Is the Challenger 2023 ending, a major business mistake?

2484 Views 92 Replies 29 Participants Last post by Derecho, 4 d ago

RyzRT

Discussion Starter · 14 d ago

https://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/2024/

2024 Chevrolet Camaro Review, Pricing, and Specs

What do you think?

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RyzRT

Discussion Starter · #41 · 13 d ago

It would seem, IF, 2024 is no Dodge Challenger coming out of the factory doors and some of these active builds are using up existing parts and closing options. Dodge is still responsible to keep repair parts for so many years after a line has stopped production, how will they comply to that when the Covid time period put OEM parts so far behind. When my driveshaft failed, I waited 8 weeks or so to get a new OEM replacement, those of us that actually work on our own cars, what kind of future are we looking at?

Reactions: 2

RyzRT

Discussion Starter · #42 · 13 d ago

Many of the old muscle cars either ended up in barns because they got too expensive to fix, or in car collections to be looked at but rarely used. When factories are revamped to run new cars, and service departments quickly focus attention on new car repairs, what happens to your precious then? Nothing lasts forever, but the really nice thing I have enjoyed about the Dodge Challenger, is the ability for a return to the shade tree mechanic days, and the after market part availability.

Reactions: 2

Dodgeguy

· #43 · 13 d ago

RyzRT said:
It would seem, IF, 2024 is no Dodge Challenger coming out of the factory doors and some of these active builds are using up existing parts and closing options. Dodge is still responsible to keep repair parts for so many years after a line has stopped production, how will they comply to that when the Covid time period put OEM parts so far behind. When my driveshaft failed, I waited 8 weeks or so to get a new OEM replacement, those of us that actually work on our own cars, what kind of future are we looking at?

I used to think they were required to keep parts available for 10 years however after looking into it they are not required to keep parts available. It is up to them whether they do so or not.

Reactions: 2

Derecho

· #44 · 13 d ago

RyzRT said:
It would seem, IF, 2024 is no Dodge Challenger coming out of the factory doors and some of these active builds are using up existing parts and closing options. Dodge is still responsible to keep repair parts for so many years after a line has stopped production, how will they comply to that when the Covid time period put OEM parts so far behind. When my driveshaft failed, I waited 8 weeks or so to get a new OEM replacement, those of us that actually work on our own cars, what kind of future are we looking at?

That's a great question. Since the introduction of the modern era Challenger/Charger they've partnered or been mergered with other automobile manufactureres multiple times. First with Daimler-Benz AG, then they partnered with Fiat and then mergered with them as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). This brought us into the modern muscle era we're currently seeing possibly end. In 2021 the company merged with the parent company of the Peugeot brand in 2021 to create a new company called Stellantis. Chrysler/Dodge has seen quite a run of management changes to say the least, in a relatively short amount of time.

This in itself, muddies the waters (I believe) as far as legal obligations go with parts. Car manufactures are legally required to provide repair parts for recalls under warranty and safety related recalls on a longer term basis, but that appears to be about it. Here is something interesting I found out this morning over at Hemmings...

Ask a Hemmings Editor: How long do carmakers have to provide replacement parts for older cars?

-- Perhaps you've heard it from a parts counter guy. Or from your local mechanic. Or maybe from your neighbor, drinking a cold one in his driveway while you're sweating and busting your knuckles under his car, fixing the starter. "I dunno why you can't find that part. The car companies, they gotta make the parts available for 10 years, or maybe it's six years. Either way, it's the law."

Except, as it appears, it's not. Or, at least, it's not a law in the United States, nor is it formally codified as a regulation. Read the rest of this article at Hemmings.com.

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Derecho

· #45 · 13 d ago

MommaBetty said:
Yeah, don't insult the chicken....

Buck, buck, buck Aaak!! 🐔🍗🍗🍴

Reactions: 3

RyzRT

Discussion Starter · #46 · 13 d ago

Well I guess we will find out how long these cars actually last?

Reactions: 1

Derecho

· #47 · 13 d ago

RyzRT said:
Many of the old muscle cars either ended up in barns because they got too expensive to fix, or in car collections to be looked at but rarely used. When factories are revamped to run new cars, and service departments quickly focus attention on new car repairs, what happens to your precious then? Nothing lasts forever, but the really nice thing I have enjoyed about the Dodge Challenger, is the ability for a return to the shade tree mechanic days, and the after market part availability.

The only major thing that might stress me out is the computerization and eveything being tied together to that as a unit because of it. It is generally no problem in most cases, while there's a warranty, but shop time and rates will likely be horrible if you have to have someone decipher a problem 10 years from now. By then, all the costs will come out of your own pocket and at that point you'll possibly be wishing you had a 1970 Chrysler product in the garage. Time will tell...

[How long do the Mopar Extended Lifetime Warranties really last? That would be another question that should pop up in an owners mind.]

