Dodge seeking your input...

[Kowalski Supersoul]

Distinguished members of DodgeCharger.com,

My name is Scott Vandekerckhove.  I am a new member here at this forum and I am on a mission.  A mission for all of you, to be exact.

Let me cut right to the chase, I work for Chrysler on the Auto Show/Specialty Event Circuit all across the country.  I work under the title of "Product Specialist."  When I am not on the Auto Show floor, I am actively involved in grass roots marketing activities, most often in Dodge.  In fact, it is likely that I have met several of the members here in person at some time or another.

The highlight of my work, thus far, was a nationwide tour showcasing the Dodge Challenger when it was launched back in 2008.  Our exploits were chronicled on RedLetterDodge.com, Dodge's official blog (I am sure you are aware of).  To prove I am who I say I am, please view the following links as proof...

Challenger Trip publicized on Insideline.com...
http://www.insideline.com/dodge/challenger/2008/dodge-challenger-revs-up-for-us-road-trips.html

Dodge's Official Flickr page with photos from the tour...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgechallenger1/sets/72157606825358516/

Sirius Radio Blog interview that featured me with the Challenger while in NYC...
http://siriusbuzz.com/dodge-challenger-a-powerful-car-with-bells-and-whistles.php

Blog post from National Speed in Wilmington, NC...
http://www.nationalspeedinc.com/blog/2008/08/28/when-the-dodge-challenger-came-to-town/

With the Challenger currently in full swing, and an all new Charger fast on the horizon, things are really starting to heat up.

But without the loyal fan base of Mopar enthusiasts throughout the world, where would we be?

That said, I am trying to find out what exactly Mopar clubs want from Dodge?  In particular, Charger and Challenger fans everywhere.

It could be any number of things:
-Is it a centralized Official website dedicated exclusively to the clubs?
-Is it a special event held exclusively for the clubs?
-Would you want more opportunities to interact with Dodge engineers and marketing reps?  Focus groups?
-Or is it a vehicle giveaway that you desire?

Bottom line:  What can be done to make a true impact on the clubs?  Something specific and unique that you would all enjoy!

Also, what is the best way for us to communicate with all of you in mass?  What is the quickest, most direct way of getting in contact with EVERYONE?!!!

This is your opportunity to voice your ideas.  We want to hear what's on your mind.  Be inventive.  Be honest.  Be yourselves.

Feel free to email me directly at SRV@EVENTSOLUTIONS.NET

Thanks for listening.  I truly look forward to hearing all you have to share.  And, by all means, spread this around so that we get as much input as possible.


Sincerely,
Scott Vandekerckhove
srv@eventsolutions.net

[resq302]

Hmmm.... a redesigned Chager   I would knock off 2 doors and make it look more like the 69 design pretty much what Ford did with the mustang and Dodge did with the Challenger. 

But again, that is only my 

[451-74Charger]

Hmmm.... a redesigned Chager  I would knock off 2 doors and make it look more like the 69 design pretty much what Ford did with the mustang and Dodge did with the Challenger.  

But again, that is only my  

Should have made it a poll, as 98% of enthusiasts would agree about knocking off 2 doors.
On the other aspect, throw gobs of hard cash at Troy for all the hard work he has put into this site, pay for his house, servers etc.

Seriously, how about Club discounts, local car show participation. Send out a "tweaked" Chally to the local circuit and promote interest from the base fans.
I would be happy to drive around our city in a promo car all day for a modest fee.

[4forty]

Design a new Charger that's not a butt-ugly insult to the Charger name & heritage.... please.

[SFRT]

wholesale crate hemis for club members.

[skip68]

I'm all for change but, here is the way I and several others feel. I don't think I want anything from Dodge anymore.    To try and ride the coat tails from the 68 to 70 Chargers when marketing the new one is crazy.   One has nothing to do with the other, other than the name.   Can you honestly or "Dodge" not see this ?   The Challenger was dead on as it should be.  Dodge would have had the best of both worlds if the Charger was done right.  A new generation of Charger lovers as well as the old Mopar guys.  But, that's not going to happen...  The Dodge Charger we all know and love is gone with no hopes for any new styles to fall in love with.  This has been a bad subject for several years now and all over the web with other sites.  We all know that nothing will change and that's the way it is.  Dodge has shown us that they have NO interest in what the Charger name means to us the loyal fans.   No offense, but the way I see it is like this.   I already have what I need from Dodge, my 1968 Charger.  

