New Dodge Charger - Page 4

**FTE217** · 26-03-2025, 12:05 AM

good on them well done new CEO.
Swings and roudabouts, timing such is life.
Like paying too much for a Mustang then once stock fills get a good buy Or buying a EV, one day heaps next not.
Nothing new here.

**kypez** · 26-03-2025, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Sucked in! Nicely played Dodge/FCA/Stellantis-Whatever we are called this week.........................laughing all the way to the bank, along with the dealers who played the game as well.

They haven't laughed to the bank for years now. And they'd burn their loyal fanbase in this move which can't be good for repeat business.

**kypez** · 26-03-2025, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

good on them well done new CEO.
Swings and roudabouts, timing such is life.
Like paying too much for a Mustang then once stock fills get a good buy Or buying a EV, one day heaps next not.
Nothing new here.

It's very different. It would've been like creating the GTF and then doing another GTF for the FGX. Ford didn't do that.

Besides, a few sales of V8's aren't going to save the brand. 20,000-30,000 cars a year is barely profitable especially with a new platform that will need redesigning.

Only reason Ford are ok with the drop in Mustang is that the development cost for the S650 was a lot less with it borrowing so heavily from the S550.

**FTE217** · 26-03-2025, 11:07 AM

OE's burning themselves as mentioned ie Stellantis from time to time is nothing new Ford incl.....
Like I said swings and roundabouts.

**kypez** · 26-03-2025, 11:18 AM

I guess Ford did farewell the V8 back in the 80's and then brought it back though I'm too young to know if the V8 went out with the fanfare that the Dodge models did. And cooking back much sooner by the looks of it.

Citroënbender · 26-03-2025, 12:03 PM

As enthusiast media was primarily in printed periodicals, it (ie; the XE swansong) wasn’t the same as you’d get now. Despite the appeals of the VL in Calais Turbo form, the return of Holden’s V8 in the VN definitely caught public attention.

**DFB FGXR6** · 26-03-2025, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

They haven't laughed to the bank for years now. And they'd burn their loyal fanbase in this move which can't be good for repeat business.

But they have already dropped the Hemi from a variety of models, but now bringing it back............................so they have already burnt the customer base.

**mad2** · 26-03-2025, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

But they have already dropped the Hemi from a variety of models, but now bringing it back............................so they have already burnt the customer base.

but they will come back . . . ..... as long as it's a big truck & V8

**kypez** · 27-03-2025, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

But they have already dropped the Hemi from a variety of models, but now bringing it back............................so they have already burnt the customer base.

Well, it's not 100% confirmed yet. Cool if they did. Looking at Mustang sales, it doesn't read well. Besides a few of us enthusiasts celebrating, it doesn't look like a smart direction or investment for a brand that is already hurting.

Truck makes sense. In the Charger, it makes much less sense.

**FTE217** · 27-03-2025, 09:39 AM

USA sales will be ok naturally the main target.
Regards to burnt customer base, some will be some won't give a toss, those that go others come in.......
Pricing typically will be affordable in the USA BUT Exports won't be anything to jump heads over heals.
I'd consider but when you end up being penalised by the currency exchange, Oz tax's, RHD conversion etc its just OTT for a merican average quality car over triple figures.
Anyway its a good news storey re ICE big motors.

**kypez** · 27-03-2025, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTE217

USA sales will be ok naturally the main target.

Anyway its a good news storey re ICE big motors.

US sales are terrible for Mustang at the moment. Whether that changes is to be seen once they go into Spring and cars like the Mustang are back on buyers minds. The price increases on the Mustang carry some blame but people aren't buying 2 door sports cars.

It might not be good news either really. Just like when Ford Australia dug in on the i6 vs switching to the US V6, it all but killed Falcon.

Spending money they don't have to bring a niche V8 to market might kill off the entire lineup (turbo 6 and all).

Time will tell if it is a good news story or a decision that was the final nail in the coffin for the brand.

Sprintey · 27-03-2025, 05:39 PM

It'll continue. Large industrial concerns are a protected species going forward, for reasons of international competition.

