Posted on 08/21/2024 4:15:18 AM PDT by MtnClimber
A long-profitable niche for American car makers has been the all-American muscle car. Low-slung, two door sedans with enormous horsepower, wide tires, aggressive styling and the low rumble of those powerful V-8 engines. There’s nothing quite like them, and they sell for a premium. Ford made the Mustang, Chevy the Camaro, and Dodge, the Charger and Challenger.
They were initially designed to go fast in a straight line, but as technology improved and suspensions became more sophisticated, they began to hold their own on the racetrack as well as the drag strip, and their internal amenities began to rival luxury sedans. Dodge’s 2023 Challenger, available in a variety of models, boasted a beginning price of $32,800. But engines of over 700 horsepower were available, pushing the MSRP to some $99,315. The more horsepower, the higher the price, and prices from $60,000 to $80,000 were demanded for the real muscle cars.
And suddenly, in August of 2022, Dodge announced beginning in the 2024 model year, there would be no low, V-8 rumble, at least not a gasoline-powered rumble. Dodge was going full woke and would henceforth produce only electric powered muscle cars.
We’ve seen American auto manufacturers indulging in economic suicide before. Donald Trump is correct in asserting that going electric vehicle (EV) crazy will destroy union jobs. Union bosses are all in for Kamala Harris. Union workers are all in for Donald Trump. Even as Ford and Chevy are admitting there is no real demand for EVs, and in the face of billions in losses over their EVs, are seriously walking back their EV offerings, Dodge seems determined to convince muscle car customers they don’t really want muscle cars after all.
Muscle car enthusiasts willing to part with nearly $100,000 dollars aren’t going to be satisfied with muscle cars...
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
I could have had a V8!
We need to stop bailing these companies out when they make stupid decisions. This decision is going to cost the taxpayers.
EV:
My first vehicle was a 1973 Chevy C10 pickup with a 350 ci engine and a 4 barrel carb on top. After replacing the exhaust system with headers and Cherry Bomb mufflers, it became the only loud vehicle I ever owned. Fun at first, annoying from then on. Especially on long trips.
😂 MtnClimber shoots and scores!!!
Love to lissen to those zuost pipes though.
I predict it will go as well as New Coke.
The Union Bosses know who their real masters are, and work to please them.
Yes, these are stupid decision from customer point of view.
But, remember, these decisions are forced on manufacturers by stupid government.
You know, those EPA people coming with impossible car rules like CAFE.
It is to “save the Earth” and “save you money”.
Government knows best what is the best for you.
Once they came out with the slant six that was the beginning of the end.
“The exhaust system on the concept Charger, which [Dodge CEO Tim] Kuniskis said is as loud as a Hellcat engine, pushes sound through an amplifier and tuning chamber located at the rear of the vehicle. He compared it to a wind organ with chambers and pipes.”
So, it’s the Milli Vanilli of EVs? 🤔
Same with Harley D.
There is a huge rift between union members and union bosses.
The bosses like to strengthen their power by all kind of “pro union” legislatures. So they love Democrats.
The members, lot of them, realize that they could have all kind of laws and benefits on paper, but the jobs will be gone.
Unions are killing the goose, who lays the golden eggs.
UAW lost like 90% of members and they are still loosing more jobs.
Anyone remember the Ford Mustang during the 60’s - 60’s? We had the Muscle version and then went to the 4 cylinder Mustang.
“But, remember, these decisions are forced on manufacturers by stupid government.”
But they are not mandated yet. And because of the current trend to reject EVs we already know, and THEY already know that this is going to fail. And they also know that the government will bail them out if they fail.
Yep, I remember when they went to the Mustang II. They went from Shelby Mustangs to the Mustang IIs in what seemed the blink of an eye.
Pretty soon, a Chinese company or dead. F ‘em.
The only electric-powered ‘muscle car’ is the ones like I used to play with in slot racing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.