In an astonishing move, Chrysler Group LLC has announced that it would not sell off its V-10 powered Dodge Viper sports car business and would carry on manufacturing and selling Dodge Vipers.

Earlier in August 2008, Chrysler, the producer of Viper, a high-priced limited production performance car, had put the Viper business up for sale.

CEO of the Dodge brand, Michael Accavitti, said, "We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader of the Dodge brand."

Viper, which starts at about $90,000, possesses a massive 8.4-liter, 600 horsepower V-10 engine.

Chrysler claims the Viper pick up 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.

Viper has sold around 25,000 cars since 1992, the year it was launched.

The Chrysler Group that recently emerged from bankruptcy is jointly owned by Fiat, the U. S. govt., the United Auto Workers union's retiree trust and the Canadian and Ontario governments.