Did Dodge own Ford?
No. Dodge did not own Ford. The two brands are separate automakers with intertwined early history, but Ford Motor Company has never owned the Dodge brand or company. Today, Dodge is a brand within Stellantis, while Ford remains an independent automaker.
Historical relationship between Dodge and Ford
Origins of Ford and Dodge
The Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, became a dominant force in mass production. The Dodge brothers—John and Horace Dodge—founded their own company in 1900 and soon became important suppliers to Ford, contributing parts and manufacturing expertise that helped Ford scale its operations in the early years. The two firms operated in the same Detroit ecosystem, shaping the city’s rise as an automotive capital.
From collaboration to corporate ownership
In the years that followed, the Dodge brothers built their own car company and eventually launched the Dodge brand as a separate manufacturer. The two brands remained closely linked through supplier relationships and competitive dynamics, but neither ever owned the other. In 1928, the assets of the Dodge Brothers Company were acquired by Chrysler, establishing the Dodge brand under Chrysler’s umbrella. Ford, meanwhile, continued to operate independently as a separate automaker. The Dodge brand would later become part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and, after FCA’s merger, Stellantis. Ford remains independently owned and publicly traded.
Milestones in this history illustrate the key point: Dodge did not own Ford. The early Detroit relationship influenced both companies, but ownership stayed distinct, with Dodge eventually becoming part of Chrysler and, today, Stellantis, while Ford remained autonomous.
Below is a concise timeline of the most relevant milestones in the Dodge–Ford intersection.
Key milestones in the Dodge–Ford history:
- The Dodge brothers begin as important suppliers to Ford, aiding early mass-production efforts in Detroit.
- The Dodge brothers eventually form Dodge Brothers Company and launch their own automobiles, establishing a separate brand.
- In 1928, Chrysler acquires the assets of the Dodge Brothers Company, creating the Dodge brand under Chrysler.
- Over the decades, the Dodge brand remains under Chrysler, which later becomes part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and then Stellantis in 2021.
These milestones show that Dodge did not own Ford; rather, the two brands evolved in parallel, with Dodge ultimately joining Chrysler and, today, Stellantis, while Ford stayed independent.
Ownership today
Dodge’s current ownership
Today, Dodge is a brand owned by Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group in 2021. The Dodge lineup operates within Stellantis North America.
Current ownership snapshot: Dodge is part of Stellantis; Ford is not owned by Dodge and operates independently under the Ford Motor Company.
Ford’s current ownership
Ford Motor Company remains an independent, publicly traded company (NYSE: F). It owns the Ford and Lincoln brands and does not own Dodge or Stellantis. While the two companies may collaborate on partnerships or supplier arrangements, there is no ownership relationship.
In short, while Dodge and Ford have a shared chapter in early automotive history, Dodge did not and does not own Ford. Ownership today places Dodge in Stellantis and Ford as a separate, standalone automaker.
Summary
The short answer is clear: Dodge did not own Ford. The two brands originated in the same industrial milieu and intersected early in Detroit's auto industry, with the Dodge Brothers supplying Ford before creating their own brand. Dodge later became part of Chrysler, and after the 2021 Stellantis formation, remains under Stellantis, while Ford has continued as an independent automaker. Understanding this distinction clarifies the corporate lineage of both brands and their current ownership structures.
