In a significant accolade for Ontario's automotive manufacturing, the Windsor-built Dodge Charger has been awarded the prestigious title of Vehicle of the Year by The Detroit News. This honour highlights the continued excellence emerging from the Windsor Assembly Plant.
A Major Win for Local Manufacturing
The award specifically recognizes the Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat Pack, a high-performance variant powered by the SIXPACK engine. This victory arrives at a pivotal moment, as the local auto industry navigates a landscape often marked by protectionist rhetoric from U.S. political figures targeting vehicles assembled outside the United States.
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear celebrated the recognition in a news release. He stated that the all-new Charger was engineered to meet the demanding expectations for bold styling and exhilarating performance that define the Dodge brand, and this award confirms the team's success.
Powertrain Flexibility and Further Accolades
McAlear emphasized the flexibility of the new Charger lineup, which offers customers a choice between traditional internal combustion engines and new electrified powertrains. This approach allows buyers to select their preferred driving experience while staying true to the muscle car ethos.
Production of the gas-powered Charger models commenced at the Windsor facility earlier in December 2025. Since its launch, the next-generation muscle car has accumulated several more prestigious honours.
Notably, the Charger was also named Car of the Year by the influential automotive publication TopGear. Furthermore, it has secured a place as one of three finalists for the highly coveted North American Car of the Year award.
Looking Ahead to the Detroit Auto Show
The winner of the North American Car of the Year award will be unveiled next month at the Detroit Auto Show. The event is scheduled to run from January 14 through January 25, 2026, at Huntington Place in Detroit.
This series of awards solidifies the Windsor-built Charger's position as a standout in the competitive automotive market, bringing positive attention and validation to the skilled workforce and manufacturing capabilities in Windsor, Ontario.
