Maybe ask them again at Roadkill nights because the plans have changed.
Take a look at the stock price today vs a month ago, post-earnings. The company has lost 15% of its value and is bleeding cash. It is cauterizing the cash bleed (EVs).
It’s important to understand the reasoning behind these moves. Bringing the HEMI back to the market before launching the Ramcharger was a strategic decision. Producing 40,000 units of HEMI-powered vehicles provides a quick and cost‑effective solution to meet demand and maintain excitement within the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Jeep Recon has experienced delays due to tariffs, not due to a lack of interest. Similarly, the Charger Daytona R/T was postponed not because of poor sales, but because profit margins were heavily impacted by tariffs. The Dodge Hornet faces a similar situation.
The reality is that tariffs and international market dynamics play a significant role in the timing and strategy for vehicle launches. So, take what you see on YouTube with caution—there’s often more behind the scenes than what’s presented online.
When it comes to the quick fixes Antonio Filosa is implementing, the goal is simple: drive sales and generate revenue quickly.
Unlike Carlos Tavares, who followed a limited-production strategy—producing fewer vehicles to drive up prices and save money by running fewer shifts—Filosa understands that volume sells. His approach mirrors the successful FCA-era formula and the volume strategy used by GM and Ford.
The return of SRT plays a critical role in this plan, not only creating halo vehicles that excite the market but also bringing higher profit margins. I highlighted this strategy in a recent video on my “The Mopar Junkie” channel, following the investor meeting where Filosa officially announced the TRX is returning.
Here’s the strategy in motion:
- Small, high-impact launches like the Ram 1500 Express, Ram 2500 Express, and Ram 2500 Warlock create fast revenue streams.
- Key product launches like the Dodge Charger SIXPACK and the next-generation Jeep Cherokee are volume drivers that expand market share.
- Immediate fixes like the HEMI return in the Ram 1500 are low-cost solutions to capture demand and drive excitement.
Filosa has also been candid that not having direct replacements for discontinued models—including the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Ram 1500 Classic, Ram ProMaster City, Jeep Cherokee, and Jeep Renegade—has hurt sales and profits, driving loyal customers to competing brands. He knows these gaps must be filled quickly to keep momentum.
The proof is already there: on opening day alone, Ram saw 10,000 units ordered for the aging 5.7-liter HEMI, showing that the volume approach works. But not every vehicle can return immediately due to regulatory requirements. For example:
- The Ram 1500 was able to bring the HEMI back quickly, but only after updating the electrical architecture.
- Emissions and compliance rules allow a one-year grace period to return a previously offered powertrain without major changes.
- Larger vehicles like the Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer, and Grand Cherokee will take longer to reintroduce HEMI options because they’ve been out of production for over a year.
At the Chrysler Carlisle Nationals, Chris Feuell confirmed the brand is exploring a sub‑$30,000 vehicle, while Matt McAlear shared late last year that Dodge is targeting a $30,000 sports car. Tim Kuniskis is driving forward the new mid‑size Ram truck to replace the 1500 Classic, and Bob Broderdorf will launch all‑new Compass and Renegade models by 2027.
Filosa’s approach is clear:
- Fix small gaps fast to generate cash.
- Drive volume and regain market share with accessible, profitable models.
- Use that cash to fund new product launches and prepare for future market shifts.
If tariffs with Canada can be resolved, interest rates come down, and new emissions regulations are delayed, Filosa could realistically turn the company around in as little as 16 months.