And I reckon the reason for the backflip was the European CEO and customer outcry - there was so much angst at the canning of the V8, it was being done for ideological emissions purposes, and the buyers hated that. His strategy of ramping prices beyond what the customers could pay also saw lot inventories get to ridiculous levels, and then dealer revolt. Now he's gone, they can rebuild and their customers can look forward the brand regaining its USP. They still have the Hurricane I6 and various PHEV and electric versions for customers that want those.

**kypez** · 28-03-2025, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprintey

It'll continue. Large industrial concerns are a protected species going forward, for reasons of international competition.

And I reckon the reason for the backflip was the European CEO and customer outcry - there was so much angst at the canning of the V8, it was being done for ideological emissions purposes, and the buyers hated that. His strategy of ramping prices beyond what the customers could pay also saw lot inventories get to ridiculous levels, and then dealer revolt. Now he's gone, they can rebuild and their customers can look forward the brand regaining its USP. They still have the Hurricane I6 and various PHEV and electric versions for customers that want those.

Heck, if companies just cater to the minority, we'd still have Falcon locally. Don't get me wrong, having driven the Challenger I simply loved it! It is what a muscle car should be! Much rougher than my Mustang which can be too smooth.

I feel that this isn't a smart decision in dwindling market. Like Mustang is now experiencing, they should be selling like hot cakes given they have the entire market to themselves but sales have tanked in the last few months.

Even with fuel so cheap, a LOT of buyers in the US still buy the Ecoboost and in the Charger/Challenger days, the non-V8 motors.

MITCHAY · 28-03-2025, 07:56 PM

A V8 Charger would make a nice 40th bday present for me but unlikely to happen

**DFB FGXR6** · 28-03-2025, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

Heck, if companies just cater to the minority, we'd still have Falcon locally. Don't get me wrong, having driven the Challenger I simply loved it! It is what a muscle car should be! Much rougher than my Mustang which can be too smooth.

I feel that this isn't a smart decision in dwindling market. Like Mustang is now experiencing, they should be selling like hot cakes given they have the entire market to themselves but sales have tanked in the last few months.

Even with fuel so cheap, a LOT of buyers in the US still buy the Ecoboost and in the Charger/Challenger days, the non-V8 motors.

Ford shot themselves in the foot with S650 pricing though, and I'm not talking Australian prices here. They knew it was going to be a one-horse race, so they hiked the prices thinking they would cash in on the demise of the other two pony cars. While Aussies were waiting two years for a S650, there were dealer lots full of unsold/unwanted Mustang's.

**kypez** · 28-03-2025, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Ford shot themselves in the foot with S650 pricing though, and I'm not talking Australian prices here. They knew it was going to be a one-horse race, so they hiked the prices thinking they would cash in on the demise of the other two pony cars. While Aussies were waiting two years for a S650, there were dealer lots full of unsold/unwanted Mustang's.

I'd suggest Dodge would have to charge a premium for their V8 as well given the retooling they'd have to go through to accommodate it (not just production of the motor). Or maybe do something like FPV used to do with the Falcons for the V8. Either way, I doubt it's going to undercut the Mustang.

**DFB FGXR6** · 28-03-2025, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

I'd suggest Dodge would have to charge a premium for their V8 as well given the retooling they'd have to go through to accommodate it (not just production of the motor). Or maybe do something like FPV used to do with the Falcons for the V8. Either way, I doubt it's going to undercut the Mustang.

Exactly, its a case of follow the leader, perhaps it will bring some of the buyers out of the woodwork if they see that the higher prices is the accepted norm.

**kypez** · 28-03-2025, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Exactly, its a case of follow the leader, perhaps it will bring some of the buyers out of the woodwork if they see that the higher prices is the accepted norm.

They can't follow the leader because the leader is hurting. So they'll spend money they don't have on a line to sell a car below the price they can afford to sell it for. Quickest way to bankrupt your organisation.

At least it will be a small number of buyers and hopefully their losses can be covered by the other cars