The Chrysler Group announced this morning that when the next generation Dodge Viper undergoes production for the 2013 model year, the American supercar will be built right where it belongs - in the Motor City.
Chrysler’s Conner Avenue plant in Detroit has been the build location of the majority of Dodge Viper units since production at that plant began in 1995 (Vipers built prior ro 1995 were built at the New Mack Assembly Plant) but when production came to an end in July 2010, the Conner Ave plant went dormant for the first time in 15 years. However, amidst speculation that the new 2013 Dodge Viper, Chrysler has announced that the next generation of one of the most powerful cars in American history will be built at the Detroit Conner Ave plant. During the previous production run, Conner Ave employees built around 12 Vipers a day for a grand total of 22,070 supercars built between 1995 and 2010.
“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer - SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”
The reopening of the Conner Avenue plant in Detroit for the production of the 2013 Dodge Viper will bring back roughly 150 hourly and salary jobs. These 150 positions were filled by first offering the openings to Chrysler employees who were transferred out of Conner Ave when the Viper production ended while the rest of the “new” jobs will be filled by current employees willing to transfer from other plants. These 150 employees will begin the orientation process this fall with the start of production planned for late 2012. Once the Viper plant reopens, the Chrysler Group will be the only automaker will two full production facilities operating within Detroit city limits.
There are a few interesting points in today’s announcement on the 2013 Viper - beginning with the name. While the Viper has previously been known as the Dodge Viper, picking up the SRT tag when the moniker was introduced in 2003. Last year, the Chrysler Group introduced the new multi-brand SRT group and it looks as though the Viper will be the first official vehicle from the new SRT brand, with today’s release repeatedly referring to the 2013 SRT Viper rather than the 2013 Dodge Viper. Also, even though SRT boss Ralph Gilles stated at the 2010 LA Auto Show that the 2013 Viper would hit the streets in the spring of 2012; with production slated for the end of 2012 we can guess that the only spring 2012 introduction of the Viper will be at the New York Auto Show. This means that those clamoring for a new Viper will have to wait until the winter of 2012 or the spring of 2013.
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