"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs)
03/25/2014 at 06:51 • Filed to: SRT, Viper, Racing, Le Mans, LeMans, TUSC, 2014
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"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs)
03/25/2014 at 06:51 • Filed to: SRT, Viper, Racing, Le Mans, LeMans, TUSC, 2014 | 0
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Ralph Gilles, SRT CEO, just confirmed that Viper Racing will not ship 2 GTE cars to France to take on the works teams of Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Corvette. The ACO already took the two cars from the entry list and is now looking fill the spots with teams from the reserve list.
I am pretty sure the reason for the withdrawal are disappointing sales figures of the Fiat-Chrysler sportscar. Racing Le Mans is very costly, and with international sales being non-existent, it does not make any sense for SRT to let the Vipers run at the Circuit de la Sarthe. At least the North American racing program won't be affected as they will continue racing in TUSC.
t_s
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 07:22 |
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I don't think this is a particularly good decision. Yes sales are crap and outside the US they're probably in single figures, but Le Mans is Le Mans. While participation in TUSC is great, it's not Le Mans. Taking a Viper there and doing a good job could have potentially been a massive boost.
daender
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 07:47 |
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...I think it's supposed to be the other way around. Win at Le Mans means more sales, not more sales mean Le Mans wins.
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Fred (FreddsterExprs)
> daender
03/25/2014 at 07:49 |
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I think that a Le Mans win would boost sales considerably. But you a) need to win it first which will not be easy against the Ferrari Armada and the fast 991 Porsche and b) you need to make that investment up front. And as far as I know, SRTs financial situation isn't that great, just like the whole Chrysler Motorsports arm.
Somethingwittyer likes noisy
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 08:29 |
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Perfect news to grace my first day back to school. Fuck everything.
willkinton247
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 08:38 |
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Telumektar
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 08:41 |
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Any idea of why is that the Viper isn't selling worldwide?
I think it may have something to do with how not-very-well represented the brand is outside the US. Here in Uruguay there's one single Dodge/Chrysler/Ram/Jeep rep. and, for what they are, the cars are selling pretty well, specially Journeys, Durangos and Cherokees and they are not cheap considering their competitors' options.
But, there's no mention of SRT, there's not much chance of getting an SRT Challenger or anything like that, much less a Viper.
I wonder if it's the same situation everywhere else outside the USA.
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Fred (FreddsterExprs)
> Telumektar
03/25/2014 at 08:51 |
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Several reasons. Inconsistent brand representation in Europe: Dodge/Chrysler was non existent for some years, then came back with DaimlerChrysler, disappeared again, and now there are some Fiat dealers selling Grand Voyagers. That can't work. Also the dealership network is thin.
The other reason: American cars always get more expensive over here and have a Pimp image. This is especially true for the Corvette, although its sales are getting stronger and it is being slowly seen as a true 911 competitor for the price of a Cayman.
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Telumektar
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 09:25 |
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I guessed so. If on top of that FIAT is rebadging many of Chrysler's products as Lancias (ugh, bad for both makes)
Taylor Hedgie
> Fred (FreddsterExprs)
03/25/2014 at 14:21 |
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DO THEY ACCEPT DOGECOIN AND/OR MONOPOLY MONEY.