Chrysler kicks off 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 production
Chrysler today is celebrating the production launch of its most anticipated model for this year, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Production will kick off of roughly 7,000 units at its Brampton Assembly Plant which also builds Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300.
The 2008 year model run will be produced before production kicks off for the 2009 model year in August. For the 2009 model year Chrysler will offer three models including the base Dodge Challenger SE, Dodge Challenger R/T and the Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Dodge has already sold out its allocation for the 2008 model year of the SRT8 which was priced at $37,995.
Click through for more images and the press release.
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8:
Press Release:
Chrysler Celebrates Production of All-New 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
– Highly anticipated 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® production begins at Brampton Assembly Plant
– Employees, guests join Chrysler executive Vice President Frank Ewasyshyn for festivities
– Manufacturing expertise contributes to product quality
– Modern muscle car offers best of past, present
Chrysler LLC today celebrated the production launch of one of the industry’s most highly anticipated vehicles””the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8®. Dodge Challenger is back in Chrysler’s line-up as a modern muscle car with a new SRT8 model. A full line-up will follow in the 2009 model-year. Consumer interest in the Dodge Challenger has been some of the highest seen at Chrysler.
The all-new Dodge Challenger is built at Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly Plant on the same assembly line as the Dodge Charger and the award-winning Chrysler 300.
“Even though the development time for this Dodge Challenger SRT8 is one of the shortest in Chrysler’s history, the wait for this exciting car has been too long, and as of today, the wait is finally over!” said Frank Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President ““ Manufacturing. “Dodge Challenger represents the best of Chrysler’s past and future. The teams that worked to bring this vehicle to market with quality and speed have done an excellent job.”
Nearly 1,000 employees and invited guests joined Mr. Ewasyshyn for the celebration.
Quality Manufacturing
To ensure quality targets were met and to foster a smooth manufacturing launch, a team of Brampton employees spent months helping to build pilot vehicles at Chrysler’s Auburn Hills Technology Center. Then, early pre-production models were built on the Brampton assembly line””rather than a pilot facility””which allowed engineers to more realistically test the production process.
“The vision of rolling launches on lines that build multiple and variant models is becoming a reality as demonstrated with the Dodge Challenger at the Brampton Assembly Plant,” said Fred Godetel, Vice President ““ Car and Minivan Manufacturing. “Chrysler’s Flexible Manufacturing Strategy, little more than a theory a few years ago, is being proved out at plants across North America.”
The Brampton Assembly Plant features Chrysler’s Flexible Manufacturing Strategy which provides for the production of higher quality products at lower cost. This unique system combines off-the-shelf robotics with customized and interchangeable tooling to build a variety of products on a single assembly line. This manufacturing expertise also allows the Company to more quickly and easily balance vehicle production with customer demand.
Dodge Challenger
The return of the iconic Dodge Challenger combines unmistakable design cues reminiscent of the original Challenger with world-class performance. Approximately 7,000 2008 model-year vehicles for North American markets will be produced before 2009 model-year vehicles begin production in August. For 2009, the Company will offer three models: Dodge Challenger SE, Dodge Challenger R/T and Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Dodge dealers have seen a tremendous interest in the Dodge Challenger and 2008 models are already sold out.
Although the original Dodge Challenger muscle car lasted only five model years, the Dodge Challenger became one of the most storied muscle car nameplates in automotive history, with meticulously restored and rare examples today selling for six-figure prices.
The U.S. MSRP for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 starts at $37,995, including the $675 destination charge.
