Was Dodge part of Ford?
No. Dodge was never part of Ford. It started as an independent company founded by the Dodge brothers and was later acquired by Chrysler in 1928; today it operates as a brand under Stellantis.
This article traces the origins of the Dodge brand, explains its early relationship with Ford, describes how Dodge came to be part of Chrysler, and outlines its current status within the global automaker landscape.
Origins of the Dodge brand
The Dodge brand began with the Dodge brothers in Detroit, who built a reputation as engineers and suppliers in the early automotive era. After years of supplying parts to Ford, Horace and John Dodge established their own company and began producing vehicles under the Dodge name in the 1910s.
Founders and early years
Horace and John Dodge were prominent Detroit manufacturers who supplied Ford for years. When they decided to pursue independent manufacturing, they formed the Dodge Brothers Company and introduced their own line of cars, laying the groundwork for a distinct Dodge brand separate from Ford.
Product focus
The early Dodge cars were marketed as sturdy, reliable everyday vehicles, helping the new brand gain a foothold in a competitive U.S. market.
Relation to Ford: a supplier, not a parent company
A central element of this history is the relationship between Ford and Dodge. While the Dodge brothers were key suppliers and held significant shares in Ford at various times, Dodge never became a division of Ford. The two brands operated independently, sharing a place in Detroit's evolving auto industry.
Shared history and separation
Ford benefited from the Dodge supply chain, and the Dodge brothers pursued independent ownership and control. Ultimately, differences over management and direction led Dodge to chart its own course, reinforcing its status as a separate automaker rather than a Ford subsidiary.
Becoming part of Chrysler
In 1928, Chrysler purchased the assets of the Dodge Brothers Company, establishing Dodge as a marque within Chrysler. This marked the end of Dodge's status as an independent automaker and began a long association with Chrysler's corporate structure.
Acquisition details
Chrysler's acquisition consolidated Dodge as a core brand in its lineup, a move that shaped the brand's trajectory for decades and linked it to Chrysler's broader corporate strategy.
Today: Dodge under Stellantis
Following a wave of mergers that reshaped the global auto industry, Dodge is today a brand within Stellantis, the multinational group formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. Dodge continues to produce its well-known models, including performance-oriented cars and SUVs.
Current status
Under Stellantis, Dodge remains a distinct brand with a continued focus on performance-oriented vehicles, while no longer being tied to Ford in any corporate sense.
Key milestones in Dodge’s corporate journey include its origins as an independent automaker, its 1928 acquisition by Chrysler, and the later mergers that brought Dodge into Stellantis. These milestones reflect a business arc from independence to integration within larger automotive groups.
- Origins: Dodge Brothers Company forms and begins producing its own vehicles in the 1910s, after years as Ford suppliers.
- 1928: Chrysler acquires the Dodge Brothers Company assets; Dodge becomes a Chrysler marque.
- 1998: Chrysler merges with Daimler to form DaimlerChrysler, shaping Dodge’s corporate backdrop within a larger group.
- 2009: Chrysler files for bankruptcy and is restructured; Dodge remains a core brand under the reorganized company.
- 2014: Fiat/Chrysler merger results in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA); Dodge continues under the FCA umbrella.
- 2021: Stellantis forms from the merger of FCA and PSA Group; Dodge becomes a brand within Stellantis and continues its production focus.
In summary, the Dodge brand has always been separate from Ford in terms of corporate ownership. The relationship between Dodge and Ford was historical and operational rather than a parent-subsidiary arrangement. Dodge’s fate moved from independence to Chrysler, and today it sits under Stellantis, distinct from Ford.
Common questions clarified
The following points address frequent misconceptions about Dodge and Ford:
- Dodge was never owned by Ford; its early ties were as suppliers and shareholders, not as a subsidiary.
- The Dodge brothers pursued independent manufacturing and later formed the Dodge Brothers Company, which became part of Chrysler in 1928.
- Today, Dodge operates as a brand under Stellantis, with no corporate connection to Ford.
These clarifications highlight that the historical link between Dodge and Ford was primarily about early collaboration and competition, not a lasting corporate ownership connection.
Summary
Conclusion: Dodge is not part of Ford. It originated as an independent company founded by the Dodge brothers, was acquired by Chrysler in 1928, and now exists as a brand within Stellantis. The two brands share a historical proximity in Detroit’s automotive history, but Ford has never owned Dodge.
What is the relationship between Ford and Dodge?
For ten years (1903--1913), the Dodge brothers' business was a Ford Motor Company supplier, and Dodge worked as vice president of the Ford company. He left Ford in 1913, and in 1914 he and Horace formed Dodge Brothers to develop their own line of automobiles.
What brands has Ford owned?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln automotive brands, along with the Motorcraft auto parts brand. The company also owns Troller, a Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer, and operates numerous subsidiaries for services like automotive finance through Ford Motor Credit Company. While it once owned Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, these were sold off, and its stake in Aston Martin was sold in 2020.
Current brands
- Ford: The original and primary brand, offering a wide range of vehicles, from cars and trucks to SUVs.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury vehicle division.
- Troller: A Brazilian manufacturer of off-road vehicles.
- Motorcraft: A brand of auto parts and service.
Other assets
- Ford Motor Credit Company: Provides automotive financing services.
- Subsidiaries: Ford owns various international subsidiaries in countries like Canada, Brazil, China, and Australia.
- Joint Ventures: Ford has joint ventures, such as a 50/50 partnership in China with Changan Ford.
Previously owned brands
- Mercury: Discontinued in 2010.
- Jaguar and Land Rover: Sold to Tata Motors.
- Volvo: Sold to the Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
- Aston Martin: Ford sold its stake in 2020, and the brand is now controlled by other investors.
Is Dodge owned by Ford?
No, Ford does not own Dodge; Dodge is owned by Stellantis, the multinational automotive group formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group. While the Dodge brothers initially supplied parts to and partnered with Henry Ford, they later started their own car company in 1914, and the two brands have been separate ever since.
- Dodge's current owner: Stellantis owns Dodge, along with other brands like Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram.
- Historical connection to Ford: The Dodge brothers were partners and suppliers to the early Ford Motor Company, providing parts for its vehicles.
- Break from Ford: The brothers eventually left to start their own automobile company, and in 1919, the Dodge brothers sold their stock back to Ford, cementing their separation.
- Path to Stellantis: The Dodge brand was later sold to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928 and remained with Chrysler through various ownership changes before becoming part of Stellantis after the FCA-PSA Group merger.
When did Dodge split from Ford?
1914
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.
