Chrysler to announce plans for new Challenger

Reuters / June 30, 2006 - 7:00 am NEW YORK -- The Chrysler division of DaimlerChrysler AG is expected to announce on Friday a new Dodge Challenger coupe styled and named after the automaker's 1970s muscle car, The Wall Street Journal said.

The V8-powered Challenger won't be sold until next year, but Chrysler will promote the car this summer to try to pull customers into showrooms, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the company's plans.

Chrysler's announcement of the new Challenger tomorrow at a NASCAR race in Daytona Beach, Florida, was moved forward by several months in hopes it will create some buzz for the automaker, the newspaper's sources said.Chrysler also is expected to unveil details an employee-pricing discount plan for consumers in a campaign that will feature DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche, the newspaper said.Zetsche discussed the campaign with reporters on Tuesday.

The new incentive blitz will cut pricing for a limited time to a level company employees normally pay for most Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, dealers in the know told the Journal.Customers will be offered interest-free loans of up to 36