Did Chrysler buy Dodge?
Yes. Chrysler purchased the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company in 1928, bringing the Dodge brand under Chrysler’s umbrella. Today, Dodge remains a brand within Stellantis, the global automaker formed by the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group.
Historical context: the Dodge brothers and early automotive industry
The Dodge brothers, John F. Dodge and Horace E. Dodge, founded their company in the early 1900s to supply parts to the burgeoning automobile industry. They eventually moved into building their own cars around 1914, debuting models such as the Dodge Model 30. The brothers’ success helped establish Dodge as a major U.S. automaker during the prewar era, though both brothers died in 1920, leaving the company to its heirs and stakeholders.
Origins of Dodge and its early lineup
Starting in the 1910s, Dodge shifted from parts manufacturing to producing automobiles, helping to expand mass production and competing with other early automakers. The company’s cars gained a reputation for durability and value, setting the stage for future corporate changes.
The 1928 acquisition
The following key points summarize the 1928 deal and its immediate consequences for both companies.
- The purchase occurred in 1928, when Chrysler Corporation acquired the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company.
- Price was reported in the vicinity of about $170 million in Chrysler stock, a substantial sum at the time.
- Chrysler gained ownership of the Dodge name, its manufacturing facilities, and the Dodge automobile lineup, integrating Dodge as a major brand under Chrysler.
- The deal helped Chrysler rapidly expand its product range and production capacity, positioning the combined company to compete more effectively with Ford and GM.
In the aftermath, Dodge operated as a distinct brand within the Chrysler organization, contributing to the strength of the automaker’s broader lineup for decades to come.
After the purchase: the Dodge brand through the Chrysler era
Following the 1928 purchase, Dodge continued as a core brand within Chrysler. Over the years, Dodge evolved with the broader corporate shifts—first as part of Chrysler Corporation, then as Chrysler faced mergers and restructurings, and later as part of a global automotive group. The brand kept its distinctive identity and model names, contributing to Chrysler’s competitiveness in a changing market.
- Throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, Dodge maintained its reputation for durable, value-oriented vehicles and performance models.
- Corporate restructurings in the late 20th and early 21st centuries culminated in the creation of DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007), then FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) in 2014, and finally Stellantis in 2021.
- Despite these changes, the Dodge brand remained a key part of the product lineup and brand portfolio within the evolving corporate structure.
The 1928 acquisition thus set the trajectory for Dodge to remain a long-standing automobile brand, even as the parent company’s corporate form shifted through the decades.
Today: Dodge within Stellantis
In the contemporary automotive landscape, Dodge operates as a prominent brand under Stellantis, the multinational automaker created by the 2021 merger of FCA and PSA Group. Dodge is known for performance-oriented models and a range of SUVs and muscle-car heritage, continuing to punch above its weight in the competitive U.S. market.
- Brand status: Dodge is one of Stellantis’ longstanding brands, retained after corporate consolidation.
- Product focus: The lineup emphasizes performance, muscle cars, and SUVs, maintaining a distinct identity from other Stellantis brands.
- Corporate context: The Dodge brand’s legacy traces back to the Dodge Brothers and the 1928 acquisition, with Dodge operating under Stellantis alongside other key brands like Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler.
In short, Chrysler did acquire Dodge in 1928, and the Dodge name continues to exist today as a vital brand under Stellantis, reflecting nearly a century of corporate history and automotive culture.
Summary
Chrysler did buy Dodge in 1928, acquiring the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company and folding Dodge into Chrysler as a major brand. Since then, the Dodge brand has persisted through multiple corporate restructurings and today sits within Stellantis, continuing to shape its performance-oriented identity while contributing to the broader lineup of the global automaker.
What company owns Chrysler now?
Chrysler is now owned by Stellantis, an international automotive conglomerate formed from the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. Chrysler, along with other FCA brands like Dodge, Jeep, and Ram, became part of Stellantis, which is headquartered in the Netherlands and lists its ticker on the New York Stock Exchange as STLA.
- Formation: Stellantis was created when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) merged with PSA Group (owner of Peugeot) in January 2021.
- Brands under Stellantis: The new company oversees numerous brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, and Maserati.
- Current structure: Stellantis North America operates as the American subsidiary of this multinational company, with its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Why is RAM not Dodge anymore?
Ram is not a Dodge anymore because it was spun off into a separate brand in 2009 to allow Dodge to focus on performance cars and Ram to concentrate on trucks. This strategic move created two distinct brands with their own identities and product lines, allowing each to better cater to its specific customer base. Dodge now focuses on muscle cars and other performance vehicles, while Ram specializes in trucks and commercial vans.
- Clarified brand identity: The split was a strategic move to create a clear distinction between a performance-oriented brand (Dodge) and a truck-focused brand (Ram).
- Focused product development: This allowed each brand to dedicate its resources and research to its core market, leading to more specialized and competitive products.
- Targeted customers: Ram now focuses on "real truck customers" who need capability and power, while Dodge targets a different demographic interested in its performance vehicles.
- Leadership and structure: Separate leadership was appointed for each brand to own its success and steer its future, with Fred Diaz Jr. leading Ram and Ralph Gilles leading Dodge after the 2009 split.
Who bought Dodge after the Dodge Brothers died?
Walter Chrysler
John Dodge died that month, while Horace passed away later that same year, on December 10. In 1925, the brothers' widows sold the Dodge Brothers Company to an investment bank for $146 million. In 1928, Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation, purchased the Dodge company for $170 million.
Does Chrysler own Dodge?
Chrysler is not Dodge, and Chrysler does not own the Dodge brand. Chrysler and Dodge have a parent company called Stellantis. Under the Chrysler and Dodge parent company, Stellantis, you'll find other popular makes such as Jeep and RAM.