[skip68]

Oh, welcome to the site.      I'm sorry to come off blunt but I have a passion for these cars and what Dodge used to be.   Chuck.........

[Kowalski Supersoul]

No worries on being blunt.  That is what I expect and appreciate. 

This is great content.  That's right, I said GREAT!  Whether you think Dodge wants to hear it or not, post it.  Nothing gets brushed under the rug by me. 

[ITSA426]

Dodge should have kept the smarter dealers.  My wife wants to dump her 08 Charger and go GM - just because the dealer is an idiot.  We have ten dodges, three of them newer vehicles, and a GM in the future now.  Test driving away, but the dealer says he doesn't include my sort of business in his new business model.

[Mr.Woolery]

...Hire me to be in charge of external design for your cars.  The new Charger is just terrible, and NEEDS to be fixed.  It should be a 2 door, 4 passenger car not a 4-door  new millenium Cordoba badged as a Charger.

...Stop riding the vinyl coattails of yesteryear.  Stickers on a Charger or truck(!) doesn't make it a SuperBee or a Daytona or whatever...it's just a travesty of marketing that pisses people off who have ANY experience or knowledge of the originals (and I say this as 'only' a 40 year old who has limited experience or knowledge of them).   It really bugs me to see these retro editions without the car underneath to back it up or live up to the moniker of the original predecessor(s).

[Skyview69]

Hmmm.... a redesigned Chager   I would knock off 2 doors and make it look more like the 69 design pretty much what Ford did with the mustang and Dodge did with the Challenger. 

But again, that is only my 

I would agree 100% 

A car giveaway for members of dodgecharger.com would be a bonus as well   

[skip68]

That said, I am trying to find out what exactly Mopar clubs want from Dodge?  In particular, Charger and Challenger fans everywhere.

These two cars are in the wrong class.   One is a muscle car and the other is a family car.   Right there is part of the problem.  

Can you imagine Ford or Chevy doing something like this with the Camaro or Mustang ?  Turn it into a 4 door family car but still call it a Camaro or Mustang.    They would'nt dare.  
Don't change a good soup to the point that it no longer has the same flavor.  Your old customers will go get soup from the other guys.  

I'm sorry, but I can't run your company.  These are things that have added "in my opinion" to the down slide of Dodge.  Now, several years later you have someone asking "what's wrong with the soup"?  How can we make it better ? ? ?   Fire the cook is my 2cents. ! ! !  But, like I said, I can't run your company.   I'm just a dumb guy that fell in love with something that was made by a once great company.   Again, this is just my  

[SG1022]

How about an official dodge website that dodge employees ACTUALLY view.  One where they can see the public opinion , with polls and surveys on vehicle design etc etc.

I am sure I am not the first to say that alot of people aren't happy with the vehicles dodge has put their vintage stickers on.

[MoparManJim]

Well you ask and you shall recive an answer at least from me that is. You ask what we would like from you all? well I can't speak for the others here  but I can only speak for myself but others are more then welcome to agree with me though .  

Redesign that thing you all call a charger that doesn't look nothing like a dang charger at all man. Find someone on here that has a "real" charger and have them help you out if you all don't know what a charger really looks like   because with that 2006 thing it sure looks like you guys have no clue to what a charger really looks like. I'm sure there are alot of others here that would help you all out with getting the design right for once and the car looks more to it's roots then a enforcer with a Charger name badge on it.  

With the charger name badge on it, Must say like another member said, it was a insult to us dodge lovers, and not to mention that new car was ugly also and looked more like a dang turtle then anything. To me it look like all your company was out for was green backs. Look at Ford they got there ideas in order and are making some very well looking retros of the old cars that alot of folks seem to like alot of where as dodge place is now just getting the sent of .

