Cars.com (Enlarge photo)

Chrysler’s recent struggles are no secret. The company is looking for ways to stop the bleeding and start moving upward during a particularly difficult time for carmakers. Hence, the automaker’s latest move: an attempt to sell its iconic Dodge Viper brand, according to the Detroit News.

The Viper has always been an exotic luxury sports car, but it’s never done big business for Chrysler. According to the Detroit News, the... // Cars.com

Chrysler LLC said it is weighing strategic options for its Dodge
Viper business, which could include a sale of the brand.
"We have been approached by third parties who are interested in
exploring future possibilities for Viper," Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's
chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "As the company evaluates
strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its
assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties. We will do so
keeping in mind the best interests of those who have shown
tremendous support for the vehicle -- including employees,
suppliers, dealers and a worldwide group of loyal Viper owners and
enthusiasts." The announcement comes as Chrysler struggles with declining sales
brought on by a weak economy and lower demand for its trucks and
sport... // KCCI.com

"We have been approached by third parties who are interested in
exploring future possibilities for Viper," Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's
chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "As the company evaluates
strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its
assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties. We will do so
keeping in mind the best interests of those who have shown
tremendous support for the vehicle -- including employees,
suppliers, dealers and a worldwide group of loyal Viper owners and
enthusiasts." The announcement comes as Chrysler struggles with declining sales
brought on by a weak economy and lower demand for its trucks and
sport utility vehicles. The Auburn Hills , Mich.-based automaker's sales have fallen 23 percent through July
this year. The Viper is... // KNBC.com

( Automotive News )—Chrysler LLC has put its hand-built Dodge Viper sports car business on the block.

The automaker announced today that it was undertaking a “strategic review” of the Viper business and stressed in a statement yesterday that it has not decided whether to sell the Viper.

Chrysler has retained Lazard Ltd., a New York financial advisory firm, to assist in the strategic review. Chrysler has set no timetable.

“We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper,” Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli said in a release.

Todd Goyer, a Chrysler spokesman, declined to identify any potential buyers.

Dodge introduced the Viper at the 1989 Detroit auto show and started building it in 1992. Chrysler has made about 25,000... // FinancialWeek

With the U.S. auto market increasingly focused on practicality and fuel-efficiency, Chrysler LLC announced Wednesday it was entertaining offers for its Dodge Viper sports car.

" We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper ," Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a memo to employees, Reuters reported.

"As [Chrysler] evaluates strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties," he added.

The Dodge Viper , one of Chryslers flashiest models, is a 600-horsepower sports car with a starting price of around $90,000. Its V10 engine gets a dismal 13 miles per gallon in the city at a time when cost-conscious consumers are trying to avoid high prices at the pumps.

" My bet... // Seeking Alpha

The Viper is a hand-built, high-end sports car with an 8.4-litre V-10 engine that can crank out 600 horsepower. First rolled out in dealerships in 1992, it is the automaker's most expensive vehicle, with the retail price in Canada starting at $96,100.

Analysts consider it a "halo" vehicle for the automaker, much like GM's Chevrolet Corvette or Porsche's 911. It is a flashy premium car that showcases Chrysler's technological ability and draws people into dealer showrooms.

But it is also a drain on resources at a difficult time for North American auto manufacturers. It is a low-volume vehicle that requires its own marketing, said Tom Libby, an analyst at J.D. Power they're a benefit. But these are... // The Province

Chrysler is putting its Dodge Viper sports car business up for sale in the latest move by a U.S. automaker to shed a niche product.

The company said Wednesday it had been approached by potential buyers for the Viper unit. Analysts said the division could fetch up to $100 million.

Potential buyers include East Asian and Indian automakers that have been looking to get instant entree into global markets by buying established brands. // Santa Rosa Press Democrat

The announcement comes as Chrysler is restructuring the Dodge brand with four new vehicles, including the Journey in Europe and the US, plus the Challenger, Durango Hybrid and Ram in North America only.

Though there is no guarantee that the Dodge Viper will be sold off, it seems a distinct possibility that the iconic muscle car could leave the brand that created it if the struggling US firm finds the financial benefits too good to refuse. // Autocar

MediaPost Publications (Enlarge photo)

Chrysler wasn't specific about its plans. A spokesperson said the company has made no decisions. "It's important to note that this is a business decision to initiate a strategic review to explore options," he says. "We've been approached by third parties, and we've agreed to listen ... there can be no assurance that any transaction will take place as a result of this process."

