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Why GM Can’t Build A Direct Rival To The Dodge Charger

Stellantis recently unveiled the all-new 2024 Dodge Charger, debuting a next-generation muscle car offering both all-electric and ICE-based powertrains, as well as two- and four-door body styles. With so much variety on tap, the 2024 Dodge Charger is unique in the muscle car world. In fact, at this point, it’s nearly impossible for GM to build a new Chevy Camaro to serve as a direct rival to the new Charger.

The all-new 2024 Dodge Charger.

First things first – for Dodge, the new Charger is every bit a worthwhile investment. Much of the brand’s identity has been wrapped up in the Charger and Challenger nameplates since their revival in the mid-2000s, and the 2024 Charger is essentially a continuation of that muscle car heritage, while still offering two-door and four-door body styles, plus either an EV or ICE powertrain.

What’s more, Stellantis plans to build no less than eight models on the STLA Large platform (including the new Charger) across its brand portfolio through the 2026 model year, so the platform will have multiple revenue streams.

GM, however, has no such platform. Unlike Stellantis, BMW, Hyundai, and others, The General has thus far rejected the idea of developing a platform that can cradle both EV and ICE powertrains, and if GM suddenly decided it did want to build such a platform from scratch to underpin the new Camaro and rival the new Charger, it would require a massive investment.

Not exactly a smart move if this theoretical new platform would only serve to underpin the Camaro. But it’s also unlikely we would see a new ICE or EV Impala / Caprice that would share the new underpinnings, and it wouldn’t make sense for Cadillac either, as although Chevy and Cadillac previously shared the Alpha platform (Camaro on the Chevy side, CT# sedans on the Caddy side), Cadillac is going pure EV by 2030.

Instead, the future of the Camaro nameplate is most likely tied to GM’s BEV Prime / Ultium platform. As such, there would be no possibility for a gasoline-powered variant, which means this hypothetical, Ultium-based, two-door Camaro EV would only compete with the two-door, all-electric Charger Daytona.

Of course, the Chevy brand isn’t synonymous with muscle cars in the same way that Dodge is in the modern era. As such, Chevy can (sadly) carry on without a new Camaro and still maintain an identity in its trucks, SUVs, and the Corvette.

Simply put, the incentive for GM to build a direct rival to the new 2024 Dodge Charger, offering both ICE and EV powertrains, just isn’t there.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Chrysler Corp has had a lot of foreign overlords in the last couple of decades, and yet, when I see this new Charger I see an underlying brilliance in their product strategy. To be so clear-eyed with this product after all the turmoil is just awesome, imho. And you have gm going “all-in” on EV while the general public yawns and looks the other way.

    For me, the only silly thing in the whole presentation is the fake exhaust sound. Let the EV be an EV, let the Hurricane be a hurricane.

    It is Hurricane for me, baby.

    Reply
    1. It’s almost like the current Chrysler owners are looking back at what Iacocca did in the 1980’s. Multiple variants on the same platform to satisfy the majority of it’s customer base. Iacocca would be so proud that they are duplicating what he did to survive. Wake up GM!

      Reply
  2. At least gm is all American … idk who owns Chrysler at this point .. as for the charger, it won’t need a gm rival lol let’s just watch and see

    Reply
    1. GM builds cars for the American market in China and you’re concerned about Dodge’s ownership?

      Reply
      1. Who retains profits is important. Not recognizing that is pretty small brain thinking.

        Reply
        1. Are you a GM shareholder to care about the Corporate profits? Otherwise your posting applies to you.
          Keeping essential manufacturing in the country is what benefits the people not the profits made by large Corporations elsewhere.

          Reply
    2. I’ve owned a lot of GM cars over the last 40 years. Most made in USA, some in Canada, one from Mexico. All have been good reliable cars. My wife and I recently looking for a small suv for her, preferably made in USA. Most of GMs offerings are made in South Korea some in Mexico and one from china. None made in USA. Very disappointing. Small SUVs made in USA: Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru crosstrek with 2.5 engine, Mazda cx-50, ford escape. So i don’t really see GMs committing to US based manufacturing and they have really lost their heritage as a US company. Their all in on BEVs was a big strategic mistake.