Reactions: 4

Dodgeguy

· #48 · 13 d ago

RyzRT said:
Well I guess we will find out how long these cars actually last?

With as many of this generation Challengers that were built the aftermarket will probably step up to fill the void, and as Dodge does use many suppliers for parts hopefully those suppliers will keep making parts.

Reactions: 4

dodge man2

· #49 · 13 d ago

I restored a 70 Challenger in the late 80’s. Let’s just say it was 15 years after they stopped making them in 1974 and 19 years after mine was made. That time frame isn’t to far off from where we are now with the first year 2008 models. In the late 80’s you could still get a surprising number of parts for a 70 Challenger at the dealer but most of the stuff had dried up. Then you had to find junkyard parts or NOS (new old stock) parts. Then in the late 80‘s and early 90’s the reproduction market started getting going but there are still parts they aren’t reproducing. A smart younger guy would put up a large building a start buying up parts and wrecks. The problem is they can’t afford it. Older people do it to some extent but end up to old or die before that stuff turns to gold.

My point being I expect history will repeat and we will see the same thing happen all over again as far as parts availability.

Reactions: 2

RatFink

· #50 · 13 d ago

From a business POV, no. From an emotional POV yes.

Car sales are dwindling in favour of lifeless SUV boxes and the cost to re-tool a whole production line to support a dying segment is not worth it. The fact that Dodge appears to be going in on the Banshee is surprising.

Reactions: 2

RyzRT

Discussion Starter · #51 · 13 d ago

mjb4450

· #52 · 13 d ago

Parts availability, another aspect of a bygone era. I remember long after the first generation Challengers were out of production I went down to my local Dodge dealer to see about the availability of the flip open gas caps for my 1974 mint green Challenger. The parts guy walks on back and one minute later I had a brand new flip open gas cap. The good old days. But if whomever owns Dodge next year doesn't want to continue producing parts, that will be a gold mine for the aftermarket industry given how many Challengers/Chargers/300s were made.

Reactions: 3

cdahl383

· #53 · 13 d ago

I work for Stellantis. We've had record profits over the past couple of years. I don't think killing off the Challenger is going to bankrupt Stellantis. The bread and butter is Ram and Jeep. I am skeptical of how successful this EV stuff will be in the coming years. I personally am doubtful, but I'm hoping that upper management knows better than I do. So far they've really turned things around. When I first started working under FCA US it was nowhere near as nice or as profitable as it is now as Stellantis.

As a Challenger owner and enthusiast I hate to see them kill it off. But honestly it's been around for 15 years with only one refresh. It's a dated car now really. It would have been nice if they had come out with something a little lighter with a little more work done to the 392. Better flowing heads, bigger cam, maybe 300-400lbs lighter. Would have been a nice 10 second car stock for under $50K. I guess we're lucky to have had such a cool car for 15 years though. There will be plenty of nice used ones out there available for decades to come.

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SKT PK 9 Man

· #54 · 13 d ago

MommaBetty said:
Yeah, don't insult the chicken....

Agreed, it was the prototype for the duck!

en.dopl3r.com

[GOD CREATING DUCKS] Waterproof that chicken and give it a kazoo.

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Reactions: 4

Dodgeguy

· #55 · 13 d ago

carbuzz.com

The Average Age Of Cars On American Roads Is Older Than Ever

American cars, light trucks, and SUVs are now older than ever, hitting a record 12.5 years old on average according to an analysis from S&P Global Mobility. This number is up three months over this time last year and is a result of the lingering effects of new vehicle inventory shortages pushing...

carbuzz.com

Reactions: 3

webspinr

· #56 · 13 d ago

Best way I can put it. Society has lost the ability to embrace real innovation. I see it all the time, those that have the power cannot think anymore and those that can think, have no power and don't have the will to fight. We have entered the world of "Idiocracy", waiting for the film to end after looking at the same thing for 3 hours with an idiot ending. The smart ones stop creating, the morons flood the trenches. Lord help those that have to experience the end.

Reactions: 5

SKT PK 9 Man

· #57 · 13 d ago

"lost the ability to embrace real innovation"
Unless it's an App, yes, the sarcasm is dripping.....

Reactions: 2

Dodgeguy

· #58 · 13 d ago

SKT PK 9 Man said:
"lost the ability to embrace real innovation"
Unless it's an App, yes, the sarcasm is dripping.....

Fear not AI is coming.

Reactions: 4

webspinr

· #59 · 13 d ago

arstechnica.com

IBM plans to replace 7,800 jobs with AI over time, pauses hiring certain positions

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna says he could see 30% of back-office functions replaced by AI over 5 years.

arstechnica.com

Reactions: 3

SKT PK 9 Man

· #60 · 13 d ago

Dodgeguy said:
Fear not AI is coming.

That is not comforting...

Reactions: 2

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