Dodge CEO Opens Up About New Charger Sixpack, Company’s Plans
As Dodge celebrated the official start of production of the 2026 Charger Sixpack Scat Pack at the Windsor assembly plant in Ontario on Tuesday, The Car Guide got the opportunity to speak with CEO Matt McAlear to discuss this new addition to the lineup, among other things.
In case you missed the news, the first units of Dodge’s next-generation, gasoline-powered, two-door muscle car—featuring the 550-horsepower, high-output version of the twin-turbo six-cylinder Hurricane engine—will arrive at dealerships later in December.
- Also: Gas-Powered 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Enters Production in Windsor
- Also: 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack: Putting Agility to the Test
Sometime during the first quarter of 2026, the company will follow up with production of the entry-level Charger Sixpack R/T coupe (with a standard-output Hurricane delivering 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque), for which ordering has now started, as well as four-door Charger Sixpack sedans in both R/T and Scat Pack trim.
Before we get to what McAlear had to say, here’s a bit more context: Dodge sold 575 units of the battery-powered Charger Daytona in Canada during the first three quarters of 2025, but the brand's total sales fell by 8% compared to the same period in 2024. Fortunately for Dodge, its best-selling model, the very old Durango, posted a 15% increase.
The Car Guide (CG): Other factories in Ontario have recently lost some or all of their existing or future production, such as Brampton losing the next-generation Jeep Compass, so keeping the Dodge Charger in Windsor, despite tariffs, is a big deal. Still, should workers be concerned?
Matt McAlear (MM): We are very proud of our 100-year relationship with Canada and this plant in particular. The fact that we will be adding a third shift in early 2026, increasing the total number of employees from approximately 5,000 to 6,500, is a testament to the quality of the car and the work done on the assembly line in Windsor. We are committed to meeting demand not only for the Charger, but also for Chrysler minivans. From Dodge's standpoint, and Stellantis’ in general, Canada is an important partner that we’re looking forward to working with every day for the next 100 years.
CG: With the end of federal incentives on both sides of the border, demand will inevitably shift from the Charger Daytona to the Charger Sixpack. How do you envision the sales mix for 2026, particularly in Canada?
MM: Obviously, in the short term, many of our customers will migrate towards the new gasoline models. Call it good planning, being smart or just luck, but what separates us from other vehicles in the industry is that we can easily meet demand with a single, flexible platform on the same assembly line. Who knows how the electric vehicle market will evolve, even in the next year? Regardless, we'll be ready to deliver the kind of cars and powertrains customers are looking for.
CG: You've dropped the Charger Daytona R/T, which was the cheaper of the two electric models, for the 2026 model year due to tariffs. Can you elaborate on this decision?
MM: We looked at the entire lineup and repositioned the models in order to have the right value for the performance. We believe the new 420-horsepower Charger Sixpack R/T, at under $60,000 (MSRP), will appeal to those who want a lot of power at a reasonable price. But as I said earlier, we have a flexible platform and the ability to adapt quickly, so while the Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for now, if demand justifies its return in a year, we can bring it back just as easily.
CG: Let's get back to the gasoline-powered Charger. The six-cylinder Hurricane engine is certainly a logical choice, but many people are wondering if and when a HEMI V8 will return under the hood. The recently introduced Charger Hustle Stuff Drag Pak race car has shown that it's technically possible. What can you tell us about that?
MM: As you know, I’m not allowed to comment on speculation or future products. What I can tell you is that we're continuously looking for ways to evolve. And if the past is any indication of the future, and history tends to repeat itself, there are many good things in store at Dodge.
CG: Conversely, could we see Dodge launch an affordable sports car, something more compact and more agile than the Charger, in the coming years?
MM: You know, the need to offer more affordable products, to be more competitive under $30,000 and $40,000 (USD), is something that all Stellantis brands in North America recognize and are working on. From Dodge's perspective, nothing would be better than to offer entry-level performance. We're aware of this and we have some cool things in the works.
CG: The Charger is one of three finalists for the 2026 North American Car of the Year award. What do you think of that, and are you confident in its chances of winning?
MM: I'll avoid the word "confident," but I'm extremely hopeful that it will win. The entire team is proud of that car, from our designers to our engineers to the workers who assemble it here in Windsor. I have a feeling with this car that we're going to have an incredible 2026. By the end of Q1, people will walk into dealer lots and find two-door and four-door Chargers with 420, 550 or 670 horsepower. All that choice is truly exciting.
CG: What is the one thing you appreciate most about the new Charger?
MM: Definitely the standard all-wheel drive, with the ability to activate rear-wheel drive mode and send all the power to the rear wheels when needed. I live in the Detroit area, and the weather is a bit like Canada's, but I don't even think twice about it when I take the car to go skiing in northern Michigan or take a trip to Toronto or Montreal. The new Charger isn't just a niche car or a complement to an SUV. It's a vehicle that can absolutely be used as a daily driver, and that's what I like most about it.
CG: Finally, what's the latest with the Hornet? Imports of the 2026 model have been postponed in Canada and the U.S. due to tariffs. Does it still have a future?
MM: Yeah, that model is still on pause due to several external factors. We continue to explore our options, to see if there's a way to bring it back that makes sense from a business case standpoint, but unfortunately, there's nothing more I can tell you at this time beyond the fact that it’s paused.