According to comments from Chrysler's CEO, several companies have expressed interest in taking up the production of the nasty snake in the wake of Chrysler's comments that it would be discontinued soon due to slumping sales.
Over the past two years, the skyrocketing gas prices and
slumping economic market have slowed the sales of performance cars, and
considering the low sales volume of the Viper even a few years ago, the
announcement that the Viper may not return was not a huge surprise although it
was a huge disappointment to Dodge enthusiasts.
Chrysler has stated that they may not necessarily kill off the Viper though, as there are allegedly several groups interested in the purchase of the Viper name. We do not know from these comments if these groups are aftermarket tuner, an investment group, or even other manufacturers, but there is no sign as to whether it would still wear the Dodge nameplate, or even the Viper name. As of August 2008, Chrysler had only stated that they were willing to entertain offers, but no other concrete information has been given. Hopefully the upcoming show season will unlock some of the mysteries of the future of the fabled Dodge Viper.