Chrysler's sales of the Viper are up 111 percent through July to 682 vehicles over 323 vehicles in the first seven months of 2007 -- but it is a tiny fraction of the company's total sales. A company spokesman noted Chrysler had sold more than 150,000 Dodge Ram pickups during the same period. 'Viper is an integral part of this Company's heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle,' Nardelli said. The V-10 Viper is hand-built in a low-volume, modular process at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit. The vehicle was introduced as a concept vehicle at the 1989 Detroit auto show. It was first available as a production vehicle in the 1992 model year. Chrysler sold its 25,000th Viper in March -- an SRT10 presented by Nardelli to NASCAR driver Kurt Busch at the plant. The Dodge Viper gets 16 miles to the gallon has a zero-to-60 time of 3.5 seconds. You can reach David Shepardson at (202) 662 - 8735 or [email protected].