Honestly, I think LLC is taking a "strike while the iron is hot" approach.
Open the banks for 2009 orders now - before gas goes over $4.00/gallon (national average - it's already happened here in upstate NY), before the Camaro comes out, before the redesigned Mustang is released....."lock 'em in now and worry about pricing later".
The value of the dollar is still falling, we're going into a recession (okay, "officially" recognizing the one we're in now), inflation is spiraling out of control..... Dodge has to sell what cars they can NOW before the money supply start's tightening up.

Many thanks to the Saudi's for repaying our benevolence! Iraq invades Saudi Arabia, we drive the Iraqi's out. The Saudi's say "thanks" by maintaining low OPEC production levels, helping to drive up the price of crude. Apparently they don't have enough US dollars already.......
[:@]

That my 2 cents.