New Chrysler Owns the Viper - See Below

[Bobpantax]

Below is the language from the 5/31 amended Master Transaction Agreement that was authorized by the Court Order today. It is self explanatory. So, if the Viper Enterprise is going to be a separate company, it will have to be sold by the New Chrysler. In the meantime, I think it is good news because it probably means that the New Chrysler may start up production again. The recent analysis showing that the Jeep line and the Viper line were the only two lines that had stand alone value may have had something to do with the change. Now I see why Herb had time to post so much tonight. The pressure, for now, is off. Dealers who read this post - please post if the order book for Vipers reopens.

19. Section 2.15 of the MTA shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“Section 2.15 Viper. Purchaser agrees to purchase, and the Sellers
agree to sell, Intellectual Property and Purchased Inventories that relate
solely to vehicle production of the Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 vehicle
models and are not necessary or useful in any other line of business (the
“Viper Assets”) on the Closing Date, as if the Viper Assets were being
purchased and sold as Purchased Assets pursuant to Section 2.06. For the
purposes of this Section 2.15, vehicle production means the production
and sale of Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 vehicle models, engines and
accessories (including related non-core Viper branded merchandise
(including toy vehicle replicas, clothing and video games) and marine
engines based on the Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10 engine, as
conducted by the Sellers prior to the Closing.”​

20.

 

[FrankBarba]

So are the Vipers to be built "Dodge Vipers" or "New Chrysler Vipers" ???

 

[Bobpantax]

If they are built, they would be the New Dodge Vipers since the Dodge brand will exist in the New Chrysler. But, it occurred to me that maybe Fiat has something a bit different in mind. Fiat acquired Ferrari and let it continue as an autonomous entity. Ferrari had, and has fanatical customers. Viper has fanatical customers. What has been missing is the autonomy and funding necessary to really allow the Viper to realize its full potential as a supercar. Also, in reviewing Herb's many posts about ideas for the new Viper Enterprise it seems like he may have been influenced by discussions with the types of marketing and product synthesis people that are involved in Ferrari. ( Not the nanny tech aspect of the car but the other custom aspects of the Ferrari experience.) So, perhaps it is now the intent of Fiat to take the assets of the Viper Enterprise; create a new stand alone Viper Motors LLC with an autonomous, highly motivated management and development team unfettered by multiple layers of the corporate walking dead and adequately fund it. It would make a lot of sense to do so and in my humble opinion it would be a money maker. There might even be a little tech sharing between the two brands. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the VVT system in the Viper and the Venom programming that goes with it the best in the high performance world at the moment? Similarly, doesn't Ferrari have some interesting tech ( not nany tech). What if a Viper revved to 7000 or 7500 RPM? What if a Viper had optional paddle shifting? I am probably wrong but it is interesting to theorize about the future.

 

[Warfang]

If they are built, they would be the New Dodge Vipers since the Dodge brand will exist in the New Chrysler. But, it occurred to me that maybe Fiat has something a bit different in mind. Fiat acquired Ferrari and let it continue as an autonomous entity. Ferrari had, and has fanatical customers. Viper has fanatical customers. What has been missing is the autonomy and funding necessary to really allow the Viper to realize its full potential as a supercar. Also, in reviewing Herb's many posts about ideas for the new Viper Enterprise it seems like he may have been influenced by discussions with the types of marketing and product synthesis people that are involved in Ferrari. ( Not the nanny tech aspect of the car but the other custom aspects of the Ferrari experience.) So, perhaps it is now the intent of Fiat to take the assets of the Viper Enterprise; create a new stand alone Viper Motors LLC with an autonomous, highly motivated management and development team unfettered by multiple layers of the corporate walking dead and adequately fund it. It would make a lot of sense to do so and in my humble opinion it would be a money maker. There might even be a little tech sharing between the two brands. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the VVT system in the Viper and the Venom programming that goes with it the best in the high performance world at the moment? Similarly, doesn't Ferrari have some interesting tech ( not nany tech). What if a Viper revved to 7000 or 7500 RPM? What if a Viper had optional paddle shifting? I am probably wrong but it is interesting to theorize about the future.

