Why are Dodge cars being discontinued?

In short, Dodge is phasing out many of its traditional passenger cars as Stellantis pivots the brand toward SUVs and electrified performance, signaling an era where crossovers and electric models will dominate its lineup.

From a broader industry perspective, this shift reflects evolving consumer tastes, tightening emissions regulations, and the automaker’s long-term plan to electrify its portfolio. Dodge has long billed itself as a performance-focused brand; today that identity is being retooled around higher-margin vehicles and new propulsion tech, rather than the classic sedans that once defined American driving culture.

What is happening and which models are affected

The move involves winding down or reimagining some of Dodge’s most recognizable street cars, with the Charger and Challenger at the center of transition narratives. Dodge has signaled a move away from traditional internal-combustion sedans toward a future built on crossovers and electrified performance, while introducing new models to anchor the brand’s next era.

• Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger are being phased out in their current forms as the brand shifts to an SUV- and EV-focused lineup.


• Dodge is expanding its crossover/compact SUV presence (for example, the Hornet) as a core part of its future.


• Future Dodge offerings are expected to emphasize electrified performance and BEV platforms rather than legacy V8 sedans.

The exact timing and regional availability of discontinuations can vary, and Dodge has used milestone editions and marketing campaigns to mark the end of an era for certain nameplates. As with many automaker transitions, expectations may evolve with new product announcements and regulatory developments.

Reasons behind the discontinuation

Several intertwined factors are driving Dodge’s strategic shift away from traditional passenger cars toward SUVs and electrified models.

1. Market demand: Consumers have shown a strong preference for crossovers and SUVs, while demand for sedans has waned in the United States and many global markets.


2. Regulatory pressure and costs: Meeting increasingly stringent emissions standards and investing in clean-power platforms increases the cost and complexity of maintaining a wide ICE-based lineup.


3. Electrification strategy: Stellantis aims to accelerate its battery-electric and electrified offerings, consolidating platforms and prioritizing products that scale across regions.


4. Profitability and product lifecycle: SUVs and EVs typically offer better margins and longer product lifecycles, helping automakers manage investments and dealer networks more efficiently.


5. Brand positioning and future lineup: Dodge is signaling a pivot toward electric performance and new crossover segments to keep the brand relevant in a rapidly changing market.

Experts point to a multi-year transition rather than an overnight shutdown—the goal is to retire aging ICE sedans while gradually introducing new electrified models and maintaining performance-inspired options that align with the brand’s identity.

What this means for buyers and enthusiasts

For current Dodge owners, service, parts, and warranties typically continue under existing agreements, while dealerships adapt to the evolving model lineup. For potential buyers, the shift means prioritizing the brand’s current BEV/hybrid options and upcoming crossovers over legacy two-door muscle cars.

Impact on enthusiasts

Enthusiasts may feel a cultural loss as the era of widely available V8 rear-drive sedans winds down. However, Dodge is signaling that it will pursue high-performance electric models and distinctive crossovers that aim to deliver a comparable thrill with modern efficiency and technology.

What potential buyers should watch

prospective buyers should monitor official Dodge announcements for the timing of discontinuations, the availability of remaining ICE models in their region, and the introduction of new electrified and BEV products that will shape the near-term and long-term Dodge lineup.

Historical context and industry trend

The discontinuation of traditional Dodge sedans mirrors a broader industry trend where automakers are streamlining lineups to focus on profitable, high-demand vehicles—primarily SUVs, trucks, and electrified models. This approach helps manufacturers navigate supply-chain challenges, regulatory pressures, and the economics of modern vehicle development.

Summary

In summary, Dodge is moving away from its long-running sedan lineup as part of a larger corporate pivot toward SUVs and electrified performance. The Charger and Challenger, emblematic of a bygone era of American muscle, are being retired in their current forms as Dodge invests in crossovers and BEVs. The transition reflects consumer behavior, regulatory realities, and Stellantis’ electrification goals, while the brand seeks to preserve its performance-driven identity in a rapidly changing market.

Why are Hellcats getting banned?

Hellcats are not banned everywhere, but some models, specifically the high-performance versions of the Dodge Durango, are restricted or banned from sale in certain U.S. states due to strict emissions regulations set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These states require vehicles to meet more stringent emissions standards, which the supercharged HEMI V8 engines in trims like the Durango SRT Hellcat and R/T 392 do not currently meet. As a result, Dodge has limited sales of these specific trims to states that do not follow CARB standards.
 
This video explains why the Dodge Durango Hellcat is banned in certain US states: 53sKnockout 360YouTube · Sep 17, 2025

• Reason for restrictions: The primary reason is emissions, as the powerful V8 engines do not meet the stricter standards set by CARB. 
• CARB states: Seventeen states, plus Washington D.C., follow CARB's stricter rules, including California, New York, and Massachusetts. 
• Affected models: The ban applies to specific models with the higher-output V8 engines, such as the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and R/T 392. The base 5.7-liter HEMI GT version of the Durango is still available nationwide. 
• Dodge's response: Dodge has not yet gone through the lengthy and costly process of certifying these specific engines for CARB states, leading to the sales restriction. The company has stated it will continue working with CARB to try and expand availability to more states in the future. 

You can watch this video to learn about the Dodge Durango Hellcat being banned in these states: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · Sep 16, 2025

Why is Dodge discontinuing so many cars?

A Shift Toward Electric Vehicles
One of the biggest reasons Dodge discontinues the Charger and Challenger is the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs). Around the world, car companies are moving away from gas-powered engines and focusing on cleaner, more efficient electric motors.

Is Dodge in trouble financially?

The Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler-maker is in trouble
US sales between July and September fell 19.8% from the year before and 11.5% from the previous three-month period. That's a gut punch to Stellantis's bottom line—more than half of its profits tend to come from the American market. Driving the dip were Chrysler and Dodge.

What is Dodge replacing Challenger with?

The Dodge Challenger's replacement is the next-generation Dodge Charger, which will be available in both all-electric and gasoline-powered versions and will offer 3-door and 5-door body styles to replace both the previous Charger and Challenger. The gasoline models are expected to feature an inline-six engine, while the fully electric models will have varying levels of horsepower.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the new Dodge Charger Daytona: 50sJoe Beermaster The Car MasterYouTube · Apr 28, 2025

• Models: The new vehicle will be called the Dodge Charger and will replace both the Challenger and the previous Charger. 
• Body styles: It will be available in both two-door and four-door versions, with the two-door model specifically replacing the Challenger. 
• Powertrain: Buyers will have options for either an all-electric or a gasoline-powered powertrain. 
• Gasoline engine: The gasoline versions will feature a new twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, with horsepower expected to be around 420 hp or 550 hp depending on the trim. 
• Electric powertrain: The electric models will have varying levels of horsepower, with performance levels reaching up to 800 hp or more in the high-performance SRT variants. 
• Production timeline: Production of the new Charger began in 2024, with the gasoline and electric models entering production in late 2024 and 2025, respectively.