Back in May, we were the first to reveal that Chrysler was going to be requiring that its dealers meet certain special criteria to sell the 2013 SRT Viper. Now, USA Today is reporting that no more than 6.5 percent of Chrysler’s U.S. dealerships will earn the right to sell the new Viper. Of the 2,300 dealerships, “only about 100 to 150” will satisfy the qualifications SRT has deemed necessary to satisfy the “different kind of a customer” and “different approach” that the Viper requires. That’s far fewer outlets than the one-fifth of Chrysler’s dealer body that was rumored back in July.
Those fortunate enough to make the cut will receive full-circle training in how to deal with all aspects of the $99,390 SRT Viper and $122,390 Viper GTS, and a report in Automotive News indicates that they’ll have to pay for it: a “high-performance agreement” to sell the 640-horsepower coupe will cost $20,000, but a further $5,000 is needed for tools, training, preferential ordering and peripherals that apply to the brand and every vehicle in the SRT stable.
Any dealer can opt in at the $5,000 level, and if they have met customer satisfaction standards, they are eligible for the special treatment when it comes to ordering. Any dealer can also work on any SRT vehicle, excluding the Viper. Only the select few, though, will get the chance to spend that $20,000. What it will take to be among the chosen hasn’t been divulged, with SRT CEO Ralph Gilles saying only that “the first unofficial requirement… [is] a love affair with the cars.”
autoblog