      Reply
      1. I am disappointed that GM doesn’t build small vehicles in the US, but they cannot afford to. GM pays the UAW members too much; so they only build large vehicles here.

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        1. maybe if Mary Barra didnt make 29.9 million a year, they could afford to build their cars here..im a life long GM owner, but without a decent sedan or coupe, just more and more crappy suvs with 4 cylinder engines or unproven EVs, ill look else for my next vehicle…no wonder GM market share has feel to almost nothing…Barra needs to go…not everyone wants a pickup or a me too, suv..

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  3. It won’t matter much long-term. I’m reading that the new Charger could be a slower seller than Stellantis thinks because of its size. They went way overboard and buyers in that segment don’t want to lug around a house-sized vehicle. Time will tell.

    Reply
    1. New Charger is 3 inches longer than the 1967 version, at 206.6 inches for the ’25. ’67 was 203 inches long. Iconic 1969 Charger was 208 inches long. What are you on about?

      Reply
      1. I think he’s on about the 1960’s were 55+ years ago, customer preferences may have changed…

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      2. Weight?

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  4. The V8 was the selling point the car was just the package.

    They needed this car 12 years ago with a v8.

    GM had. 6 cylinder rival few bought.

    The EV version is going to be too much and not appeal to true hot rodders.

    Reply
    1. Well said.

      Reply
  5. GM has been full of missed opportunities and I can’t believe they didn’ts. They squander and pi$$ away ever advantage for things like 3 cylinder SUVs that no one wants. Then they spend their fun money on stupid crap like EV Hummers that again, no one wants.

    It’s not just Mary. The whole suite of management needs to get the boot.

    Reply
    1. GM has significantly more than 50% of the subcompact CUV segment with those turbo 3 cylinder engines that no one wants. Please explain what GM squandered away!

      It also seems GM has put a lot of fun money into the Corvette and it’s paying off nicely. How can you ignore that? The demand for the Z06 fictional?

      It’s seems you’re just another troll who will complain endlessly that GM won’t produce the unicorn that you want.

      Reply
      1. GM sold only 6 thousand Z06s last year. One day’s production for a typical Toyota plant.

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      2. Yeah, and too bad the Z06 sounds like an Electrolux on steroids.

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    2. Mr. Mike, I assume you’ve conducted a similar amount of market research as GM has.

      Reply
      1. Well i bet Mr Mike could do a better job at it then some overpaid marketing supposed guru that gm has, cause last i checked less than 10% of the population want an ev, now i could be wrong but the amount of money they have spent and keep on spending. Yeah, they need new management. Look at how much money ford has lost on their f150 lighting, the best-selling truck of all time and there are billions of dollars just sitting in parking lots around the US that no one wants, and ford will have to eat it. Hopefully sooner than later most will wake up and realize this ev idea is a pipe dream, a losing bet and a black hole for money. And let’s not talk about how evs are driving up costs in the insurance world. Future is ICE, no matter what the fuel is, cheaper, infrastructure is there, gas, diesel or the new hydrogen.

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    3. “It’s not just Mary. The whole suite of management needs to get the boot.”

      That is the story of GM since Alfred Sloan retired.

      Reply
  6. GM stupidly killed the Camaro, I know it was a slow seller but that is GM’s fault. There’s no reason why it couldn’t have sold as well as the Mustang except that GM refused to promote it and improve it, so that’s what happens, you’d customers buy the competition. And don’t waste time bringing out an EV version Camaro, it won’t sell. Buyers in that segment want ICE!

    Reply
    1. GM refused to update the car, the interior, etc..same thing with the Malibu, Impala, CT4 and CT5….no advertising on any of those vehicles EVER…but we get plenty of ugly suv or pickup advertising….Barra needs to go…and their market share continues to shrink…they make nothing interesting

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  7. I wonder if Stellantis is making the same mistake GM did with the Camaro. The current Camaro is more of a high performance GT sport coupe than a muscle car compared to the previous gen, and cost a lot more too because of its sophisticated Alpha platform. Will Stellantis offer a SWB Challenger offering the Hurricane I6 and a V8? This Charger is very heavy, big, and is going to be very expensive.

