Motor 283: Do you think that Dodge’s V8 engine will retain its genes as a muscle car after being electrified?

Stuart: We believe the new electric Charger is still a muscle car; it’s simply the first-ever electric car.

A muscle car’s definition depends on straight-line speed and handling performance. It might sound a bit contradictory when we say there’s an electric sound with a V8 engine, but there’s a special Fratzonic exhaust system that will be available.

Performance-wise, Dodge has always aimed to produce the best-performing cars, the loudest and the fastest. And the new technology enables us to go further. That’s what the new car does, and the new electric car will be faster and more capable than the old one. It’s just different in how people adopt this direction and change their perceptions. We may upset some customers, but can we attract more people to our brand? That’s a question I don’t have an answer to just yet.

Motor 283: I think this could attract new customers, especially those interested in electric vehicles; they want a car that performs well. And as you mentioned, some fans of V8 engines too.

Stuart: They might not be pleased with it; we might not know. Initially, there’s a perception about electric cars, and some people have a hard time changing their impressions and feelings about an experience unless they go through it themselves.

You can’t know how quickly that impression will change, but if the new car is faster and more enjoyable to drive than the current one, I think you’ll be able to convert a lot of people. The main reason we drive a Charger is because, first, it looks great; second, it performs excellently; and third, it provides a good sound experience too. But if we can offer people a car that performs better than the one they used to have, I think that will be very important.

Let’s move on to the Daytona, which will come with a new feature across all models, the “PowerShot” button. Once you press this button, you get an additional 40 horsepower for 15 seconds—like in video games when you press a button for a power boost. This is similar to what happens in Formula 1 or Formula E, where electric energy is stored and then released to boost performance.

I think that when you have these unique enhancements that add extra performance to the car, you might find yourself saying, “I love the V8 sound,” but now I can press a button and get 40 more horsepower, and that’s something amazing.

So yes, it’s different. Also, our customers are constantly changing. Our lifestyles are evolving quickly; for example, the iPhone 16 was recently released, and we always want more from our phones, our technology, and our cars.

Everything depends on integrating new technology and constantly improving things. So, I think Dodge will never stray from the four core principles: looking like a Dodge, sounding like a Dodge, performing like a Dodge, and delivering the unique driving experience that Dodge is known for. As long as we maintain these principles, I hope the new car will succeed as we hope.

In addition to this, we have another engine coming as well, and I think that will be a turning point for us.

Motor 283: Alright, do you think the region is ready for electrification?

Stuart: I think some markets are more prepared than others. For example, Saudi Arabia is an interesting case; the strategic initiatives set by the Saudi government are pushing in this direction, but the biggest challenge is that the geographical distances are very large. You need long driving distances to get anywhere in Saudi Arabia, and the biggest concern about electric cars is range anxiety, where you need to know where to charge the car.

So, Saudi Arabia has the ambition, and our partners in Saudi Arabia are part of a group that is pushing hard for electrification and infrastructure. With government and private investments, I believe we can succeed in our endeavor.

The UAE has good strategies, and the infrastructure is there, though it needs improvement. Qatar is relatively small, and they can invest in this area and develop the infrastructure quickly. So, I think these three countries will push this direction forward.

Some other markets might be a bit behind due to a lack of investment, awareness, or even interest. And I think the pace of modernization will be faster in some markets compared to others. As consumers, we will also contribute to accelerating this change because when people travel to Europe or the United States, they rent electric cars there and experience them. They will want to try the same thing locally, and when they don’t find this option, consumer pressure will start pushing for change.

The situation here is different from Europe, for example, where there were many government incentives and infrastructure investments that led to the change there. But here, there is a need for government and private sector investment in this field for us to have this option. I think in 3 to 5 years, we’ll see a big explosion in electric vehicle sales. We already saw that at the Riyadh Auto Show, where there were many electric brands. We also know that electric commercial vehicles are entering Saudi Arabia. I think consumers in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps in the UAE and some other regions, will be more open to this change.

