With Chrysler’s bankruptcy problems, the automaker has been trying hard to unload its Dodge Viper
business. Since late in 2008, Chrysler has been working to find a buyer
for the Viper sports car brand, but unfortunately the only offers
available went up to $10 million – far less than Chrysler was hoping.
As a result of the Viper brand being virtually unsellable, Chrysler
will be holding onto it, meaning the brand will be handed over to Fiat
to control. Reportedly, Chrysler had received offers of up to $35
million for the Dodge Viper business, but unfortunately used cars Connecticut dealers believe these offers were well before bankruptcy and needless to say have since fell through.
With Chrysler now emerging from bankruptcy as a new company, the
Viper’s fate will now be decided by Italian automaker Fiat. This
includes the control of all Viper assets says Texas Dodge.
Fiat can continue to look for a potential buyer for the assets.
However, the other option is for Fiat is to simply dissolve the brand,
which one body shop Oklahoma City observes is a sure way to remove competition from Fiat’s own Ferrari and Maserati sports car brands.
The Dodge Viper brand began 17 years ago. The brand helped Chrysler
add a performance pedigree to its image and has earned a cult
following. After a mere 25,000 Vipers have been produced, there will
still be plenty of disappointed enthusiasts should the brand cease to
exist.
Joe Kent is a writer for TK Carsites, an automotive website design and marketing firm in Orange, CA, that specializes in automotive SEO and working with car dealers nationwide.