[bordin34]

The thing I don't like with Chrysler in general is the cheap plastic interiors, nearly every other manufacturer including hyundai have nicer and less cheap looking interiors. Also the crazy markup that some dealers have on the new Challenger is not helping.
What I would like to see from Dodge is an interactive car show online, where you put up pictures of your car and have an online poll run for a number of days with different categories for a-bodies, b-bodies, c-bodies, e-bodies, trucks, pre '62, FWD, modern stuff, etc. Whoever gets the most votes in their category wins some prize then the winners all compete against each other for some prize.

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

You need to get the car to the people for them.  I drive all over the place with my Challenger (when it is nice).  I am doing the Hot Rod Power Tour, I plan on doing Rt.66 eventually.  And I blog it all.  And people go crazy usually.  RecreateVanishing Point, do Route 66, do something that people can connect with. 

Remember the traveling Rapid Transit System, or the Scat Pack!  I was too young to know these programs personally, but I've heard of them and read about them.  The last Dodge traveling show was the "Grab Life" Tour.  It was OK, a test drive of a few vehicles around a little track.  Most people won't remember it in a year or two.  You need to do something memorable.









www.ryanbrutt.com
www.carsinbarns.blogspot.com
www.hotrodpowertour2008.blogspot.com

Ryan Brutt

[b5blue]

  This is going to be good!    

[Hemidoug]

First let me say WELCOME to the site. I think you will not find a more fervent group of Dodge Charger enthusiasts anywhere else on the web....

Second, although I can only speak for myself, I can tell you that I have been a life long Mopar fan....of the 7 vehicles I own all are Mopars, the last one being my wife's 08 Avenger which she loves to death. My current car is a 05 SRT4, which is the single best performance Mopar that I have ever owned. That being said, Chrysler lost my loyalty a short time ago for several reasons, not the least is the quality control issues with Mopar Performance which cost me an engine to the tune of 8K. When I went to MP for SOMETHING (anything) in the form of replacement parts for the ones that cost me an engine they told me tough tatas....sooooo I'll be looking elsewhere for my next vehicle.

As far as advice on your product line, I am far from a marketing guru, but Chrysler put way too many eggs in the SUV/Truck market a long time ago...they forgot how to build cars! Now, I'm sure Benz had a lot to do with that, BUT I think that you guys need to focus on AFFORDABLE performance that can be marketed as performance AND economical....like the SRT4.

Now, since you are still making the PT Cruiser, I would suggest marketing a panel van for small business...I can't believe you guys missed the boat on that one. There are many different configurations that can be done with that platform and marketed successfully...

The best advise to you is to start making affordable CARS again....and worry about the big hitters (performance V8s like the Challenger) later......those will get people into the showroom, but you got nothing for them to leave in.

Just my .02 from a life long mopar in my blood kinda guy.......

[Charger1970]

Hi Scott,
I have looked at RedLetterDodge.com lots of times. It sucks. I would much rather look at AllPar.com.

The "all new" Charger (that I learned about on AllPar) seems like it's going to be a warmed-over current Charger that is still mis-named. The modern Charger obviously has no connection to classic Chargers. Please stop pretending they do.

I believe Dodge wants to sell cars. That's the only reason Dodge would show interest trying to identify with clubs. So how about some support? Maybe some club discounts for parts? Prompt the local dealers to hold car shows like Landmark Dodge in Atlanta does.

What would make me want to buy a new Dodge?  I want to see some REAL special cars. Not these fake 'numbered' instant classics. (And I'm a Ram Daytona owner!) Dodge had their balls hanging out when the '69 Charger Daytona was built. Why can't something like that happen now? Could you imagine the stir it would cause if Dodge built a REAL super-car? Even if they only built 500 of them! I could never afford to buy one of these actual instant classics but I'd sure be proud to drive a vehicle made by the company who's balls were that BIG.

And for the love of God, PLEASE OFFER A CHALLENGER INTERIOR THAT ISN'T GRAY! And why can't I get a white Challenger SRT? That's just stupid. Dodge should be offering the Challenger in LOTS more colors.

Doug

[WHITE AND RED 69]

start by pricing and get the cars to be more affordable. 38 grand for a challenger r/t. come on, it should be more around 29 grand. I understand that it might be the dealers marking them up but you can get a camaro with 425 hp for 30,000, and these dealers are still asking in the mid thirties for the 360hp r/t. add some more classic colors that make them stand out rather than the same old bland colors offered on every other cars. sublime green, b5 blue, bright ass orange, royal blue and other colors that will attract attention but dont cost an arm and a leg to get.

