Chrysler to start negotiations for Viper brand in “another three or four weeks”
09/24/2008, 4:02 PM
By Drew Johnson
Chrysler announced late last month that its Viper brand was up for ‘strategic review’ – aka ‘for sale’ – and it doesn’t look as though the Michigan automaker will waste any time getting the Snake to market. A new report finds that Chrysler will soon begin taking bids for its Viper line, with the possibility of a sale in as little as a few weeks.
Similar to General Motors’ decision to sell its Hummer SUV brand, Chrysler’s sale of the Viper brand is intended to bring in some extra cash while allowing the struggling automaker to focus on its core business.
Although Chrysler just announced that it was considering the sale of the Viper brand less than a month ago, Chrysler’s high-performance vehicle line could find itself with a new owner before 2008 is over. “We’ve had a lot of excitement,” Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom Lasorda told Just-Auto. “We will start negotiations in probably another three or four weeks.”
Chrysler is in desperate need of a cash influx after losing $400 million during the first eight months of 2008. The automaker also recently announced its plans to have an electric vehicle to market by 2010, which will require a huge investment.
However, fans of high-performance Dodges might not be left out in the cold after Chrysler parts ways with the Viper. Dodge’s future vehicle plans will likely include the recently unveiled Dodge EV, which has a strong focus on performance with the added benefits of zero emissions motoring.
09/24, 4:41 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
When you start selling parts of your soul there is very little left afterwards.
09/24, 4:46 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
i bid…………….. ONE WHOLE DOLLAR !!!!
09/24, 4:47 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Not surprising it could happen soon. The difference between Viper and Hummer is that people actually still want Vipers.
09/24, 5:15 PM
posted by:
zeeck
Well there goes the only reason I liked Chrysler, I hope whoever buys it doesn’t **** it up
09/24, 5:15 PM
posted by:
tzu13
09/24, 5:17 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Hay….., Saleen, where are you at! You built the Ford GT, for Ford, you make the S7 that go’s for half a mill, what’s up with you, adopt this car in to your family, you can make it work, don’t let this American Icon die in the wrong hands, America needs it’s own super cars, Ford Shelby, Chevy SS Camaro, Dodge Challenger have souls of Muscle car, The Ford GT (even if it was for a limited time only) the Chevy Corvette, the Dodge Viper is America’s fighters ageist the Euro exotics and Asian invasion of sport tuners, We need to keep up the fight, as bad as thing are, even if it’s in last place, we need to keep in the game, So come on! get on the horn with Dodge and make some thing happen. just don’t let it die in the wrong hands…
09/24, 6:18 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
the TATA Viper … this is a tragedy. in the making i rather they kill the car then sell it. this is a honestly a ****ing joke that would be like selling the mustang or the m5 nameplate it makes no ****ing sense what soever thats like saying the ford enzo or the honda chevelle
09/24, 7:27 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Bob should sell it to his old friends at Home Depot. They’ll be displayed right alongside the rest of the garden tractors.
09/24, 9:59 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
The only people who buy the Viper are race drivers..just like the only people who buy Hummers is the Las Vegas CSI team and people who want to waist their money on an over sized SUV costing 50+ grand for something they probably will never actually use it for what its made for..OFF ROADING!!
But if Chrysler needs the money to..well waist it.. on developing electric cars..well Chrysler, theres no point..really
I say Chrysler, sell the damn “brand” and save the money.
09/25, 7:15 AM
posted by:
DarkOps
I am not to be liking this crap, the Snake (Viper) is to be in Detroit. And not in some third world, telemarkteers call-center country. I am to be getting a bad feeling about this whole situation.
Chrysler is to be screwing up a good thing here. Next they’ll try to be selling the Dodge Trucks division to Russia, Nyet……………….
09/25, 9:27 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
This is a disgrace! The Viper is one of the best supercars along with the Corvette, especially considering their price. I hope the Viper stays in North American hands where it belongs, and not in some shed in the East.
09/25, 9:42 AM
posted by:
slider5634
This actually sounds like good news to me. Get Viper off the sinking ship before it goes under. I’d hate to have to see Viper go under with Chrysler.
09/25, 10:49 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
I still say Viper is a car, not a brand. I think they’re going to have a real tough time selling this as a stand-alone brand. The Viper was never designed to be a profitable venture – merely a halo car for marketing. A buyer would only be interested in it if it was a profitable operation.
I’m sure the MBA’s at Cerberus put together some nice looking pitch books with made up projections showing the Viper makes tons of money to prospective investors. They just need a sucker to buy into the B.S.
09/25, 12:55 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Perhaps Hennesy (sp?) would buy it?
09/25, 3:18 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
RaineMan: that would be the most awesome thing ever since sliced bread. However, I don’t think Hennessey has that much capital to buy it. I could be wrong, though…
09/25, 6:27 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Hey, Jumpoffit, what if you actually won the bid? What would you do?
…just curious…