Chrysler ordering schools to destroy donated Dodge Vipers

[Hum]

The automotive technology department at the Olympia, Washington, school was contacted by a Chrysler representative this week, and told that it had two weeks to destroy the donated 1992 Dodge Viper supercar it used in its classes.

The vehicle is a pre-production model, and not certified for street use. It?s common practice for such cars to be given to educational programs to teach students about car repair and engineering, but the automakers technically retain legal ownership of the vehicles. This particular car was originally given to nearby Shoreline Community College, but SPSCC took possession of it in 2007.

It was also the fourth Viper produced, and considered by some to have historical significance due to its early build and the fact that it features a hard top four years before the production version would be offered with one.

Ninety-two additional Vipers are understood to have been donated to other institutions, several of which have reported receiving the same orders from Chrysler to dispose of the cars.

South Puget Sound Community College wasn?t given an official reason for the request, but automotive-technology professor Norm Chapman tells FoxNews.com that the rumor going around was that two of the had ?got loose? and were involved in accidents on public roads, leading to millions of dollars in claims against the automaker, so it was shutting down the program to protect itself from further liability.

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[theyarecomingforyou]

I honestly don't understand why businesses like Chrysler have to be so obnoxious in the way they conduct themselves. This is a disgusting move.

[greenwizard88]

A non-street legal car gets driven on the road, and it's the auto-manufacturer's fault? Uh huhhhhh...

[Praetor]

A non-street legal car gets driven on the road, and it's the auto-manufacturer's fault? Uh huhhhhh...

 

because their are the legal owners of those donated cars; unfair, i know.

[Lord Method Man]

A non-street legal car gets driven on the road, and it's the auto-manufacturer's fault? Uh huhhhhh...

 

I'm if someone got into an accident a way would be found to sue the manufacturer so, yeah.

[RageOfFury]

Chrysler issued an official response: ?Approximately 10 years ago, Chrysler Group donated a number of Dodge Viper vehicles to various trade schools for educational purposes.  As part of the donation process, it is standard procedure ? and stipulated in our agreements ? that whenever vehicles are donated to institutions for education purposes that they are to be destroyed when they are no longer needed for their intended educational purposes. With advancements in automotive technology over the past decade, it is unlikely that these vehicles offer any educational value to students. Chrysler Group fully understands and appreciates the historical significance of the Viper and is very active in preserving many of its legendary models and designs for historic purposes however, none of these vehicles fit into this category.

?Chrysler Group has no record of any legal proceedings involving Dodge Viper vehicles donated to educational institutions being involved in accidents and product liability lawsuits.?

 

 

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2014/03/fourth-viper-prototype-to-be-crushed

[neufuse Veteran]

it's within their rights if they maintained ownership and this wasn't a here it's yours forever, but a loan type of thing for demos and education of how cars work

[chrisj1968]

I honestly don't understand why businesses like Chrysler have to be so obnoxious in the way they conduct themselves. This is a disgusting move.

 

isn't chrysler now government motors due to the bailout? I have a FORD Tshirt that says "Not made with your tax dollars." :)

[PGHammer]

Chrysler, like GM, has paid the government back (the additional stipulatrion for Chrysler was that it be acquired by Fiat - that deal closed earlier this year, with the result being Fiat Chrysler, LLC).