ˆ Saleen, Roush potential buyers for expandable Viper range

tags : cerebus viper , cerebusviper , chrysler conner avenue , chrysler viper , chryslerconneravenue , chryslerviper , dodge conner avenue , dodge viper roush , dodge viper saleen , dodgeconneravenue , dodgeviperroush , dodgevipersaleen , roush viper , roushviper , saleen viper , saleenviper , sms viper , smsviper , viper for sale , viperforsale

While sales of the Dodge Viper may be down, Chrysler President Jim Press insists that buyers have been lining up to buy the entire operation. Among those potentially interested are American powerhouses Roush and Saleen. The latter, it's worth noting, is already involved in making the Viper, painting the cars off the assembly line. Whatever company ends up buying the Viper operation, Chrysler expects to make anywhere from $50 million to three times that before it vacates its Conner Avenue plant by the end of 2011, and has hired financial firm Lazard Limited to handle the sale. Potentially of equal interest will be the opportunity, as Press sees it, to expand the Viper line-up. We're not sure what else you could make on the V10 sportscar platform, considering that convertible, coupe and hard-core track-day versions are already in line-up. But we'd sure be interested to find out.

posted : 9/23/2008 @11:09:36 PM

ˆ REPORT: Chrysler may sell Dodge Viper rather than kill it

tags : breaking , chrysler , chrysler selling viper , chrysler sells viper , chrysler viper , chryslersellingviper , chryslersellsviper , chryslerviper , dodge , dodge viper , dodgeviper , viper , viper sold , vipersold

The Dodge Viper has been Chrysler's halo car since it was introduced back in 1992, but times are tough. Faced with the fact that it might not be able to continue making the brutish sports car, the Auburn Hills-based automaker is reportedly considering doing something that's never been done before by a domestic automaker (as for as we know): selling the Viper's future to a third party. Automotive News quotes Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli saying, "We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper." Nardelli claims that whatever happens, his company will work to make sure the best interests of Viper fanboys are served and that Chrysler would continue to offer "operational and financial" support for the car if a transaction takes place. We're honestly a little stunned that Chrysler would consider such a drastic action, though if it means the Viper won't be sacrificed at the altar of economic woes, we're all for it. On the other hand, how does one separate Dodge from the Viper? Can you imagine Ford selling the Mustang to ROUSH or GM selling the Corvette to Lingenfelter? Chrysler has not identified any of the Viper's suitors, so rather than a familiar tuning house, it could also be a conglomerate of investors or another automaker. Is a Viper sold by another brand still a Viper?

posted : 9/13/2008 @6:00:43 AM

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