Why is Dodge being discontinued?
Dodge as a brand is not being shut down. The company is pivoting to electric vehicles, which means certain current models—most notably its gasoline-powered muscle cars—will be retired as Dodge builds new electric performance models in the coming years.
What is happening at Dodge
In a strategic shift, Stellantis’ Dodge brand is moving away from relying primarily on internal-combustion engines toward a fully electrified lineup. The move is part of the broader Dare Forward 2030 plan and the industry-wide transition to cleaner mobility.
Model-level changes
Below are the Dodge models that have been or are expected to be discontinued in the near term as the brand pivots to EVs.
- Dodge Charger: The gasoline-powered Charger’s traditional variants are slated to end production as Dodge shifts to electric performance.
- Dodge Challenger: The gasoline-powered Challenger is also slated to end production, ceding ground to future electric muscle cars.
Concluding: These changes reflect a broader strategic shift rather than a brand shutdown, with Dodge planning new electric models to carry the performance legacy forward.
Why this shift is happening
The move is driven by a mix of regulatory pressure, market expectations, and corporate strategy. Emissions rules in major markets, the push toward electrified vehicles, and Stellantis' Dare Forward 2030 plan are guiding Dodge toward a future with electric performance offerings while retiring some legacy ICE models.
What to expect next
While the current lineup fades, Dodge has signaled that it will introduce new electric performance vehicles, including BEV variants of its famous muscle-car heritage, under a continued focus on horsepower and driving dynamics.
Summary
Bottom line: Dodge itself is not being discontinued; the brand is undergoing a deliberate electrification shift. Some long-running, gas-powered models are ending production, making room for new electric models that aim to preserve Dodge’s performance identity in a changing automotive landscape.
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.
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
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 company bought out Dodge?
Dodge is owned by Stellantis, a multinational automotive corporation formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. Under Stellantis, Dodge operates as one of the company's many brands, alongside other former FCA brands like Jeep, Chrysler, and RAM.
- Parent Company: Stellantis is the parent company of Dodge.
- Formation: Stellantis was created in January 2021 through a merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group.
- Brands: Dodge is one of several brands owned by Stellantis, which also includes Chrysler, Jeep, and RAM.
