Temporarily Laid to Rest: The Demise of the Dodge Challenger

Dodge CEO unsure of plans for Challenger nameplate, currently not in use for this vehicle.

According to Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, the Challenger nameplate will no longer be used and there are currently no plans to revive it. Kuniskis made this announcement at the launch preview of the new Dodge Charger and Charger Daytona, which consist of both electric and combustion-powered muscle cars. In his statement to the media, Kuniskis stated, “We have ownership of the Challenger nameplate, as well as numerous other nameplates in our possession. However, at this time, we have no intentions of utilizing it for this particular vehicle.”

Although the title may have been put on hold, the principles behind the vehicle persist.

The recently released Charger and Charger Daytona (with the “Daytona” signifying its electric model) are on offer in a versatile range with both two and four doors, consolidating both types of vehicles under one unified moniker. Thus, despite the discontinuation of the Challenger brand, there is still a two-door automobile with formidable strength to fill its shoes.

Individuals with knowledge of the background of the Charger and Challenger brand may find joy in the reversion to the original name for the two-door vehicle, now known as the Charger once more. Since its debut in 1966 until its fifth cycle ceased production in 1987, the Charger continually embodied a two-door muscular coupe design. It was not until its resurgence in 2005 on the LX platform that it transformed into a four-door sedan. In contrast, the Challenger has always maintained its identity as a two-door coupe.

However, this uncertainty may not entirely disappear. This is due to the fact that the updated Charger actually combines four different models into one. The ICE and EV versions are distinguished by the Daytona label and some minor differences in appearance – a topic we will explore further below. Additionally, both the two-door and four-door options will now be referred to as Charger, potentially causing confusion for potential buyers.

As observed in the comments on the articles announcing it and on our various social media channels, there seems to be some confusion among Dodge enthusiasts regarding the two different body styles that share the same name. Some are surprised to learn that both the Challenger and Charger are classified under the Dodge brand, while others seem to have overlooked the fact that the Charger still runs on traditional internal combustion engines despite this being a widely known rumor in the automotive community for the past year.

The potential shift in Dodge’s naming system will perhaps hinge on the reception of these vehicles, a verdict that can only be determined with time. The production for the coupe versions of the Charger Daytona is set to commence this year, while the four-door and electric variants are scheduled for production in the first quarter of 2025.