DaimlerChrysler earlier announced that the 2008 Dodge Challenger will be built at its Brampton Assembly Plant near Toronto.
Reid Bigland, the President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Canada, said, “It's good news that the Dodge Challenger will be added to the Canadian production line-up. Quickly bringing desirable new products such as the Dodge Challenger to market is critical to keeping our plants humming and our dealerships busy."
Before, the Brampton plant manufactures vehicles like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and the Dodge Magnum and the plant also works on three shifts. Now, it will be joining the Dodge Challenger in its auto repertoire. Production of the Challenger will start next year. Preparations to ready the plant, the production of Dodge body parts, and other facilities for the Challenger are now underway.
"Brampton is our first plant to demonstrate the ability to build four models on one line," said Frank Ewasyshyn, the Executive Vice President for manufacturing of the Chrysler Group. "As we continue to expand our new model lineup and further implement our flexible manufacturing strategy, other facilities will also have this capability," he adds.
The Dodge Challenger concept was showcased at last year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The production version, on the other hand, will be true to both its classic and modern origin. So far, the Challenger is the first coupe to be manufactured on Chrysler Group’s large car platform. The coupe will be sharing a similar platform with the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and the Dodge Magnum.
The new version is engineered to become a two-door, HEMI® V-8-powered, rear-drive vehicle that will boost its ancestor’s drive feel and capabilities. The company has placed a clock along with the concept car to do the count down to the unveiling of the production version of the Dodge Challenger at the Chicago Auto Show in 2008.
"Our speed to market means that Challenger production is now measured in only days," said George Murphy, the Senior Vice President Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. "The ability to quickly react to ever-changing consumer tastes is a competitive advantage for the company."
Dodge’s clock reflects anticipation and it will just a little time before the new Challenger will be available in dealerships. Moreover, the company has already seen ardent feedback to the Dodge Challenger. With its bold and powerful charisma, no Dodge enthusiast or auto aficionado, for that matter, would ignore its radiance. As a fact, 1.5 million visits are recorded on the Dodge.com Web site in 2006 and 20,000 potential customers have asked the company for more product information regarding the all-new Dodge Challenger.
By: Katie Jones