Wolfe raises a valid point, though. Gas prices will not kill the Viper, but they may well impact sales negatively. A new, independent company would have to build up an entirely new sales channel, and high oil prices mean less people buying Vipers, which means new entrants are less inclined to want to establish new channels.
Unless Chrysler allows Vipers to be sold through Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealerships, in which case "sales channels" become a moot point... that would make Viper a very interesting offer, I think.