    Reply
    1. GM has frittered away retail US market share from over 50% to less than 17% today. The misteps are too many to count. The Camaro is certainly one. Lack of PHEVs is another missed opportunity.
      Cudos for Dodge with producing and marketing performance cars that competitors could/would not. They have thousands of loyal customers as a result. Seems they still have good days of sales ahead.

      Reply
  8. Why GM Can’t Build A Direct Rival To The Dodge Charger? Because gm’s management is incompetent.

    Reply
  9. Between Camaro and all the rwd platforms from Holden, gm decided they wanted nothing to do those types of vehicles. Only fwd cars. Too bad.

    Reply
  10. I’m pretty sure they can scrape up the VSS-R platform from the bench and complete it. Remember, Al and the Camaro team were working on the next gen Camaro but put it on the shelf to work on other products.

    They use the VSS-S platform on the Trax and trailblazer twins.

    Reply
    1. Dodge is doing the new Charger right with both PIE or ICE powertrain options.

      It’s a damn shame that GM cancelled the Camaro. The Gen 6 is a great car and proves it on the track. A ZL1 at 24hr Lemans. Truly amazing! Production numbers were not that bad (31k in ‘23). I just don’t get it. Apparently they don’t either.

      Their decision to go exclusively plug in electric? Billions in EV R&D funding courtesy of our taxpayer $ the reason. I hope the GM hybrid alternative power trains coming next integrate easily to the EV base platforms as developed.

      I still have believe the market for a reasonably priced front ICE performance car will continue for many years. Dodge knows it. So does Ford.

      Reply
  11. GM is run by mostly by unqualified affirmative action hires.

    Reply
    1. affirmative action has been around since the 1960s, its most just incompetent under 40 somethings, that think everyone wants an ugly suv with a wheezy 3 or 4 cylinder, or an gas sucking pickup,or an overpriced, under developed Ev…Barra needs to go and needs her 30 million a year salary cut

      Reply
  12. 1, just keep using the alpha platform! It’s awesome and still better than most competitors

    2, caddy will not be purely EV by 2030. Might as well keep putting cars on the alpha platform.

    In my view the problem with the sales of the Camaro, was they were trying to compete with high grade sports cars. Muscle cars originally weren’t sports cars, but overly powered family vehicles. The Camaro/transam/GTO/BGN weren’t competing with the corvette. So make a base Camaro with the 2.7 from the Silverado, offer it for less than a Camry, make another with the 5.3, sell it less than a mustangs GT. And they drop the 6.6 in the SS and use the ZL1 as a halo.

    Reply
    1. The comment above by Eagerdever, applies again: “I assume you’ve conducted a similar amount of market research as GM has”.
      You cannot deny that all the car manufacturers are focused on growth and making a sustainable profit along the way.

      Reply
      1. Then why has gm (and Ford for that matter) lost so much market share over the past few decades?

        Reply
        1. Because they need to be profitable to stay in business and pay good money to their employees. The rest of the world is catching up fast and not only in the auto industry.

          Reply
  13. I, as well as others on here, have said this many times. GM needs to have more than just trucks and SUV’s of every possible size. They need cars! GM needs to offer the Malibu in both ICE and EV and PHEV IMO. They need to give Buick a version of that same Malibu with different body styling (but not the new ugly one). GM needs to keep the Camaro offered in ICE and EV while building a Buick and Cadillac 2 door off that same platform.

    I don’t care what anyone says. Platform sharing is no longer an issue. That was an issue 40 + years ago when people purchased and Oldsmobile and expected it to have everything from Olds. Same for the rest of the brands. Today, platform sharing is so common that buyers don’t even realize it.

    Reply
    1. You lost me when you inserted “I don’t care what anyone says” in your comment.

      Reply
      1. Belo: Just a figure of speach. I didn’t mean it literally.

        Reply
  14. More BS from GM. What about the current Alpha platform that is shared with Cadillac? They won’t be able to go all EV in less than 6 years that is another Mary pipe dream. They also have RWD based platforms available from Holden that could be massaged and updated. Just tell us the truth. You don’t want to offer the Camaro and could care a less about affordable sporty cars or manual transmissions. You just want to sell massive profit makers to still try and push the EV agenda

    Reply
    1. From GM Authority, Aug. 1 2022

      “GM axed the beloved Holden brand from its portfolio back in early 2020…”

      Reply
  15. Dodge just cut their throat getting rid of the hellcat for an ev charger makes no sense although it’s a good looking car the electric bull$hit ruined it

    Reply
  16. I suspect that the hype about EV’s has died down because gas prices have come way down from what they were a couple of years ago. With the election coming up in November the Saudi’s and Russians will do their best to drive gas prices back up. Alternative fuels and EV interest fluctuates with gas prices.

