Last Call Dodge Models Are Heating Up the Muscle Car Market
Dodge announced in 2022 that it would be exiting the gas-powered muscle car business as it readies for electrification. The automaker launched a “Last Call” series, offering buyers the opportunity to purchase very special editions of the outgoing Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. As it turns out, getting out of business is also good for business. Buyers have been snapping up the “Last Call” Charger and Challenger models since the brand first announced 2023 would be the final model year for both. How is the success of the outgoing models being measured? Automotive News explained, “The Charger has had sales gains for the past four quarters, while the Challenger just posted its third consecutive positive quarter.” The numbers are doing the talking.
Last Call Editions
Like we mentioned prior, Dodge announced the launch of its “Last Call” Editions in 2022, cementing the fact that its muscle cars would exit the playing field at the end of 2023. Each Last Call Edition is built in limited numbers, but buyers have the following models to choose from:
Dodge Charger and Challenger R/T Scat Pack Swinger
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
The Wait is Over
Unlike special edition models of the past, this time around buyers can’t just shop directly from Dodge. Instead, the automaker allocated each model to designated dealers in small quantities. Dodge relies on its Horsepower Tracker Tool on its Dodge Garage site to track which designated dealership gets which car. Buyers are then asked to visit a dealership to place their orders. When speaking to Automotive News, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis acknowledged that the automaker created a sense of urgency by bringing these models to an end.
“All those people are thinking I’m going to get a muscle car someday–someday I’m going to get it. We just told them when ‘someday’ was because we said this is it,” added Kuniskis.
The Sticker Price is the Sweet Spot
While demand may be looked at for pushing prices up, Kuniskis was clear that 60 percent of Last Call models already sold have sold at their sticker price. Dodge worked to make sure muscle car dreamers wouldn’t be priced out by collectors with funds to spare. Dodge employed a unique strategy–all “Last Call” models ordered at sticker price automatically go to the front of the line. Buyers who paid over sticker price to join the line may end up without one–”If you paid over sticker price, you’re going to get pushed to the end of the line, and we may not build that car,” said Kuniskis.
What’s Next? eMuscle
While electric vehicles have gained enthusiasts’ attention, very few have ventured into brash and rugged territory like Dodge is accustomed to. The Charger Daytona SRT Concept has one exceptional feature in the works–a “real” exhaust system. Why is this unique? Well, as it turns out, electric vehicles don’t need an exhaust, but Dodge is unwilling to do away with the boisterous exhaust systems it’s known for. Dodge’s exhaust system on the Charger Daytona SRT Concept can be tuned and even amplify the very little sound the electric motors make,with the automaker claiming the whine can be as loud as a Hellcat.
In the meantime, explore the latest that the Dodge Performance lineup has to offer here at University Dodge. Check out our Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger inventory and schedule your test drive today. Be sure to follow University Dodge on social media for the latest Dodge news and offers.
Photo Source/Copyright: Stellantis