Dodge has been forced to cancel approximately 900 remaining orders for 2015 model year Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats. Not to worry, though, as verified orders will get first dibs at 2016 model year Hellcat vehicles, whose pricing, however, remains a mystery.
In all fairness, Dodge corporate isn’t to blame for the unmet orders. Certain dealers irresponsibly took orders from customers knowing they wouldn’t be fulfilled. FCA has already shared words with its dealer network, calling these practices “unscrupulous.”
To avoid a repeat of the problem, Dodge will give each dealer a “Hellcat allocation total” for the entire model year, based on prior sales performance and Hellcat “days on lot” data. Dealers won’t be allowed to take orders for a single Hellcat beyond their allotted total.
The other good news for potential consumers is that Dodge will “significantly” increase production of 2016 model year Charger and Challenger Hellcats. Dodge and SRT CEO Tim Kuniskis said they are “more than doubling our SRT Hellcat production for 2016.”
Kuniskis went on to say, “We could not have asked for a more enthusiastic response to the Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats — it was absolutely unprecedented, but then again, these 707-horsepower muscle cars are unprecedented.”
Don’t expect anything to change under the hood of the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 coupe and sedan, but 2016 model years will gain an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with GPS navigation as standard.
Orders for 2016 model year Hellcats will begin the second week of August, with production slated for the following month.