Herb has been distancing himself from the days of "Throwing people out of his office for asking about cruise control," and is now open to "special packages" for the Viper. I took that as a departure of a purist car and the gradual creep of features like paddles and nannies as "packaged" options. And I'm sure this will lead to increased prices, even for the purist models, because R&D always gets passed to the entire product line, not just the specific car.

Just a hunch on my part... guess all good things come to an end.

 

[triplexotica]

Paddle shifting would be nice!

 

[PaViper]

What I am thinking is the running gear and chassis will remain the same, but the car will be re-skinned

 

[HSSSSSS]

What I am thinking is the running gear and chassis will remain the same, but the car will be re-skinned

WHAT?? A Viper that doesn't look like a Viper??

 

[FrankBarba]

So the Vipers that are on the line now waiting in hiatisis will be called what? ______________ Viper

 

[GBS]

I hope Viper survives. Fiat does own both Ferrari and Maserati. It seems both Ferrari and Maserati have spent a lot of money on new development in recent years. It would be great if Viper continues and gets more R&D funding.

 

[PaViper]

So the Vipers that are on the line now waiting in hiatisis will be called what? ______________ Viper

Frank, maybe you nailed it, perhaps they will just leave it at that....... VIPER, with nothing else

 

[Disturbed]

No CC, no TC, no Nanny Tech, no Paddle shift. If they are going to add all that "stuff". Just let the car die, it would be better.

IF they want to make a DOHC 8000rpm 8.5L screamer w/ all that stuff, don't call it a Viper...maybe a Challanger.

If they made it a 8,000rpm, DOHC 8.5L monster w/o all that "stuff" then it would still be a Viper. A Viper is not meant to be socially acceptable. It guzzle fuel like water, burns rubber for fun, scares children for cheap thrills but in the end, it's still needs to be a driver's car. That is the Viper's DNA.

 

[CarDude]

Flame suit on....

Sometimes I feel like the only person who gets it...but if the 2008-2009 Viper line was selling so poorly that they had to offer incentives out the ****, then what can continuing the operation accomplish. If the "new" viper is going to be a 60K super car, then I give up. The 08-09 is the fastest and most well equipped Viper to date...what's it gonna take to sell the damn car...let the dead snake lie.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Blasphemy!! People aren't buying much of anything in this economy. Its not the car its the state of the economy. Heck I've already been told I'm losing my job in a couple of months. So I should be saving my a@@ off. However, I've never been very good at that saving thing so I went to Buhler and bought a second Viper, an 08. Love the thing. Most of us on this site already own one or more Vipers but I don't think the unwashed (non-Viper owners) are parting with their savings right now for pretty much anything. Most aren't as stupid as I am so they're cutting back on everything even if their job is safe. That is why every car company is hurting.

 

[Boxer12]

Guys who want big displacement and raw delivery just want a muscle car. They just want the biggest and baddest muscle car they can get their hands on. Duh. Is Detroit going to keep building muscle cars that don't sell? That is the question. My wish list: #1-Alum space frame and aerodynamic design that doesn't require big wings to keep it on the ground. #2-lower displacement and higher revs to go with lower weight (makes the car more functional in twisties). #3-Mid-engine. Call it whatever you want. Give it a number, I don't care, because now you have a 'supercar' instead of a 'muscle car,' and if its good and priced competitively (under $100k), ppl will line up to buy it.

 

[Simms]

I'd like to hear what Chris and Herb have to say about this news.

 

[dave6666]

I lost interest in NASCAR when they put splitters and wings on the "stock cars."

A mid engine "muscle car?"



Someone pull out their rule book, but doesn't a muscle car have the engine in the front and the drive axle in the back?

 

[Vipuronr]

Maybe a different perspective....I have one Viper - 98 RT/10 - and two little kids. I'm not in the market for another one (like mine), but have lived through hard times in the past when people pulled back spending to survive. All the high end performance cars are hurting to one extent or another, but they cater to people who generally are in a totally different economic bracket then the average family. The stock market has slowly been coming back and tends to precede an economic comeback by about 8 months. At some point, the economy will be better again, and those who are in the market for high end cars will be there again...including those who want Vipers, SRT's or ACR's...that will be the market they target.

