A sign that the automotive industry is carrying out one of its greatest transformations in its history, the dodge challenger and charger are the ultimate symbols of American automotive expression, will cease to be built at Dodge’s plant in Brampton, Ontario on December 31, 2023. These models will eventually be replaced by electric versions, as proposed by the Dodge Charger concept Daytona SRT.
A few weeks to order
If one of these cars interests you, you don’t have much time left before you can place your order. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis is telling consumers that the ordering process for a Challenger or Charger will wrap up at the end of July, just a few weeks from now. And forget the special versions like the Hellcat or other limited editions, because they are already sold out.
Indeed, the demand for these large-displacement twins has not really dropped in recent years, despite an increase in their price and the cost of a liter of gasoline. Although these are aging vehicles with very high GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions — in all their forms — the Dodge Charger and Challenger remain very popular with North American consumers.
Always popular models
For reference, Dodge sold 1,853 Challengers in 2022 in Canada, compared to 1,410 Chevrolet Camaros. As for the Charger sedan, 3,156 copies were sold, almost double the Nissan Altima (1,828). However, it should be noted that the commercial fleets have greatly helped to boost sales of this model.
The Dodge Challenger was reincarnated in 2008. Its retro style was inspired by the glorious years of the muscle car Americans. It was an instant commercial success. However, it was the Hellcat version, introduced in 2015, with its 707 horsepower that really allowed this sports coupe to be taken seriously by performance enthusiasts.
On the Charger side, it’s basically the same vehicle, but presented in the form of a sedan, a clearly different approach from its ancestors which were two-door coupes. Reintroduced in 2011, the Charger quickly forged a solid reputation with police forces as a patroller, while following its big sister in terms of performance by also offering a Hellcat version.
Conclusion
As a performance enthusiast, I cannot remain indifferent to this announcement. However, it must be recognized that times have changed and that Dodge must turn the page and face the electrification of transport head-on.
Note, however, that the Dodge Charger and Challenger have reignited a flame of performance that had long since died out with American manufacturers. Their appearance in the industry has stimulated a veritable war of power with its competition. This is why these models will remain etched in the memory of many automobile enthusiasts and why they will humbly fall into the category of classic must-haves.
