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Chrysler/Dodge parent
Stellantis
said it is retiring the gasoline-powered versions of its iconic Charger and Challenger muscle cars, but announced one final lineup of gas-fueled models for 2023.
Those classic American muscle cars have been around since the 1960s. The Charger might have been made most famous by the 1980s TV show and 2005 film The Dukes of Hazzard. Protagonists Bo and Luke Duke drove around in a 1969 orange Dodge Charger.
The gasoline-powered Charger and Challenger—which have model names including Demon, Hellcat, Redeye, Scat Pack, Shaker, and Jailbreak—are being retired; that means any new models would have to go electric after that. In 2023,
Stellantis
(ticker: STLA) will release seven special edition “last call,” gas-powered Challenger and Charger vehicles.
“We are celebrating the end of an era—and the start of a bright new electrified future—by staying true to our brand,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer, in a news release. “The brand will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in their current form in the same way that got us here, with a passion both for our products and our enthusiasts that drives us to create as much uniqueness in the muscle car community and marketplace as possible.”
Exactly what comes after the gasoline-powered vehicles isn’t known. Stellantis has said it will launch “the world’s first full battery electric muscle car” in 2024. Retiring the current gasoline-powered models opens up the possibility that car will be either an EV Charger or EV Challenger. It could be called something else, though. Stellantis didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Whatever it is called, it should have the power and styling American consumers have come to expect in Dodge muscle cars.
Stellantis stock is flat in overseas trading Tuesday.
S&P 500
and
Dow Jones Industrial Average
futures are both down about 0.1%
Year to date, Stellantis’ U.S. listed American depositary receipts are down about 19%. Auto stocks have suffered amid soaring inflation and rising interest rates. Automotive shares in the
Russell 3000 Index
are down about 16% year to date, on average.
Write to Al Root at allen.root@dowjones.com
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