Chrysler to Suspend Viper Production for 12 Weeks

Slow sales have prompted Chrysler Group to halt production of its $100,000-plus Viper sports car for at least two months, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Chrysler says it will idle its Viper factor in Detroit between April 14 and June 23.

When Chrysler relaunched the 640-hp Viper last year, it hoped to sell about 1,600 cars annually. But sales were fewer than 600 last year and totaled only 91 in the first two months of this year.

Viper dealers have a 400-plus day supply of the supercars, more than six times the market norm, according to Automotive News.