Did the Dodge Brothers work for Ford?
No, the Dodge brothers did not work for Ford. The Dodge brothers, John and Horace Dodge, were founders of the Dodge automobile company, which was a rival to Ford Motor Company.
The Dodge Brothers' Background
John and Horace Dodge were skilled machinists and engineers who had previously worked for the Olds Motor Vehicle Company and the Ford Motor Company in the early 1900s. However, they left Ford in 1914 to start their own automobile company, Dodge Brothers, Inc. > The Dodge brothers used their expertise and experience gained from working at other automakers to design and manufacture their own line of vehicles.
Founding of Dodge Brothers, Inc.
In 1914, John and Horace Dodge established Dodge Brothers, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan. They quickly gained a reputation for building high-quality, durable automobiles that were popular with consumers. The Dodge brothers' cars competed directly with the Ford Model T, which was the dominant vehicle on the market at the time.
Rivalry with Ford Motor Company
The Dodge brothers' decision to leave Ford and start their own company created a fierce rivalry between Dodge Brothers, Inc. and Ford Motor Company. The two automakers competed for market share and technological innovations throughout the 1910s and 1920s. While Ford focused on mass production and affordability, Dodge emphasized quality, performance, and a more premium product lineup.
Conclusion
In summary, the Dodge brothers were never employed by Ford Motor Company. They were former Ford employees who left to establish their own successful automobile company, Dodge Brothers, Inc., which became a major competitor to Ford in the early 20th century automotive industry.
Did Dodge make engines for Ford?
Dodge Brothers, Horace and John, owned a Detroit machine shop and were the source of most Ford-designed engines for several years. At that time they were also stockholders in Ford. Later Henry bought them out and beginning in 1916 the Dodges built their own car in competition with Ford.
When did Dodge split from Ford?
In 1914, the brothers decided it was time to part ways with Ford and introduce their own car. The first Dodge vehicle, built on an all-steel body (the first of its kind), left the plant on Nov. 14, 1914, and by the end of the year, 249 Dodge vehicles were built.
What happened between the Dodge brothers and Henry Ford?
Ford Motor slashed its dividend in 1916 and minority stockholders—the Dodge brothers—successfully sued Ford Motor Company for a big dividend payout. Ford had justified skipping the dividend because he sought to do well for employees and America's car buyers, with corporate profits a secondary motivation.
Who owns Dodge now?
StellantisDodge / Parent organization
In 2014, Fiat completed the acquisition and formed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). FCA later merged with Peugeot Invest and formed a new entity called Stellantis in 2021. Today, Stellantis owns multiple major auto brands, including Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Opel, Maserati, Citroen, and Peugeot.
Did Ford work with the Dodge brothers?
When Henry Ford started his automotive company in 1903, he partnered with a pair of fiery, bar-brawling brothers named John and Horace Dodge. The two machinists became integral to turning Ford into an industry magnate. They even attended his son's wedding in 1916.
Did the Dodge brothers design the Model T?
Up until 1913, the Model T was essentially an assembled car, with most of its mechanical parts, including the engine, transmission and chassis being supplied by the Dodge Brothers.