    Reply
    1. Which is odd to me since for many people, you aren’t talking about much difference in gas money either way.

      The average person drives about 13,500 miles per year, or 1,125 miles a month.

      If gas is $3/gallon and you only get 15 mpg, you need 75 gallons of gas per month that costs you $225.
      If gas is $3/gallon and you get 35 mpg, you need ~32 gallons of gas per month that costs you $96.
      That’s a “whopping” $129/mo difference for 2 DRASTICALLY different rated mpg vehicles, lol.

      Even if gas gets to $4/gallon, the cost per month difference between these 2 drastically different rated mpg vehicles is $172/mo.

      If $129/mo difference is going to make or break you, you absolutely should not be looking to purchase a brand new vehicle, period. I would also recommend choosing a vehicle that you will actually enjoy driving and if it gets slightly less mpg, so what?

      If you are ditching a 35 mpg vehicle for an EV, you are saving $96/mo in gas (minus electric charging costs), but also likely paying more in the purchase price, higher interest rates now, and higher insurance. Why bother?

      Reply
      1. But gas was $5 to $6 (more in some places) not that many months ago. That gets people thinking.

        Reply
        1. Where? In CA where the powers at be don’t want you driving an ICE vehicle?

          Everywhere else, gas was never more than $3.50 per gallon on average.

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          1. Just a quick Google shows that in April of 2022 gas was $4.546 per gallon. I didn’t check any other places of dates but I suspect that there are other places beside CA where gas was more that $3.50 per gallon.

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    2. The OPEC nations already have been cutting oil production to try and raise prices, but the reduction in demand fueled largely by the growth of the EV market has kept the gas prices down. Every EV naysayer should be happy to have other people buy EVs just to keep the gas demand and prices down.

      Reply
  17. I’m all for heritage/retro styling, but the front end on that Charger, I hope it looks better in person.

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  18. Camaro….may you RIP!!! You will be missed.

    Reply
    1. It will be back. Killing product lines that are declining in sales is a marketing and cost saving strategy to try and drive demand. Just look at the Bolt. Do you honestly think they weren’t going to bring it back with a more common platform eventually?

      Reply
  19. I’ve driven many EVs. Performance is incredible. Mustang Mach E GT is outstanding. I’d like to replace my 2023 Camaro SS convertible with a Camaro EV convertible. Looking forward to Charger EV and might get one even though it’s not a convertible.

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  20. You have to have corporate leadership that loves cars. That dares to take a chance, to be innovative in ways your competition is not. Aside from a small group of engineers and stylists who keep the flame burning with the Corvette, GM is empty of people who love cars. Theirs is a corporate leadership who could easily transition into a company that makes white enameled Refrigerators or Toasters; so bereft of heart and soul in what once was the leading automotive manufacturer on Planet Earth.

    THIS is why GM can’t build a new competitor to the Mustang and Charger. They don’t care about what you or I think; which explains why they are on a collision course with having to sell their soul to some Asian car company.

    Reply
    1. I think they’ve already started that process … as nearly every “new” EV or ICE car for GM is being, or has been released IN china for their market (and then they get mad when it gets leaked, because they didn’t want Americans to know there was a new car released in china that won’t be coming here). I get it, there are billions of dollars to be had over there in the automotive market, and they want profits for their shareholders. I’m just curious how long it’ll take to move all production off U.S. soil, so they can avoid the next UAW strike?

      Reply
    2. everything you ve said is spot on. They dont make cars anymore…their basically transportation boxes, with no style, no engineering, no get up and go….just make a fwd box and slap a Buick, GMC, Cadillac name on it…ive been a GM customer for life, we owned 15 Cadillac, and current own 2 Cts, 1 coupe, 1 sedan…these will be the last ones. Im not driving a soccer mom box or a pickup….or an underengineered ev. With Mary Barra at the helm, all you are getting is grocer getters for fat soccer mom…no thanks

      Reply
  21. GM is missing eggs, they have great potential to build high-performance models, but no, they prefer to continue making toasters with wheels just to meet a goal that they will not even reach halfway.

