2008 Dodge Challenger Not Sold Out, Yet

He who hesitates may have to wait a few years to get a 2008 Dodge Challenger, the hands-down hit of the Chicago Auto Show.

Fran Klegon, vice president of product development for Chrysler, said 4,300 Dodge Challengers have been sold and dealers have placed orders for 10,000 more.

That for a car of which only 6,400 will be produced the first year.

"Production is sold out, but sales aren't sold out," Klegon said. "While every one we can build is spoken for, not every one of those has a customer name on the order. Many of those 10,000 ordered by dealers are for display, so I don't want to discourage anyone from buying one. It's not a sales sell-out yet."

Those low numbers suggest premium prices and markups over list. As evidence that consumers better be prepared to pay a ransom to get a Challenger, the press kit handed out to media at the Chicago Auto Show immediately found its way onto eBay, posted by an enterprising scribe asking $400 for the materials.

The first 2008 Challengers will be high-performance SRT8 versions offering a 425-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi V-8. The 2009s will add a regular version with a 380-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with multiple cylinder management, meaning four cylinders can shut off to conserve fuel.

Klegon said the New York auto show next month will spotlight other Challenger versions coming for 2009, including a 5.7-liter Hemi model.

More info and photos on the 2008 Dodge Challenger (Cars.com)
More Dodge Challenger News (KickingTires)

Comments

[KJ]

Sounds like price gouging is right around the corner and at a dealer near you. It would be foolish to buy one of these at markup knowing that market saturation will eventually bring the price down.

[Dave T.]

I think current rumor is that they'll keep production of the challenger SRT8 limited for its run and the run might not be long. But total production of 20-30000 a year like some have said for the lineup (which may or may not have a convertible) isn't a lot for one model.

[Kyle]

"I think current rumor is that they'll keep production of the challenger limited for its run and the run might not be long."

I don't like that idea too much. They've spent so much money bringing the Challenger back and hyping it up... a short run in my mind would be a waste of money and factory space. They could have better used that money/mind power to create an original, sporty, fuel efficient car (think Tesla).

Also, if they would at least give it a peppy V6 it could be a little more viable in this $3+/gal market, right?

[Kyle]

Haha, as I typed up the above post I looked into my new MT magazine and noticed that Dodge IS trying to cook up a mainstream Tesla or maybe Volt type vehicle. My bad :) Still, I'd love to buy a car with muscle car looks and decent gas milage.

[Dave T.]

if Chrysler had a V-6 as alluring as its Hemi I'm sure they'd put it in a challenger.

[Infosaur]

Personally I'm waiting for the V6 but LET THE GOUGING BEGIN!

I'll probably STILL see a low numbered 2009, with a thin coat of dust, in a showroom for 40% over sticker in 2012.

[Paul]

My guess is the low numbers are due to CAFE standards.Build a gas hog,and you need to limit how many you make,otherwise you will need a ton of 40+ mpg models (which Dodge doesnt offer) to offset them.At this rate,I feel Challenger will be a 2 year program and then disappear forever.Camaro might fare a little better if they offer a base v6 version,but I sense serious GM price gouging due to their platform cutbacks.One thing though,Mustang will still rule after these two diversions go away.

[Dave T.]

The Camaro will be a mass market car like the Mustang with a V-6 base model. The Challenger never intended to be that. it was always going for a smaller run (not 6400 small though) with just v-8s. If they announce a V6 in NYC I'd be very surprised.

[George]

Chrysler is putting a V6 into it.
But they are hamstringing it with an obsolete 4 speed automatic.
http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html

That has fleet/rental written all over it.

Maybe the rumored 'phoenix' V6 series will eventually make its way here. 300hp from 4 liters sounds nice.

[Infosaur]

George, No manual on the V-6? Fail!

[Dave T.]

George,
As that site says that's unofficial, preliminary information. We have interviewed execs and have not heard that yet. We'll know definitively in New York next month.

[kevin]

Real cool looking car,even looks better than the original Challenger.The problem is real hot rods were priced affordably in the 60's for regular working guys.Without young kids buying this is a loser...there goes another $5,000 Civic with $20,000 invested.
A marketing degree is a terrible thing to waste