Motor283: On the topic of electrification, we’ve seen some American brands retreat from electrification and return to internal combustion engines, as well as some German brands. What’s your opinion on this trend? Do you think that the big expansion into electric vehicles is the right path?

Stuart: Looking at Stellantis’ plans for 2030, we have a goal of 100% of new vehicle sales in Europe being electric by 2030 and 50% in North America. But in Europe, the deadline for internal combustion engine production was extended to 2035, and it might be extended further. At Stellantis, we are committed to electrification, even though it’s challenging now due to high development costs and commercial challenges. But we see it as the future direction of the automotive industry. There’s also an environmental pillar in our strategy, as we are committed to any market with environmental legislation such as emissions standards, even if it affects financial performance. From this perspective, we are determined to continue the electric expansion despite some other companies pulling back.

Motor 283: Let me throw in another question here. In my opinion, the shift to electric vehicles was imposed more by regulations than actual market demand, except for certain countries like Norway. Do you think sales will grow if driven only by regulations and not market needs?

Stuart: That’s a very good question. In Scandinavia, the primary drivers for electric car adoption were government tax incentives. Although those incentives have now decreased, the social pressure there pushes people to buy electric cars. In the Middle East, the situation is different; there are no incentives of that kind, so we, as manufacturers, need to produce electric cars that attract people, like offering cars that are fun to drive. The goal is to provide electric cars that are attractive enough for people to want to own them, not because regulations mandate it.

Motor283: I saw the design of the electric “Challenger,” and it looks fantastic.

Stuart: Yes, that’s what we want to offer—unique and diverse driving experiences. In the new “Challenger,” the driving experience will be at its core. There will be features like a 15-second power boost button and driving modes like “Donut” and “Burnout.” This ensures an interactive and engaging experience with the car. If we can offer an electric car with this level of fun and performance, we believe we’ll attract consumers even if they’re not driven by environmental regulations.

So, we need to offer electric cars as products that meet consumer desires and provide a great experience, not just because of regulations, right?

Yes, the reasons for the change should be tied to the product itself, performance, and price—not just compliance with regulations.

Motor283: What you said about Dodge becoming electric convinced me that it will change people’s opinions and perceptions about electric cars. But when we talk about other electric cars, that’s where the challenges come in.

Stuart: Yes. And I think what we’re doing is interesting, as we’re developing brands like Ram and some others at Stellantis. We have two types of technology: BEV, which is a fully electric vehicle, and REV, which are electric vehicle supported by a small gasoline-powered generator. These cars are fully electric but can also use the small gasoline generator if you need charging at any time. You can charge them with electricity if you want, or you can go to a gas station and fill the generator with gasoline. This generator allows the car to remain electric, with recharging depending on your driving style. I think the REV technology will be a good transitional step, especially in our region. Not everyone is fully ready for electric vehicles, especially in Saudi Arabia with long distances. Having an option that combines electricity and gasoline at affordable prices could achieve great success.

Motor283: Which Ram models will have REV technology?

Stuart: From Ram’s perspective, we’ll start with the high-end models in the production line. It will begin with top models like the “Tungsten” and “Limited,” focusing on luxury trucks initially. Over time, we plan to introduce this technology to other models at more affordable prices, offering two choices for consumers: a fully electric vehicle or a range-extended electric vehicle with REV technology, meeting a variety of needs and requirements.

It's good to start by introducing Ram first, to gauge the market response, because I believe that Ram truck users are often those who travel long distances. I think that long-distance driving in trucks is a pleasure in itself.

Motor283: Alright, you also talked about something related to the sound.

Stuart: Yes, some new models have been released, and when they were initially launched with the "Scat Pack" engines, everyone was amazed by the slightly different sound. The latest model I heard sounds more realistic, closer to the traditional sound. But I understand that this technology may not be everyone’s favorite, and I respect that because everyone has their perspective.

Thank you so much, Stuart, this was very insightful and we look forward to a new future with Stellantis.