Is Chrysler owned by Ford?
Chrysler is not owned by Ford. It is part of Stellantis, the multinational automaker created in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group.
Today, Ford Motor Company operates as an independent automaker and has no ownership stake in Chrysler. The question reflects how corporate reorganizations in the global auto industry can blur lines between brands, but the current ownership structure is clear: Chrysler is a Stellantis brand, not a Ford property.
Current Ownership: Who owns Chrysler today?
Chrysler’s corporate parent is Stellantis N.V., a Netherlands-based company formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. As a brand, Chrysler sits alongside other Stellantis marques such as Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel/Vauxhall, and more. Ford, by contrast, remains a separate company with no ownership stake in Chrysler.
Ownership Timeline
Key milestones in Chrysler's ownership history illustrate how the brand ended up under Stellantis, moving through a series of mergers, restructurings, and government-assisted reorganizations.
- 1998–2007: DaimlerChrysler era after the merger of Daimler and Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler AG.
- 2007: Daimler sells the majority stake in DaimlerChrysler to Cerberus Capital Management; the two entities begin a gradual separation.
- 2009: Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; Fiat acquires a stake and becomes a strategic partner to rescue the company; Chrysler emerges under a government-backed restructuring framework.
- 2014: Fiat S.p.A. merges with Chrysler Group to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), making Chrysler a brand within FCA.
- 2021: FCA merges with PSA Group to form Stellantis N.V., with Chrysler becoming a brand within the new multinational conglomerate.
These milestones show how Chrysler transitioned from a standalone automaker to a brand under a global group. Ownership by Ford never occurred at any point in these transitions.
Impact on the Brand and Consumers
As a Stellantis brand, Chrysler shares platforms and procurement with other Stellantis labels while maintaining its own model lineup and dealer network. Ford remains an independent company, operating its own brands and corporate structure. For consumers, the key takeaway is that ownership changes at the corporate level typically influence strategy and operations within the group but do not alter the fundamental status of Chrysler as a Stellantis brand.
Historical context
Chrysler's journey includes the DaimlerChrysler era (1998–2007), a government-facilitated rescue during the bankruptcy period, and eventual integration into FCA before becoming part of Stellantis in 2021. This history contrasts with Ford's long-standing independence since its founding in the early 20th century.
Summary
No, Chrysler is not owned by Ford. Chrysler is a brand under Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed in 2021 from the merger of FCA and PSA Group. Ford operates as an independent company with no ownership stake in Chrysler. The current arrangement follows decades of mergers and restructurings that placed Chrysler within a broader global group rather than under Ford.