Make things on cars that look like they should be functional be functional. enough with fake carbon fiber and hood scoops that do nothing, put in the extra effort and make things work, car people will appreciate it more and make the company look like it cares about the products it puts out. and no more cheap plastic in the interiors!

I agree with everyone else with making the charger 2 door. The charger is not a bad car but putting the name charger on a 4 door doesnt make it a charger. keep what is now the 4 door charger and just change the name and build a new 2 door charger.

As for Mopar meets take the new cars to shows and let people try them out at autocross events or something like that. It would be nice to see the cars perform in person and get a chance to get behind the wheel.

More mopar shows in northern of california.

[Daytona R/T SE]

How about you close down the truck plant in Mexico, and re-open the one in

St. Louis?


Rename that ugly "Charger" thing "Diplomat" like it should have been all along.

Build a Challenger convertible.

Cut the prices on the Challengers significantly.

Slash the prices on the Mopar Performance crate engines.

$15+thousand dollars for a new 426 Hemi is ridiculous.

[charger Downunder]

Scott A couple of things you now have to look at the world market to survive in other words design all cars so they can be easily configured for right hand drive most of the expense is in the dash area, design it so the centre stays the same and you can swap around the outer sides, mirror image to an effect.If that is to hard just get the Chrysler 300 right hand dash  and stick those in the export cars to save money.
Now if you walk down any Australian street you will see plenty of four door family cars V8 and plenty of them Fords and Holdens.We love high horsepower V8, bring us the charger even with four doors because it will sell as long as it comes here with the big engine. I am sick of hearing in Australia if the charger was here it would take away the Chrysler 300 sales. What a load of rubbish i would never drive a 300 but i would drive the charger.
For other right hand drive countries where the Charger name doesn't have heritage you can always re badge them in those countries call them something else.
Our arms would be open for the Challenger as well.
Welcome Scott your going to have some fun and its good PR for you and Dodge.

[BigBlackDodge]

Like Dodge is going to start listening to us now...............


Oh, and if they do.................GET RID OF THE FRIGGIN CROSSHAIR GRILL ON EVERYTHING! I know it's brand recognition thing, but damn you guys are really limiting yourselves with new designs!

Stop whoring out the classic names.............I'm still surprised a 'GTX' or 'Cuda' badge hasn't made it's onto a minivan by now. If an old name is brought back it better live up to it's name in design and performance...........or don't screw with it at all.

Make it easier for the after maket guys to repop the classic stuff so we can keep the oldies looking good, because after all we are the onltyones who care about mopar's heritage it seems. Ever wonder why there are so many GM and Ford classics at shows? New parts available goes along way! Mopar dropped the ball on this decades ago...........think of the lost cash that could have been made.

Get ride of the high pressure, insane mark up dealers. I see few new Chally's on the road in my down despite having 2 dealers in town. They're not on road but rather they're sitting in the stealships lot.............complete with insane 'adjusted market value' add on.





BBD

[Akron_Charger]

yeah I agree with everyone else! First make the cars more affordable to everyone-like they used to be! Nobody in todays world can really afford a new car, or honestly why buy a new car when I can get last years low milage car for a much better price. Distinguish yourselves from the other manufactures-not with the annoying crosshaired grill leave that on the trucks! Or at least find a way to keep the values up on them. Why cant we (American manufactures) have the lifetime warranties, or at least 10 year 100,000 miles or whatever. Most of the time the warranty expires before its payed off, thats not right.

As for the Charger I believe that the new car accurately captures what the old cars were-a family sedan with performance and an attitude. However bring back more of the classic look (and no it doesnt have to be a 69 even though that is my favorite model!) if there has to be a 4 door, do a Coronet version and a 2 door Charger version and make it affordable. I guarantee you a well done 2 door Charger with a classic look and lines would be the hottest selling car on the market, heck maybe even do a Dukes of Hazzard package-that will get sales

[stripedelete]

Scott, are you an actual Chrysler employee, or does your organization that you work for, work with/for, Chrysler??