    And with the fall of electric cars, brands like Ford, Mercedes, Renault and Volvo prefer to turn their backs on them.

    Reply
  22. I hope I’m wrong but with the Dodge Charger the version that will sell the most is the ICE L6, to be honest, even if this generation does not have the V8, it will have fewer sales than the outgoing generation.

    Reply
  23. Think how awesome it would be if Gm would bring back the 70 chevelle with crank windows and just the basics for performance or 69 gto that really looked like one . I think dodge made a big mistake stopping the challenger just to try and shove electric vehicles at us

    Reply
  24. Dodge/Stellanis is doing EVs to meet CAFE mandate. Fines for missing are humongous.

    Reply
  25. GM seems to have the worst marketing strategy of the big three. The new Charger is brilliant. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but it will sure bring them into the showroom where they can buy something else like the Hornet if the Charger doesn’t work for them. Both Stellantis and Ford have held their market share since forever it seems. GM keeps losing about a point every couple years. Jeez time to maybe put a fork in it.
    Btw I loved the Camaro. And now they dropped it.

    Reply
  26. Who says that GM was smart ? They have killed off some of the best vehicles ever.. Soon even Hyundai and Kia well over take GM in America. They have already over taken GM.on the world market.

    Reply
  27. Consumers will decide about Evs not Gm . Same goes for the future of our country next year .

    Reply
  28. They keep mentioning Charger/Challenger as if they are one? I’m confused. I’ve always thought that the latest generation of Chargers were ridiculous because they had 4 doors. NO MUSCLE CAR FROM THE ERA EVER HAD 4 DOORS! The current Challenger is a muscle car, The current Charger is not. The flagship models from back in time were always coupes or convertibles. ALL the classics that fetch 6 figures at auctions are coupes and convertibles. 4 door cars look stodgy, pedestrian and family oriented. The styling suffers. Being a mopar man from back in the day, I am happy to see the Charger has a coupe again. I can live with the option of 4 doors but I think it waters down the marque.

    As far as Charger vs. Challenger, they were two different size vehicles. Both were coupes or convertibles. To put them in perspective, the Challenger was the Camaro equivalent, the Charger was the midsize Chevelle equivalent. The current Challenger was an afterthought and was derived by cutting 3-4″ out of the middle of the 300 platform, which is the same as the current charger. As it stands the Challenger is already quite a bit longer than a Camaro by almost a foot. So I guess it makes sense that if they’re going to offer a 4 door option, they might as well consolidate the Charger/Challenger into one model. If that’s the case. I’m not sure.

    Reply
  29. Dodge is going at this smart. A Charger full size platform w/ 2 door, 4 door, PIE and ICE configuration options.

    Always loved early Chargers but 4 door Chargers? They never quite did it for me. I can’t be the only one that thinks that.

    GM screwed up flying the 100% electric banner. They know it and so do we.

    Hybrid will be another alternative for those that want it. Other alternatives will follow, hydrogen fuel cells, etc. Optional power trains are here to stay.

    I still believe ICE powertrain vehicles will continue to be available for years to come.

    Reply
  30. GM can not compete because it is a woke company, and has sold their soul to the Biden ways.

    Reply
  31. So sad to see gm China starve North America of few choices when only a few Buick models. The last true Buick designed, engineered & assembled here is the only Buick left (yes shared with Traverse, Acadia & XT6).

    Reply
  32. The new Charger is a very large car. Based on the STLA Large platform. 202 inches long. Friends that is the size of a 1980 Ford LTD. Most of that will be in the back seat and massive trunk. Think fleet sales to law enforcement. The margin per unit will be very, very good for Stellantis.

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  33. For all you worried about just what the Grill Logo stands for… It’s the old Dodge “FRATZOG” logo.They stopped using it back in 1981. It’s older than dirt. So you all can stop your conspriacy talk. It’s just a logo. Rest easy my troops!

    Reply

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