Dodge's New Charger EV Ad Throws Shade At All "Soulless Sleep Pod" Models

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Dodge, the brand whose empire is built upon the Hellcat V8, is gearing up for the release of its first EV, the Charger Daytona. Because this is Dodge we’re talking about, the rollout won’t be quiet, as the automaker recently released a new ad for the EV that tosses shade at every other electrified vehicle on sale.

The spot starts off talking about how the company is making EVs to save the environment, not be trendy. Things go off the rails after that, however, as the announcer goes on to call other EVs “soulless sleep pods” and “weak.” If that wasn’t inflammatory enough, the narrator discloses that Dodge’s real reason for building an EV is to save buyers from “lame, soulless, weak-looking, self-driving sleep pods everyone else keeps polluting our streets with.”


While the ad and surrounding campaign might sound a little aggro, it’s likely one of the best ways for Dodge to get through to its core customer group. The automaker will also lean on performance to draw people in, as it said all of the new electric powertrain options offer a performance upgrade over the gas powertrains they replace.

Dodge also took a somewhat different approach to designing the car, building in the performance first and then focusing on the EV part of the equation. So, while they don’t make the same noise as their V8-powered predecessors, there won’t be any dispute over the raw numbers.


[Images: Dodge]


Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.

Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 36 comments
  • EBFlexing on ur mom EBFlexing on ur mom on Dec 09, 2024
    Chris the opening sentence is patently false. As for this soulless blob, styling is awful, it is awful, nobody wants it, nobody will buy it. Welcome to the new Hornet.
  • All EVs are soulless appliances. I don't care how loud they make the fake exhaust noise. Overpriced disposable garbage.
  • MaintenanceCosts We need a $15k EV, probably a tall hatch, that satisfies US safety standards with reasonable comfort and durability and a warranty. That would actually be affordable to the median wage earner.
  • Calrson Fan I'll take a simple over cheap. Although that should equate to cheap or at least cheaper. I'm so over all the useless & intrusive tech. common in today's cars & trucks. Which is why I drive older stuff. We need more vehicles geared towards simplicity and longevity, like the Slate. if that ever makes it to market. As I once heard on American Hot Rod, less is more. Isn't that the truth!
  • 28-Cars-Later Maybe it will eventually change but as of right now even if you spend the money to build these stations everywhere, if the electricity sold is 100%+ of what its sold for in residential rates it will never take off. To a degree a convenience charge amount (of not 100%) could fly but smart owners will understand the trade off and limit their use of it. Those without home charging capabilities simply won't continue to pay through the nose on electricity - a utility of which has skyrocketed even wholesale and I suspect will continue to do so.
  • KOKing Need and want are definitely different, especially today. Not only are relative expectations different from 40-50yrs ago, but used cars' value/features/quality probably make them more attractive options than a couple generations ago. I suspect for the same $21k as a Hyundai Venue, a lot of people would choose a ~5yr old Ford Explorer instead. Today's gas prices might make some think twice, but a lot of the same people probably won't think as far as repair costs.I think something interesting to look at in other global markets where historically cheap, small cars continue to be available, where cheap Chinese cars are becoming available, whether the latter end up quickly displacing the former in the low-cost segment long-term (I suspect yes).
  • Lorenzo What the American market needs is a 1997 Honda Civic EX in coupe or sedan form, fully loaded like in 1997 at 1997 prices ($19K) or a slightly bigger 1997 Nissan Altima GXE sedan with the larger 2.4L engine and reliable Jatco automatic for about the same price. I have owned both, and wish I had either one back so I could get rid of the keyless Cr**p, the drive-by-wire, and the touch screen, and operate the car myself with buttons and knobs..
Next