Is Plymouth made by Ford?
In short, no. Plymouth was not made by Ford. Plymouth was a Chrysler brand, created in 1928 and later discontinued in 2001. Ford Motor Company is a separate automaker and has never owned Plymouth.
Plymouth was launched by the Chrysler Corporation in 1928 as a lower-priced line to complement Dodge and DeSoto. Over the decades, the brand developed its own identity with notable models and, by the late 20th century, largely shared platforms with Chrysler Group brands. Ford, meanwhile, has operated independently and has never owned or produced Plymouth-branded vehicles. Chrysler’s brand portfolio and corporate structure evolved into Stellantis in 2021, but Plymouth remains defunct.
Historical context of Plymouth within Chrysler
Origins and ownership
Below is a concise overview of Plymouth’s development as a Chrysler marque and how it fit into the automaker’s lineup over time.
- 1928 — Plymouth is introduced by Chrysler as a lower-priced brand to broaden its market reach.
- 1960s–1970s — Plymouth develops memorable models such as the Barracuda (1964) and the Road Runner (1968), boosting its performance image.
- 1990s — Plymouth largely relies on rebadged Dodge products; the Neon (introduced in 1994) becomes a defining compact model.
- 2001 — Chrysler discontinues the Plymouth brand; remaining models are folded into Dodge/Chrysler lineups.
These milestones illustrate Plymouth’s evolution under Chrysler and its eventual phase-out in the early 2000s.
Common questions about Plymouth and Ford
Ownership and brand confusion
Below are quick clarifications that address frequent misconceptions about Plymouth and Ford.
- No — Plymouth was never owned or manufactured by Ford; it was a brand created and run by Chrysler.
- Timeline — Plymouth existed from 1928 until it was discontinued in 2001, after which its former models were absorbed into other Chrysler brands.
- Current status — There are no active Plymouth models today; the brand remains part of automotive history within Stellantis' corporate lineage.
- Relation to Ford — Ford and Plymouth are separate automakers; Ford has its own lineup (Ford and Lincoln) and has never produced Plymouth vehicles.
In short, Plymouth is a defunct Chrysler marque, and Ford has no ownership or production ties to Plymouth today.
Summary
Plymouth was created by the Chrysler Corporation in 1928 and existed as a distinct brand until its discontinuation in 2001. It was never a Ford product, and Ford has never owned Plymouth. Today, Plymouth remains a historical marque under Stellantis, with no active vehicles bearing the Plymouth name. The story underscores the competitive landscape of American automakers, where Plymouth remained a Chrysler-era brand until its retirement in the early 2000s.
Why were Plymouth cars discontinued?
The brand became overshadowed by its sibling brands within Chrysler, failing to offer unique features or designs that set it apart. Moreover, the company's financial struggles and inability to keep up with evolving market demands ultimately led to Plymouth's discontinuation in 2001.
What brands are owned by Ford?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln brands, along with the Motorcraft auto parts brand. In the past, Ford also owned brands like Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, but has since sold them or discontinued them.
Currently owned brands
- Ford: The company's main brand, offering a wide range of vehicles worldwide.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury vehicle division.
- Motorcraft: A brand that sells auto parts.
- Troller: A Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer that Ford acquired in 2007.
Formerly owned brands
- Mercury: A mid-priced brand that Ford discontinued in 2011.
- Jaguar: Sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Land Rover: Also sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Volvo: Sold to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010.
Who is Plymouth owned by?
The Plymouth car brand is no longer in production, but the intellectual property is owned by Stellantis, the company that owns Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep. Stellantis was formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group. Since 2001, Stellantis and its predecessors have owned the Plymouth trademark, which is not currently being used to produce new vehicles.
- Original owner: Plymouth was originally a brand of the Chrysler Corporation, created to offer affordable cars.
- DaimlerChrysler: The brand was eventually discontinued by DaimlerChrysler in 2001.
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA): The assets, including the Plymouth trademark, were passed to FCA.
- Stellantis: FCA then merged with PSA Group to form Stellantis, and the company now owns the Plymouth trademark.
Was Plymouth a Ford company?
Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler. The brand was launched in 1928 to compete in what was then described as the "low-priced" market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. It became a high-volume seller for the automaker until the late 1990s.