In a release, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli says the company would include operational and financial support in any deal.

The Viper is assembled by hand in the company's Conner Avenue plant in Detroit. Chrysler, which says it wants to focus on Dodge Journey, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Durango Hybrid and Dodge Ram, has retained Lazard as its financial advisor in connection with the Viper review.

Wes Brown,... // MediaPost Publications

Chrysler LLC , selling assets to raise cash as U.S. sales slide, said Wednesday that it is considering the sale of its Dodge Viper sports-car business.

"We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities" for the 600-horsepower, 10-cylinder car, Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a statement.

The Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company hired Lazard Ltd. as financial adviser to review options for the business.

Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer declined to name the parties. He said the review is part of a move toward focusing on Dodge's core nameplates.

"Obviously, we want to ensure a strong future for the Viper," Goyer said. "But as we focus on the core business, we'll listen to people who have expressed interest."

He said the strategic review was for... // Chicago Tribune

Chrysler, like General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., is working to curtail losses including the sale of assets, trimming of its work force and eliminating some of its vehicles.

Analysts disagreed on how much the automaker could fetch for the Viper, a vehicle that helped cement Chrysler's engineering resurgence in the early 1990s. It was introduced as a concept car at the Detroit auto show in 1989. Rumors have been circulating for months that Chrysler might kill the vehicle, now in its fourth generation.

"Viper is an integral part of this company's heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great... // DetNews.com

Houston Chronicle (Enlarge photo)

Chrysler is putting its Viper sports car unit up for sale.

The No. 3 U.S.-based car company said Wednesday that it had been approached by potential buyers for the Viper unit, which Chrysler wants to sell so it can focus on a smaller number of core products. Analysts said the division could fetch up to $100 million.

The Dodge Viper, introduced in 1992, is a "halo" car. The intention is to generate buzz, not big sales.

Vipers have a starting... // Houston Chronicle

Chrysler, like General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., is working to curtail losses including the sale of assets, trimming of its work force and eliminating some of its vehicles.

Analysts disagreed on how much the automaker could fetch for the Viper, a vehicle that helped cement Chrysler's engineering resurgence in the early 1990s. It was introduced as a concept car at the Detroit auto show in 1989. Rumors have been circulating for months that Chrysler might kill the vehicle, now in its fourth generation.

"Viper is an integral part of this company's heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great... // DetNews.com

The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker is mulling strategic options for the Viper, and has been approached by third parties "interested in exploring future possibilities with Viper," Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a statement.

Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer declined to name the parties. He said the review is part of a move toward focusing on Dodge's core nameplates.

"Obviously, we want to ensure a strong future for the Viper, but as we focus on the core business we'll listen to people who have expressed interest," Goyer said in an interview.

He said the strategic review was for Viper alone, and added the company was simply reviewing options and no transaction might occur at all.

The review comes as Chrysler and other automakers grapple with a broader industry downturn... // WIBW

NEW YORK (AP) -- -- Chrysler LLC said Wednesday it is weighing options for its iconic Dodge Viper sports car, which could include a sale of the nameplate.

The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker is mulling strategic options for the Viper, and has been approached by third parties "interested in exploring future possibilities with Viper," Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a statement.

Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer declined to name the parties. He said the review is part of a move toward focusing on Dodge's core nameplates.

"Obviously, we want to ensure a strong future for the Viper, but as we focus on the core business we'll listen to people who have expressed interest," Goyer said in an interview.

He said the strategic review was for Viper alone, and added the company was... // CNNMoney.com

Chrysler said the decision on Viper is "a stand-alone strategic review, unique to Viper" and it has not set a definitive timetable for completion of the review.
The company, which has released limited financial data since Cerberus bought it from Daimler AG about a year ago, ended June with $11.7 bn cash and had earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $1.1 bn in the first half of the year. // Economic Times

Chrysler LLC said Wednesday it is weighing options for its iconic Dodge Viper sports car, which could include a sale of the nameplate.

The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker is mulling strategic options for the Viper, and has been approached by third parties "interested in exploring future possibilities with Viper," Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Nardelli said in a statement.

Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer declined to name the parties. He said the review is part of a move toward focusing on Dodge's core nameplates.

"Obviously, we want to ensure a strong future for the Viper, but as we focus on the core business we'll listen to people who have expressed interest," Goyer said in an interview.

He said the strategic review was for Viper alone, and added the company was simply reviewing... // Kentucky.com