Dodge, an American automaker, will phase out its gas-powered challenger and charger muscle cars at the end of 2023, ushering in a new era for the company as it transitions to electric vehicles.
According to CNBC, Dodge mainstays and well-liked for cars by a new generation of gearheads, the charger and challenger, popular names from the 1960s and 1970s, have been revived in the mid- to late 2000s.
- Dodge will discontinue its gas-powered Challenger and Charger muscle cars at the end of next year, as the brand transitions to electric vehicles.
- Since being resurrected in the mid- to late 2000s, the Charger and Challenger have been stalwarts for Dodge and popular vehicles for a new generation of gearheads.
- But the cars have also been part of a fuel economy and emissions problem for Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler.
The two-door challenger in particular appealed to buyers’ sense of nostalgia due to its retro-inspired appearance. In contrast, despite recent consumer trends that have seen them switch from sedans to SUVs, the four-door Charger was still able to surpass significant sales milestones.
Dodge has been able to increase sales thanks to the vehicles, whose starting prices range from the low $30,000s to about $90,000 for its infamous Hellcat variants that produce more than 700 horsepower.
“With the challenger and charger, Dodge found a way to really tap into the muscle car culture. Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at S&P Global, claims that these cars were able to embody and convey that spirit. “Having that clear DNA and clear manifestation of what they’re supposed to be is facilitating the transition to electric.”
According to Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, the names charger and challenger may be used for upcoming electrified vehicles, such as a planned electric muscle car in 2024. He has argued in the past that electrification, whether it be all-electric or hybrid vehicles with less powerful engines, will preserve what he has dubbed the new “Golden Age of Muscle Cars.”
For a number of years, Kuniskis has predicted that gas-powered muscle cars will eventually go out of style due to emissions regulations. Among the major American manufacturers, Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge and formerly Fiat Chrysler, has the worst fuel efficiency and carbon emissions.
While many other automakers switched to smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, Dodge released Hellcat models and other high-performance vehicles. Due to the fact that these models did not lessen the automaker’s carbon footprint while enhancing brand recognition, the company was forced to buy carbon credits from other automakers like Tesla.
Dodge is introducing a wide range of unique vehicles and accessories to “celebrate” the end of automobiles as we currently know them. Among Dodge’s plans are a new dealer allocation system, seven limited-edition, or “buzz,” models, and an under-hood plaque commemorating “Last Call” for all 2023 model-year vehicles.
Under the new dealer strategy, orders for the 2023 charger and challenger models will be made available all at once, as opposed to being spread out over the course of the year. Customers can locate specific models at each location by using a Dodge provided guide.
Source: CNBC
