Challengers and Chargers aren’t selling that well right now because the economy is so bad & interest rates are so high. This is the final year of production.
The new structure under Stellantis is already paying off for the Dodge brand, as their first new vehicle in a decade, the Dodge Hornet, will reach its dealerships later in 2022. Based on the subcompact Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet is a plug-in hybrid, marking Dodge‘s first electrified vehicle. And much to Alfa Romeo’s chagrin, the Hornet will have a starting price of $10,000 less than the least expensive Tonale. Dodge will discontinue its gas-powered Challenger and Charger muscle cars at the end of next year, marking the end of an era for the brand as it starts to transition to electric vehicles.
Since being resurrected in the mid- to late 2000s, the Charger and Challenger — names made popular in the 1960s and 1970s — have been stalwarts for Dodge and popular vehicles for a new generation of gearheads. But Dodge is ready to cast off its bonds with the past, as next year will see a series of seven “Last Call” editions of the storied Challenger and Charger. The first of these, the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown, will debut in November at the 2022 SEMA show in Las Vegas. The limited-edition Shakedown will feature unique exterior and interior treatments, with a 345-cubic-inch Hemi V8 under the hood.
Dodge has also teased its legion of fans with the Charger Daytona SRT Concept. This all-electric coupe idea could foreshadow what’s ahead. Among the features highlighted during the 2022 Dodge Speed Week event reveal is the new 800-volt Banshee electric propulsion system. Should this go into production, the system would be in the upper range of capabilities, as Lucid and top-tier GM models use 800- to 900-volt EV systems. In comparison, Tesla uses 300- to 400-volt systems for its models.
The two-door Challenger particularly struck a chord of nostalgia with buyers thanks to its retro-inspired styling, while the four-door Charger has managed to achieve notable sales milestones despite consumers flocking from sedans to SUVs in recent years.
Dodge has also been able to juice profits from the vehicles, which have starting prices ranging from the low-$30,000s to nearly $90,000 for its infamous Hellcat models that produce more than 700 horsepower.
