Chrysler Calls Out Dealers for Shady Hellcat Sales Practices
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is warning consumers that its own dealers could be up to some shady, if not illegal, tactics.
With the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models in high demand, FCA is warning that some of its dealers are engaging in “unscrupulous” and perhaps illegal practices. The company’s vice president of communications, Gualberto Ranieri, has said that a handful of dealers have accepted a large number of orders “without regard to available supply and without advising their customers that orders may not be filled, if at all, for many months or longer.”
SEE ALSO: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Review
Dodge is trying its best to be as transparent as possible when discussing how its allocating the supply for the Hellcat models, which is based on total Dodge sales and how long previous Hellcats have remained in inventory. Through this strategy, the company hopes to at least curb dealers that are holding the popular cars for themselves or marking them up way above retail, slowing sales to consumers.
The company even went so far as to release a document outlining the ordering process to better help consumers understand it.
Ranieri is urging customers to ask pointed questions to dealers before placing an order on a Hellcat model, including whether a deposit is required and whether the deposit is refundable.
A post on the official FCA blog, outlines the questions any Hellcat customer should ask their dealer:
- Is the dealer an authorized Dodge dealer?
- How many Hellcat orders does the authorized dealer have pending and where would I be on the list?
- Based on the dealer’s prior 90 day Dodge sales and previous Hellcat scheduling, when can I expect to receive my Hellcat order?
- Does the authorized dealer require a deposit for a Hellcat order.
- Is the deposit refundable and at what point in time? Please consult your state law governing the vehicle orders and the return of deposits.
Additionally, FCA advises that any customer who has placed an order and who feels it may not be filled are urged to contact their dealer to discuss the matter.
Discuss this story at our Dodge forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation
I didn't understand, what's the shady technique?
So, they take on orders for cars that aren't even built yet, not a problem as long as they are scheduled and the client is informed along time frame., yet not even scheduled, and above MSRP?! I suppose the extreme few just want to get in line because they have other things to wonder about, such as where they park their next Lamborghini, but seriously, if these guys don't have something comparable on hand, ready to sell, they should not be in business.... display model should be sellable, and they should have back up's, they make crazy amounts of money off of essentially shuffling money around, they don't actually build anything, nor do they know squat along the product itself, nothing along the mechanics or otherwise outside of the basics and what is told to them from the outside. All other fields, MSRP means,. it's going to be purchased less then this, but here is the high end benchmark, any one selling at MSRP is either an idiot or a con artist, and that's how things work in the business world... Anyway, not impressed with these latest overpriced fast cars, they are cramped, thin everything, and just packed full of stuff that can and will break and malfunction. This is not some luxury take it easy sedan, it's going to be put through the rigor's more then commuters and regular cars, you want bulletproof simplicity to minimize mechanical failure. We now have fly by wire, fast moving tin can contraptions that are begging to push things past the legal limit on the roads.... and a short could cause major loss of life and property due to this combo... great, just great...