Fiat, SRT Dealer Network Almost Full
Chrysler’s exclusive attitude about which dealers will be allowed to sell the SRT Viper doesn’t seem to have thinned the lineup for certification much. In fact, the roster is almost full.
In an effort to make sure every store selling the new brand’s halo car is up to par, Chrysler insists on a $25,000 fee to certify dealers to sell the new Viper. That fee includes tools to work on the car as well as training for technicians, managers, product specialists and other positions concerned with selling the cars.
In total, there will be 430 dealers allowed to sell the Viper, which is actually more than SRT CEO Ralph Gilles initially expected. There will only be about 2,000 Vipers built each year, meaning stores will have a limited allocation. More dealers could be authorized to carry the Viper, but not until production begins on the 2014 models.
SEE ALSO: Fiat Product Line to Expand Significantly in US by 2016
Fiat is expecting a host of new vehicles to help it compete better in the broader market including the larger 500L and 500X subcompact crossover. Much like the many hand raisers to sell the Viper, Fiat’s dealer network is growing stronger with 201 stores in the U.S., which actually exceeds the 200 store goal for the brand’s U.S. operation.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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