EV Sales Stall

Quiet Start for Charger Daytona EV

Looks like Dodge’s leap into electric muscle cars isn’t taking off as they’d hoped. Despite all the buzz around the all-electric Charger Daytona, buyers are sticking with the classics. In the first quarter of 2025, Dodge moved 1,947 units of the Charger Daytona EV. Meanwhile, the old-school muscle cars, which wrapped production in late 2023, still found 1,052 homes with new Chargers and 922 Challengers sold in the same timeframe. That’s 1,974 gas-powered legends sold, barely nudging past the new, greener sibling.

Nationwide Sales Lag

With just about 22 Daytona EVs sold daily across the country, these numbers fall short of Dodge’s expectations for their muscle lineup. Ford’s Mustang, even with a 32% hit from the previous year, still outsold with 9,377 units that quarter. Comparing to a year earlier, over 9,700 Challengers were sold in Q1 alone, showing that the Daytona’s initial sales aren’t as dazzling as they’d have hoped.

Backlog of Inventory

A glut of 2023 models on dealer lots seems to be stalling Dodge’s electric launch. As of early April, 657 Chargers and 691 Challengers were still up for grabs. Demand for these iconic speedsters remains, but not enough to rapidly deplete the sizable stock.

Deep Discounts

In an unexpected move, dealers are slashing prices on the Charger Daytona EV. Some discounts reach up to $21,000 below MSRP. One New York dealership listed a Scat Pack model for $61,740, a significant drop from its original $82,175. CarScoops reports this reflects a struggle to attract longtime fans, wary of the shift from what they’re used to.

Brand Troubles

The Daytona EV is just one part of broader struggles for Dodge. The brand’s overall sales slid by 49% from the previous year, tumbling from 42,948 in Q1 2024 to 21,731 in Q1 2025. The Hornet compact SUV took a big hit at 45% down, while the Durango saw a smaller dip at 9%. The decline touches every model, underscoring deeper issues beyond just a single sluggish EV rollout.

Looking Ahead

Dodge seems determined to hold onto its traditional base even with its electric pivot. New offerings, including a four-door Daytona and cars with a twin-turbo inline-six, are in the works to woo the muscle car purists. For now, it’s clear: the brand’s core buyers aren’t quite ready to ditch their roaring engines for quiet electric powertrains.