Dodge Viper – Chrysler's Most Expensive Best Seller

What are the odds to see a carmaker's most expensive model the best seller of the respective company? Some people may say it's impossible in the context of the global economic crisis, but Chrysler recently announced that Dodge Viper, one of its most expensive, is recording steady sales, with stocks across the country almost “sold out”.

Even if the global economic crisis encourages buyers to look for fuel efficient cars, Dodge's Vipers sold pretty well in the last months, mostly thanks to its high-performance features but also thanks to the segment of customers it is addressed to, Edmunds reported today quoting Chrysler Vice Chairman Jim Press.

"Those customers are in a high-income group, and [a Viper] is a safe haven. Look at what's happened in their stock portfolios: The resale value of Vipers shows they're still in great demand. Smart investors figure out it's a safe place to put their money — and also have a lot of fun,” Presse commented on Viper's remarkable sales.

Although Chrysler's sales were reduced by 32 percent, the carmaker sold approximately 100 Vipers per month, including October which is said to be the month with the lowest sales in 2008. But even so, Chrysler expects increasing sales in the remaining months of 2008, especially for the newly-introduced Viper ACR (American Club Racer) that managed to “met expectations in production,” as Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said.

Cappa also commented on Vice Chairman's statements, explaining that in reality, Dodge Vipers are still on the market and stocks have not been “sold out,” as Press initially stated. “Dealers still have them, and they are available,” Cappa clarified the matter.