Dodge s Next Big Move : The Dodge CEO even suggested a sub-$30,000 halo vehicle was being considered.He added that the model may be a “weekend car” targeted at budget-conscious consumers.Although the vehicle sounds like a ridiculous pipedream, the exec also hinted that they’ll prioritize affordability.
With the demise of the Chevrolet Camaro and the evolution of the Dodge Challenger into the expensive Charger Daytona, affordable sports cars are a rare breed. However, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Ford Mustang, Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 all start in the low $30,000s.
And they may be accompanied by another entry, as Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said recently that there’s a “market for an entry-level halo and a top-of-the-line halo.” In its interview with The Drive, the executive hinted at how mainstream some vehicles have gotten, like the Polaris Slingshot and RZR.
McAlear then discussed pricing and said a “sub-$30,000” sticker might attract those with a “weekend car” attitude. He imagined something quite simple, with no heated seats and no myriad of driver assistance safety systems. Basically, something inexpensive and enjoyable.
The executive said the company will “get original like the Viper” and go to market with a distinctive product that is uniquely Dodge. He then alluded to it not being a Corvette, Camaro or Mustang competitor since it would take on a “different kind of performance.” That’s pretty vague so it’s hardly chiseled in stone, but it seems Dodge is not ready to absolve themselves of sportiness. All in all, a sports car for under $30,000 feels like a fantasy with inflation, regulations, and a bubbling trade war.
With that said, McAlear appears to have come to the conclusion that Stellantis’ stratospherically high sticker prices aren’t doing it any favors. Specifically, he added “Having a value play just to get people on the showroom floor is important” and “I think we have to do a better job making our vehicles affordable for the masses.”