The Viper will never be a main stream or high unit production car and those in power, like Fiat, recognize that as they do with Ferrari and Maserati. If adding paddle shifting or other conveniences adds to the appeal, so be it. As long as Viper continues to represent one of the few raw power supercars in the world. I, for one, trust that Fiat will not make the wrong decision and may actually provide the capital to resume R&D and re-design for the future. Of course, this assumes that continuing to produce Viper is in their overall corporate strategic plans.

Just one person's opinion.

 

[slaughterj]

Paddles and nannies are fine, in the home, but not in the Viper!

 

[fireball]

My 2 cents. If I wanted a high revving, paddle shift, mid engine supercar, I would have bought one. There are many to choose from. I bought my Viper(s) because of how they perform at the track. They're one of the best cars out there - and I've had the privilege to drive many top line cars (Enzo's, MC-12, F-40, F-430, Murci, on and on).

The Viper falls in my price range, I like the look and I love the performance.

I don't want a nanny car - I want a Viper.

Greg

 

[CarDude]

The problem is there aren't enough of us buying them...period. The 2006 Viper Coupe was a flop...and that was the returning year for the coupe after a three year hiatus. They didn't make any in 2007 then returned in 08 to a poor market. It was dying before the market collapse.

Look, I am a car fanatic, but I really can't believe that the government is about to own the largest chunks of two automakers. Where will this government ownership stop? Are we going to be a socialist republic? If a business can't keep afloat, why should we all pay....

Up next, the new socialist healthcare system...

 

[Abe Froman]

(This is Sung with you best Doors/ Jim Morrison Voice)

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
Theres danger on the edge of town
Ride the kings highway, baby
Weird scenes inside the gold mine
Ride the highway west, baby

Ride the snake, ride the snake
To the lake, the ancient lake, baby
The snake is long, seven miles
Ride the snake...hes old, and his skin is cold

 

[VIPER R]

I,d be curious to know how many first time buyers there have been in the past few years?

 

[Boxer12]

My 2 cents. If I wanted a high revving, paddle shift, mid engine supercar, I would have bought one. There are many to choose from. I bought my Viper(s) because of how they perform at the track. They're one of the best cars out there - and I've had the privilege to drive many top line cars (Enzo's, MC-12, F-40, F-430, Murci, on and on).

The Viper falls in my price range, I like the look and I love the performance.

I don't want a nanny car - I want a Viper.

Greg

I am sure you are happy with your ACR for the money, but I doubt the NEW CHRYSLER is really worried about track performance, more like sales performance. Last time I checked, there are no high revving mid-engined supercars equipped for the track in your price range, if you are talking Viper money, esp if you are talking track expenses on top of it (which go way up with the exotics, which aren't really track machines anyway except the F-40 but they cost a fortune and even more to fix). So you didn't really have the option. The prob is, there aren't enough ppl that are happy with the current platform to really make it viable (when you factor in cost of a factory and dealer network, etc). NEW IDEAS are required to sustain the product. There aren't enough track junkies to keep it alive.

 

[fireball]

I agree. I'm a very small market. I think the Corvette is more viable simply because it does have all the nanny stuff. There's certainly no doubt that the new business model must appeal to a larger market but it'll make the car less appealing to me.

I have a Hummer - a real one (renamed by GM from Hummer to H1 Hummer but to me it's still a Hummer) - talk about your small market vehicle!

I've had many vehicles in my life and my Hummer is one that I'll die with. To me it's the most awesome 4x4 ever and is never likely to be eclipsed. I just love it.

I really like my ACR and if the world of performance cars takes a dive again (think 1972) I just might keep the car forever as well. I'd like to buy a new one in a few years but not one with paddle shift and cupholders. If it's faster - and has the nanny stuff, then I have a decision to make...

