Earlier this month, Chrysler Group LLC’s CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled what he has planned for the American automaker under its alliance with Fiat SpA. At the time, Dodge president and CEO Ralph Gilles confirmed that Chrysler will produce only 500 more units of the Dodge Viper and that a new sports car will replace the model in the summer of 2012.
He even said that it won’t be anything like the current model. Then Gilles went on to say something that would make any enthusiast go crazy. He said that the new sports car will be built in collaboration with Fiat – and of course, Fiat has really some really well known friends in Maranello – Ferrari. Just imagine the possibilities.
“When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports-car makers in the world, the future opportunities are huge,” Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles said.
However, when asked by AutoWeek whether or not we can expect a Ferrari Dodge Viper, Gilles said “No.” Then what did the Dodge CEO mean by “opportunities are huge?”
“They really know sports cars. We just want some advice. Ferrari is Ferrari, Viper is Viper. Please don’t go there.”
Sorry for dreaming Gilles. We’ll keep our hopes down next time around.
- By: Kap Shah
Source: AutoWeek
