DETROIT — In a dramatic moment of automotive theater on Wednesday here, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli presented the keys of the 25,000th Dodge Viper — a 600-horsepower SRT10 — to NASCAR driver Kurt Busch.
"Reaching this milestone is quite an achievement considering the Dodge Viper SRT10 is a hand-built performance vehicle," said Nardelli. "This unique manufacturing facility has allowed us to produce a true American legend."
The pomp and ceremony seemed to confirm what was unspoken: that the Viper apparently still has a secure place in the Chrysler lineup. Auto analysts have told Inside Line that as the company continues to shrink and consolidate, the Viper's long-term viability has seemed under threat. Just a few days ago, the automaker shuttered its California design studio that was the birthplace of the Dodge Challenger and other key products.
Chrysler said it gave the landmark #25,000 Viper to Busch "in recognition of his racing accomplishments as the top Dodge driver in the 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."
What this means to you: A memorable moment in the life of the Viper. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
"Reaching this milestone is quite an achievement considering the Dodge Viper SRT10 is a hand-built performance vehicle," said Nardelli. "This unique manufacturing facility has allowed us to produce a true American legend."
The pomp and ceremony seemed to confirm what was unspoken: that the Viper apparently still has a secure place in the Chrysler lineup. Auto analysts have told Inside Line that as the company continues to shrink and consolidate, the Viper's long-term viability has seemed under threat. Just a few days ago, the automaker shuttered its California design studio that was the birthplace of the Dodge Challenger and other key products.
Chrysler said it gave the landmark #25,000 Viper to Busch "in recognition of his racing accomplishments as the top Dodge driver in the 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."
What this means to you: A memorable moment in the life of the Viper. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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