We’ve written extensively about the Dodge Challenger including its few problems and its many capabilities on this blog. Today we’re going to look at where the Challenger is made. This seems to be a straightforward question, but this car consists of many components (engine, transmission, tires, etc.) made in different parts of the world. Let’s start with a quick answer:
Since 2008 Dodge Challengers have been assembled at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. However, most of the parts and components of the Challenger are manufactured in the United States (3.5L SOHC V6 and 3.6L Pentastar engine, and most transmissions), Mexico (HEMI V8’s), or Germany (8HP90 transmission for Hellcat).
However, that certainly doesn’t answer the question entirely. Below, we’ll first dive into detail about the assembly location. After, that we’ll give you the complete rundown of where the engines are made, and we’ll do the same for all transmissions used in this vehicle. Finally, we’ll talk about how to identify which tires you have and where they are manufactured precisely. Read on!
Also read: How Many Miles Can A Dodge Challenger Last? (Answered)
Assembly Locations Per Generation
The first generation of the Dodge Challenger, manufactured between 1970 – 1974, was assembled in Hamtramck, Michigan, and Los Angeles, California.
The second generation of the Dodge Challenger, manufactured between 1978 – 1983, was a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Lambada Coupe, and therefore it was assembled by Mitsubishi in Okazaki, Aichi, Japan.
The third generation of the Dodge Challenger, manufactured from 2008 onwards, is assembled in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, at the Brampton assembly plant. The Brampton plant assembles between 200,000 – 250,000 Dodges per year, of which 50,000 – 75,000 of them are Dodge Challengers.
Engine
Another essential part of this pony car is, of course, what engine it has. For this specific subheading, we’ll talk about the engines used in the third generation of the Dodge Challenger manufactured from 2008 onwards.
When we take a look at this, we find that the Challenger has had several different engines. From 2009 – 2010 the early base models of the Challenger used a 3.5L SOHC V6 engine made by Chrysler. After that, the 3.5L was replaced with a 3.6L Pentastar. SRT versions of the Challenger (including the Demon and Hellcat) used a 5.7L, 6.1L, 6.2L, or 6.4L V8 HEMI.
All information we have from the 3.5L SOHC V6 engine is that it was made in a plant in the city of Trenton, Michigan.
What we know from the Pentastar engine is that these are manufactured in three different locations in the United States. These are as follows:
- Dundee Engine Plant in Dundee, Michigan
- Trenton Engine Plant in Trenton, Michigan
- Saltillo South Engine Plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico
Furthermore, all HEMI engines are made at the Saltillo South Engine Plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico.
Transmission
In this article, we’ve already talked extensively about the Dodge Challenger and the various transmissions it has used throughout the years. For the third generation, the transmission options look like this:
- 4-speed automatic 42RLE (2009)
- 5-speed automatic W5A580 (2008–2014)
- 8-speed automatic 845RE, 8HP70, 8HP90 (2014–present)
- 6-speed manual Tremec TR6060 (2008–present)
These transmissions are made at the following plants:
- The 4-speed automatic 42RLE was, and the 5-speed W5A580 automatic is made at the Indiana Transmission Plant II, on the north side of Kokomo
- The 845RE and 8HP70 are designed by ZF in Friedrichshafen, Germany. ZF also produces their transmission at this location. However, the Dodge Challengers use an American made variant of this transmission which Chrysler manufactures at the Indiana Transmission Plan II, in Kokomo.
- 8-speed 8HP90 automatic is made in Saarbrucken, Germany
- The 6-speed manual Tremec TR6060 is made by Tremec in Queretaro, Mexico.
Tires
Unfortunately, Dodge has no information available about what brand of tires come stock on the Challenger. Therefore, it’s impossible to give information about this. However, there is a way to figure this out yourself.
Suppose you want to know exactly where the tires of your Dodge Challenger are made, then you can look up the DOT code on the side of your tires. This code is not that large, so you’ll have to take a moment to find it. It’s an extended code of letters and numbers that starts with the letters ‘DOT’. DOT stands for Department Of Transportation.
After the DOT letters, you’ll find a combination of three letters, numbers, or a mix. For example, ‘1M3’. In this case, 1M3 indicates Michelin makes the tire in Greenville, South Carolina. You can search on the internet for the specific three number/letter combination you have to find the exact manufacturer and location where the tires are made.
Who Designed The Dodge Challenger?
The first generation of the Dodge Challenger (like the Charger) was originally designed by Carl Cameron. Carl was not only responsible for the design of the 1970 Dodge Challenger but also for the 1967 Dodge Dart and 1966 Dodge Charger. Carl spent many years at Chrysler and passed away on September 5, 2006.
Unfortunately, it’s unclear who was responsible for the second generation of the Dodge Challenger. However, we do know this for the third generation.
The third generation of the Dodge Challenger was designed by Michael Castiglione and Alan Barrington. Castiglione worked at Chrysler for 15 years where he worked on the design of the Challenger, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Compass. He left the company in 2008 for Ken Okuyama Design. Eventually, he ended up at the Kia Design Center in the United States. Alan Barrington also left Chrysler in 2008 after working there for 7 years and he made the switch to Mercedes-Benz.
Are Challengers American Made?
It’s helpful to know where a car was made when it comes to sourcing parts, should problems with your Dodge Challenger Hellcat or other model arise. Dodge Challengers manufactured from 2008 onwards are not American-made. The assembly of the car is done in Brampton, Ontario in Canada. The 3.5 and 3.6L engines are generally manufactured in Michigan, although all HEMI engines are manufactured in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico. Most transmissions are made in Kokomo, Indiana, except for the 8HP90 for the Hellcat, which is made in Queretaro, Mexico.
Closing Thoughts
The Dodge Challenger, while a distinct symbol of American muscle, truly embodies a global collaboration in its production. Assembling the vehicle in Canada’s Brampton Assembly Plant is only one part of its journey. The car’s heart, its engine, has roots in the United States and Mexico, while the transmission can trace back to Germany for specific models. The tires, another essential component, add yet another layer of international involvement. In essence, every Dodge Challenger on the road is not just a testament to the brand’s engineering and design prowess, but also a product of global cooperation. This diverse origin story emphasizes the interconnectedness of today’s automotive industry, showing that it truly takes a world to build a car like the Challenger.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_SOHC_V6_engine#3.5
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Challenger#Third_generation_(2008%E2%80%93present)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultradrive#42RLE
- https://www.tremec.com/faqs.php#:~:text=A%3A%20TREMEC%20transmissions%20are%20designed,are%20located%20in%20Wixom%2C%20Michigan.
- https://www.motortrend.com/news/another-one-gone-dodge-challenger-concept-designer-leaves-chrysler-1930/
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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