Over Half a Million HEMI V8s Sold in North America Since 2002 Debut

Chrysler Creates Fourth Brand with Popular HEMI

That thing got a HEMI? The catchy slogan is now part of North America's street slang, doing its part in creating what many

Thanks to clever marketing and a solid product, Chrysler has made the phrase "That Thing got a HEMI?" part of North America's lexicon. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

market analysts consider the automotive sector's newest brand, and Chrysler Group's fourth.

What Chrysler has done for the domestic auto industry, along with showing how a relatively straight forward overhead valve V8 engine with hemispherical heads, sophisticated cylinder deactivation technology, massive horsepower, and fabulous marketing can rejuvenate an automaker, is brought hope back to its rivals that it's possible to compete and conquest buyers away from Asian and German brands.

First offered in 2003 model year Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty pickup trucks, the HEMI

The engine's popularity has been staggering, with a large percentage of buyers opting for the HEMI powerplant. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

is now available in the Ram 1500, the aforementioned 300C and Magnum RT, as well as the Dodge Durango SUV and now, for the first time, the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The engine's popularity has been staggering, with more than 43 percent of Ram buyers opting for the top-line V8, 31 percent of 300 and Magnum buyers, 34 percent of Jeep Grand Cherokee purchasers and an astounding 61 percent of Dodge Durango customers making the leap to HEMI-power. In the U.S. the HEMI take-rate is 46 percent on the Dodge Ram, 43 percent on the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum, 29 percent on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 54 percent on the Dodge Durango.