Dodge does not have any relationship with the company that imports and converts these cars.
The Dodge Charger sedan is not only a favorite in the United States. The V6 and V8 versions are also very popular. Dodge makes police-spec Chargers, with a variety of upgrades right from the factory. An Australian import company is eager to bring this capability to Australian police agencies. It may not be easy to make it happen, even with Dodge’s support.
SCD Remanufactured Vehicles was the importer. We reported recently on the company’s plans to import Charger pursuit cars to Australia. This country has been left with few options for high-performance, affordable replacements after the deaths of the Ford Falcon & Holden Commodore. Although the Charger’s Hemi V8 power might be a good choice, Dodge does not offer the car in left-hand driving configuration. CarAdvice states that Dodge has no relationship or affiliation with SCD Remanufactured vehicles.
This is a problem because Dodge doesn’t know how SCD’s conversion will affect the Charger. CarAdvice was allegedly given a statement by Dodge describing the situation. It stated that Stellantis and FCA Australia, an Australian counterpart, “cannot guarantee and endorse that the conversion processes used by SCD, its affiliated companies, and other non factory approved third-party importers comply with the rigorous quality and safety standards established by our internal processes, and the requirements of our company.”
SCD is said to be committed to continuing imports of cars and complying with Australian regulations in full. Although such compliance does not necessarily require approval or cooperation from the primary manufacturer, it is unclear how this compliance could possibly be achieved without some manufacturer involvement. It is difficult and expensive to move a steering wheel inside a car. This can also have a negative impact on safety systems and crash structures.
The Charger’s final price could be higher than the Mercedes models currently being used in certain locations. Kia Stinger have been also drafted for pursuit duty. However, the Stinger’s current run could end next spring . This is a temporary solution.
SCD has already imported two Dodge Charger V6 Dodge Chargers and they are being converted by police agencies to demonstrate the car’s capabilities. The response to these initial offers will determine the future direction of the program.