One of the great muscle cars of all time has been reincarnated (pun intended) and will debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The Dodge Challenger SRT-8 is the car everyone will be looking for. Top speed is reported to be 170 and will do the quarter mile in a tick under 14 seconds. Convertible and other engines will be available in 2010.
Implications - In a society obsessed with productivity and efficiency, the faster a vehicle can move is synonymous with its overall quality. As such, automotive companies are always pushing to engineer a car with outstanding top speed in order to satisfy this consumer mindset. Car companies looking sell their products should consider marketing the speed of the car in conjunction with other powerful qualities that influence a consumer's status symbol.
Muscle Car Makes Strong Debut
Dodge Challenger SRT-8
Trend Themes
1. Automotive Speed Rush - Automotive companies should focus on engineering cars with outstanding top speed to satisfy the consumer mindset of productivity and efficiency.
2. Muscle Car Revival Wave - There is a growing demand for regaining the muscle car culture among car enthusiasts.
3. Convertible Craze - The different engines available and convertibles of Dodge Challenger SRT-8 pave the way for similar convertible models of other car companies.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - Automotive companies should collaborate with technological companies to innovate new speed technologies.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing teams should promote a car's speed in a way that influences its consumer's status symbol.
3. Car Enthusiast Groups - Car enthusiasts groups should take advantage of the revival wave of muscle cars to discuss the benefits and downsides of the niche culture.