No matter what has been said so far

[acesrt]

Has anyone considered the possibility that Cerberus
will ax the SRT division altogether?

I would guess that on its own SRT hasn't been as profitable when considering development costs, warranty/tsb expenses, and the amount of manufact. support that has been needed to get many of the units to sell

(It has gotten to the point when some dealers don't even want to stock SRTs anymore and will only special order them with a deposit in hand)


I understand that there are residual benefits such as increased floor traffic
Someone comes in on a Charger SRT, payment is too high, they put him in an R/T.......

But will Cerberus see this or care when staring at a money losing division?

[stevesrt8]

good point, but Chrysler has a loooooong history of bringing hi-po cars to market. SRT is definitely profitable for them. Probably more so than you would believe.

A lot of "Halo" cars are sold. Look at the ZO6. I'm almost positive there's more content there than you're paying for!

[DaveW68]

I have heard rumor that Cerebus has been considering killing off the SRT line of cars. That would be very unfortunate. Maybe they think they are going to start competing with Toyota by only offering vanilla cars without performance. I sure hope they don't go that route. That will kill Chrysler for sure, because God knows they can't compete with Toyota's reputation for reliablity and resale value. Amazingly, I never see any SRT performance cars advertised on TV. You'd think they would start forcing the fact that they are also a perfomance car builder too so the public knows. But you see plenty of Mustang commercials on TV bragging about the 300 hp GT. The only place you see any SRT ads is in auto mags, and that is usually the Charger mentioned.

[kevenj]

They may do it but it would be a major mistake; the SRT line creates excitment and interest. True not eveyone buys an SRT but like an earlier post said someone may come to check out a Charger SRT8 and end up driving away in a Daytona or R/T.

The cost of the SRT line isn't that much since with the exception of the Viper they are all based on existing models.

I hope they don't kill it... I'm seeing a Challenger SRT8 in my garage Anyone interested in buying a 1957 T-Bird? ....

[Northern Rider]

I don't think SRT is in jepordy. They have left LaSorda in a key position, and he is a "car" guy. Understands the importance of "halo" vehicles in the line-up. Most manufacturers are ramping up the specialty, performance image of their line-up.

Most of the SRT's are built right from the LX assembly in Brampton. It's easy to adjust production numbers. The only SRT I see getting the axe is the Calibre effort, which has not been going well from a technical viewpoint.

Lastly, they are bringing in the Chinese Chery which will sell for under $10K. Most analyists predict a huge home run for this little car.

If anything, I predict that the LX SRT's will get significant performance boosts over the next 24 months, such as new differerentials, half-shafts; advanced tuning and engine goodies - maybe even a 6.4 stroker option!!! Cererus, unlike Mercedes has no reason to hold back on the Mopar performance options, imo.

[DaveW68]

Originally Posted by kevenj

I hope they don't kill it... I'm seeing a Challenger SRT8 in my garage Anyone interested in buying a 1957 T-Bird? ....

I'd love to have any '55-'57 T-bird in my garage. IMO, it is one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Too bad it wouldn't fit in the garage. Maybe when the kids are grown and we can have less crap in the garage.

[DaveW68]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

Lastly, they are bringing in the Chinese Chery which will sell for under $10K. Most analyists predict a huge home run for this little car.

Chery has some nice looking cars. Except for the fact that they are total pieces of crap with such shoddy build quality that the Yugo GV and Hyundai Excel were better cars. Chery has a long way to go before their cars will ever be allowed on US roads.

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

I don't think SRT is in jeopardy.

Not in the least...

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

The only SRT I see getting the axe is the Caliber effort, which has not been going well from a technical viewpoint.

The Caliber SRT4 is alive and well. Pricing was officially announced today, production starts in just a few weeks. I think it's going to do very well.

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

If anything, I predict that the LX SRT's will get significant performance boosts over the next 24 months...

I "predict" that your prediction is pretty accurate.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by DaveW68

I'd love to have any '55-'57 T-bird in my garage. IMO, it is one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Too bad it wouldn't fit in the garage. Maybe when the kids are grown and we can have less crap in the garage.

Dave, my next door neighbour has a 55, 56, and a 57 Bird in his workshop behind his house. he has done total "frame-up' restorations on each one. They are to die for!

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed

Not in the least...



The Caliber SRT4 is alive and well. Pricing was officially announced today, production starts in just a few weeks. I think it's going to do very well.



I "predict" that your prediction is pretty accurate.

RS, I'm glad to here that the Caliber is finally going to production. BTW - Danny Knotts, the former head of SRT, now heads up world wide parts for Chrysler. If anyone can get MOPAR performance stuff to us for the SRT, it's him.