BTW, my price range does include F-430's and Gallardo's. I'd opt out at the price of a Murci or 599 and up. I think the F430 Scud is one of the worlds best cars - but I don't want one, it's just not me. I'm a big guy and I look silly in the red shirts that you're obligated to wear.

Anyway, long live the Viper and may it get 'better' every year!

Greg

 

[joedud]

I,d be curious to know how many first time buyers there have been in the past few years?

Since you asked . . .

I bought my first and only Viper last fall. I had been set to get an SRT-8 Challenger (I had a Rallye Challenger "back in the day"), but by the time I would have been done with it, I figured I could buy a Gen III Viper. Then I realized I should just wait and get a Gen IV. And I'm glad I did.

 

[Y2K10 SRT#39]

The problem is there aren't enough of us buying them...period. The 2006 Viper Coupe was a flop...and that was the returning year for the coupe after a three year hiatus. They didn't make any in 2007 then returned in 08 to a poor market. It was dying before the market collapse.

Part of the low sales is due to the wrong design of the "new" coupe. I used to have a GTS. I fit in that, but I do NOT fit in the new coupe. Not enough head room. I told the design team that was a mistake and sales would suffer.

PBR

 

[kennyhemi]

(This is Sung with you best Doors/ Jim Morrison Voice)

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
Theres danger on the edge of town
Ride the kings highway, baby
Weird scenes inside the gold mine
Ride the highway west, baby

Ride the snake, ride the snake
To the lake, the ancient lake, baby
The snake is long, seven miles
Ride the snake...hes old, and his skin is cold

My mind started to drift to other things! Sorry!

 

[dodgefever]

New Chrysler LLC. to purchase Viper?

This news tidbit was mentioned and then buried in another thread, but if it means what it appears to mean, the new Fiat/Chrysler has ammended the purchase papers and now want to purchase Viper. Here is the quote from the Master Transaction Agreement.

"19. Section 2.15 of the MTA shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“Section 2.15 Viper. Purchaser agrees to purchase, and the Sellers
agree to sell, Intellectual Property and Purchased Inventories that relate
solely to vehicle production of the Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 vehicle
models and are not necessary or useful in any other line of business (the
“Viper Assets”) on the Closing Date, as if the Viper Assets were being
purchased and sold as Purchased Assets pursuant to Section 2.06. For the
purposes of this Section 2.15, vehicle production means the production
and sale of Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 vehicle models, engines and
accessories (including related non-core Viper branded merchandise
(including toy vehicle replicas, clothing and video games) and marine
engines based on the Chrysler Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10 engine, as
conducted by the Sellers prior to the Closing.”

The original section 2.15 said existing Chrysler would sell Viper. This ammendment reads to me that Viper will remain with the new company. Anyone read this different?​

 

[NI-KA]

I,d be curious to know how many first time buyers there have been in the past few years?

Bought my first Viper this last January

Love the car

Must admit what I really want is an ACR, however no matter how I cut it, stretch it, or wish. I have probably boaught as much car as I can afford (and I will probably continue to look as long as I won a Viper). I have already taken mine to the track.

I wouldn't have considered one a year ago, since the super great deal I got on my '06 coupe wouldn't have existed. I prefer the Gen III & IV styling to the Gen I & II but thats me.

I am 6'2" and had to lower the driver seat 2". Much Better to drive now

I would prefer to see these cars continue to be made ( maybe then I will be able to eventually get my hands on an ACR! )

The fact is many people do not consider them because they
are:
1. Intimidated by them (i.e. Who hasn't heard rumours of people wrecking Vipers. Which translates into not enough "nanny controls" for certain people)
2. Think they are way to expensive so they never consider them.
3. Attract to much attention (If thats possible and who cares anyway - I like the car)

The image of the Viper does have a supercar mystique (and deservedly) but the average corvette guy just isn't going to consider it for a whole host of reasons including those mentioned above.

 

[Mopar Boy]

I have said from the start and still do. Fiat should be good for Viper. They understand what a halo car is (Ferrari) and they understand performance. In saying that they should also understand what Viper is and my guess is they would keep it as it is.

My $0.10