Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda Says Dodge Challenger is a "Go"

Nearly 35 years later, Dodge Challenger returns as the ultimate modern
American muscle coupe

- Unprecedented public response to Challenger concept leads to "green
light" decision for production
- Another Chrysler Group concept-to-production success story highlights
focus on speed-to-market

DAYTONA BEACH, FL, July 1 /CNW/ - Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom
LaSorda today announced that Dodge Challenger will return to production after
a nearly 35-year hiatus. The all-new Dodge Challenger will debut as a 2008
model in calendar-year 2008.
The announcement was made shortly before the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race at
Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driving out with the
Dodge Challenger was Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour.
"We haven't seen this kind of spontaneous, passionate response to a car
since we unveiled the Dodge Viper concept in 1989," said LaSorda. "But it's
easy to see what people like about the Dodge Challenger. It's bold, powerful
and capable. It's a modern take on one of the most iconic muscle cars, and
sets a new standard for pure 'pony car' performance."
The Dodge Challenger will feature the long hood, short deck, wide stance
and two-door coupe body style that distinguished the iconic Challengers of the
1970s.
"We drew on the rich heritage of the Dodge Challenger, but with
contemporary forms and technologies," said LaSorda. "It's not just a
re-creation; it's a reinterpretation."

Dodge's "Pony Car" in the 1970s
The Dodge Challenger made its debut in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model.
While it shared the "E-body" platform with the Plymouth Barracuda, Dodge
Challenger's wheelbase was two inches longer, creating more interior space.
The Dodge Challenger was originally offered as either a two-door hardtop
or convertible. And, befitting the brand's performance heritage, the Dodge
Challenger also went racing in its first year, competing most notably in the
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am series and National Hot Rod
Association's Pro Stock class.
Although it was produced only from 1970 to 1974, the Dodge Challenger
earned a reputation as one of the most desirable of the original "pony cars,"
with meticulously restored and rare examples today selling for six-figure
prices.
In its first year, Dodge Challenger was offered in a limited-edition T/A
model to meet homologation requirements for SCCA Trans-Am racing. In 1971, a
Dodge Challenger paced the Indianapolis 500 race. New front-end styling in
1972 featured a larger, "egg-crate" grille. In April 1974, Challenger
production ceased. Over a five-year span, approximately 188,600 Dodge
Challengers were sold.
The Dodge Challenger is another chapter in Chrysler Group's long history
of bringing concepts quickly to production, including the Dodge Viper,
Plymouth Prowler, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Jeep(R) Compass.
"Our product development system allows us to quickly turn concepts into
high-quality production vehicles," said Ridenour. "We're justifiably proud of
our speed to market, and Dodge Challenger is the latest example of our focus
on getting gotta-have-it vehicles to our customers."

Dodge Brand
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With 1.4 million vehicles sold globally in 2005(141,931 units in Canada),
Dodge is the No. 5 nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. Overall, Dodge has
a 7 percent market share in the United States. In the minivan market, Dodge
has a 22 percent market share; in the truck market, 16 percent; and 5 percent
of the car market.
In 2005, Dodge had an 8.6 percent market share in Canada. In the minivan
market, Dodge had 37.8 percent market share. In the truck market, Dodge had
8.9 percent market share and in the car market, Dodge had 2.3 percent market
share.
This