya | August 27, 2008 9:58 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 21:58
If it does get sold it's going to get sold to a private company like Aston Martin did.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | August 27, 2008 10:46 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 22:46
I agree.
I don't think any major auto company would pickup something that doesn't have a decent rate of return. I don't see Lotus picking it up, that's almost counter-intuitive to their designs at this point. The last Lotus that I remember even close to the Viper was the Esprit...and that hasn't been made for several years.
And who would want an automatic Viper? REALLY? I doubt you can even stall it (maybe in like forth or above). You probably just let the clutch out in first and start rolling.
Posted by Brian | August 27, 2008 11:41 PM
Posted on August 27, 2008 23:41
hand-made...hmmm.
That means it has to find a new owner with cheap hands....
Well, Proton, Tata, Chery...this is your chance to buy a plastic car company!
Posted by lowest iq | August 28, 2008 4:15 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 04:15
As far as the auto transmission goes, all of the American sports cars are going to need to go to a sequential gearbox to be able to compete anyway. That's just the way things are heading.
I would assume that GM would at least offer a sequential gearbox in the C7 along side the manual. They market the current slushbox as "paddle shift with autmoatic modes" but it's a really a standard automatic with a paddle shift mode.
Big difference.
Posted by JB | August 28, 2008 6:33 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 06:33
Viper VTEC!
LOL
Posted by Z | August 28, 2008 7:46 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 07:46
Perhaps they're selling it because they want to stop producing the V10 engine block all together. The Cummins Diesel has just about all of the market share in their heavy-duty segment. Making a V10 for a small % of heavy duty, the viper, and the SRT Ram may not make not have enough volume to make sense.
Posted by JonB | August 28, 2008 9:37 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 09:37
They wouldnt sell a whole model for the lack of wanting to make V10... they'd just find something else to put in it, probably something like whats in the Hurst Challenger.
Posted by BigO | August 28, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 10:29
first our jobs go to india, now what.... the Tada Viper????
Posted by wvo | August 28, 2008 11:46 AM
Posted on August 28, 2008 11:46
Introducing the Toyota Viper Hybrid "priora", At A Dealer Near You. Maybe Toyota should buy it, re-design it on the Lexus/Camry platform, then turn it into another souless egg shaped forgettable car - but with excellent reliability!
Posted by sparky | August 28, 2008 12:00 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 12:00