QOTD: Anyone Else Getting Worried About Dodge?

Dodge not too long ago announced that the iconic Charger and Challenger designs would be sacrificed in the title of electrification up coming yr — releasing the battery-powered, two-door Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Thought to demonstrate the general public what may possibly be on offer in the in close proximity to future. But the language employed felt rather noncommittal, as if the organization was definitely just tests the waters to see what V8-obsessed Mopar supporters were being ready to tolerate. Meanwhile, Stellantis has opted to eliminate the brand’s substantial-functionality SRT (Road and Racing Technologies) division. 

Executives have attempted to spin this as very good for the company, suggesting that integrating Dodge’s effectiveness-concentrated engineering workforce into the broader pool will indicate far better automobiles across the board. But I’m nervous about my favourite American manufacturer and am questioning if any one else on the highway feels likewise. 

Although we understood that the times of supercharged V8 were probably numbered thanks to governing administration regulations, that also seemed to be the situation a decade previously. In actuality, Dodge grew to become to some degree infamous for indicating it would just take emissions fines on the chin every time it could not buy plenty of carbon credits and there was a stint exactly where leadership essentially scoffed at the concept of the brand at any time making EVs. But that transformed in 2020 when Tim Kuniskis (then heading FCA passenger cars) started out suggesting electric motor vehicles would become a huge part of Dodge’s long run. And that seems to have accelerated considering that the 2021 FCA-PSA merger that created Stellantis. 

“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the commence of a dazzling new electrified potential — by remaining genuine to our manufacturer,” spelled out Tim Kuniskis, chief govt officer of the Dodge manufacturer. “At Dodge, we in no way lift, and the brand will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in their current type in the exact way that acquired us below, with a passion equally for our products and our fans that drives us to build as a lot uniqueness in the muscle mass vehicle local community and market as probable.”

Dodge’s current system is to make as several distinctive version Charger and Challenger styles as doable in advance of they’re discontinued in 2024. Taking into consideration how historical the system is, that can make some quantity of perception. But they are continue to relatively aggressive when you peruse their gross sales numbers and arguably dominate a segment they have solely to themselves — if you see the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang as distinctive beasts. 

But a potential without having them feels as even though it would depart Dodge with a huge chasm in its currently diminutive lineup. The only other car or truck the organization sells ideal now is the Durango SUV and it is equally offered with a collection of increasingly powerful engines the automaker may halt manufacturing. We know that the firm is arranging to reskin the Alfa Romeo Tonale and provide it for a number of bucks shy of $30,000 as the Dodge Hornet. That looks a comparatively harmless guess so extensive as Alfa’s top quality control doesn’t have over. But tapping EVs to take up the slack remaining by the Charger and Challenger could backfire. 

Dodge builds several of the most effective horsepower-for every-dollar cars presently in existence. The brand has turn into synonymous with big, relaxed cars supplying oodles of electric power at an impressively low price. But electrics never show up poised to fill that gap. As issues at the moment stand, EVs have a tendency to be compact, utilitarian runabouts retailing all-around $32,000 or greater, speedier, much more-deluxe styles priced north of $70,000. In purchase to offer you a little something similar to its outgoing products, Dodge would have to have to manufacture a whole-sized electrical able of carrying out the standing ¼ mile in 12.8 seconds that’s also priced below $47,000. 

Is it doable? In all probability. Will it occur? Possibly not. 

Car or truck price ranges have been trending upward because of to inflation and the collective breakdown of global provide chains. But the elevated price of certain commodities required for battery production implies EV rates are outpacing their combustion-reliant rivals by a extensive margin. By retaining all-around what is efficiently a incredibly previous product, Dodge has managed to reduce overhead by saving on progress fees. But that won’t be the case when it goes electric except all foreseeable future products will be re-badged goods from Stellantis’ other nameplates. 

Granted, leadership has claimed overall performance-oriented SRT styles will go on staying manufactured. But, without having a devoted engineering group, anything tells me the SRT badge will develop into akin to BMW’s M Activity — largely meaningless. 

What will Dodge be still left with after its hallmark types are discontinued? Will it grow to be a dumping ground for re-badged products and solutions? Am I finding concerned about absolutely nothing or are you also starting off to fret above the brand’s nebulously presented long term?

[Image: Dodge]

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