Dodge Viper to Cease Production, Again!

Speculation over the future of the Dodge Viper has been rife over the last couple years, despite relatively good growth figures and generally good reviews. The problems began with the Viper brand under tremendous cost pressure because of sister company Chrysler’s attempts to fix all the Sebring’s underlying problems whilst both companies were under the ownership of Cerberus.

Back in February this year, the Viper brand was put up for sale but despite interest from three bidders they couldn’t raise their valuation figure and took it off the market. By May, Chrysler Dodge had gone bankrupt and the Viper was expected to end production this December. Fiat bought Chrysler Dodge, and by June they emerged from Chapter 11, the for sale signs were take down and the Dodge Viper SRT10 production line was fired up and given a new lease of life.

Over 25,000 Vipers have been sold since 1992 and the SRT10 is revered by many Dodge fans given its aggressive looks and massive 8.4-litre 600bhp engine capable of 0-62 in 4 seconds.

However, the future of the Viper took another wrong turn this month when Chrysler’s new chief announced production will now be stopped at the end of July 2010. Special editions will be made of the last 500 cars off the line but no indication was given as to what they would be.

There’s still a small light at the end of the tunnel for those who were saving up for the Detroit muscle car, with an all new Viper due for launch in 2012, possibly with the assistance of another sibling (now the parents are Fiat) in the form of Ferrari.

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