The SEMA show is one of the biggest automotive aftermarket events in the world. Companies create elaborate displays for SEMA to show off their wares and stage grand unveilings of new products. Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge, announced late last week that it would cancel all SEMA activities along with its presence at the LA Auto Show.
To say things have been rough for fans of V8-powered Mopar products is an understatement. Dodge announced in 2022 that 2023 would be the final year for the HEMI-powered Chargers and Challengers. These ICE-powered monsters had been a staple in the modern muscle car world and sold well for many years. Dodge fans and owners are still in mourning over their beloved HEMI icons.
Here is the official announcement from Stellantis about SEMA and the LA Auto Show:
“October 20, 2023 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – As the costs of the ongoing UAW strike continue to mount, Stellantis has decided to cancel its planned display and all other presentations at SEMA (Las Vegas Oct. 31- Nov. 3, 2023) and the LA Auto Show (Nov. 16-26, 2023), as part of its contingency plan.”
Hopefully, this is just a small bump in the road for Stellantis and isn’t a sign of bigger problems. There have been some reports that Stellantis will make its announcements about new products at a later date. You might have seen some of the alleged pictures of Dodge Chargers that aren’t EV-based floating around the internet. None of those images are official, and there hasn’t been anything released by Dodge indicating what type of powerplant will be available for the vehicle.
Photos courtesy of Stellantis