What brand of car is a Dart?
The Dart is not a standalone car brand. It is a model name that has appeared under two different brands in American automotive history—Plymouth in the 1960s–1970s and Dodge in the 2010s. The modern Dodge Dart is no longer in production.
Two eras, two brands
The Dart name has traveled between brands, reflecting changing corporate strategies and market demands over the decades. Understanding where the Dart came from helps distinguish classic muscle-era history from more recent compact-car attempts.
Plymouth era (1960s–1976)
Originally introduced by Plymouth, the Dart was a mid-size model that became a mainstay of the brand during the 1960s and into the mid-1970s. Over its generations, the Dart appeared in various body styles and was positioned as a versatile, affordable car for a broad range of buyers. The Plymouth brand itself disappeared later, with its parent company shuttering Plymouth operations in the early 2000s.
Before diving into the modern version, it helps to note how the Dart fit into Plymouth’s lineup and the broader Chrysler Corporation strategy of the era. The name carried a sporty image for some trim levels and configurations, contributing to the Dart’s cultural footprint as part of 1960s and 1970s American car culture.
- Plymouth
- Dodge (later, for the modern Dart)
Brands that offered a Dart model:
In brief, the Dart began its life under Plymouth and later returned under Dodge, but as a different generation and with a distinct market focus from the original Plymouth versions.
Dodge era (2013–2016)
In the 2010s, Dodge revived the Dart name for a compact sedan built on a Fiat Chrysler platform. The Dodge Dart (model years 2013–2016) was designed to compete in the compact segment with a modern, efficient package. However, sales did not meet expectations, and Dodge ended production of the Dart after the 2016 model year. Since then, there has been no continuous Dodge Dart in regular production, and the Dart name has largely faded from active lineup.
The modern incarnation differed in market positioning and technology from the original Plymouth Darts, reflecting decades of automotive design evolution and Chrysler’s corporate restructuring under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis).
Before and after these periods, the Dart name has functioned as a model badge rather than a brand identifier. For collectors and enthusiasts, the distinction between the Plymouth Dart of the 1960s and the Dodge Dart of the 2010s is a reminder of how car names travel through time and corporate reorganization.
In summary, the Dart is not a brand by itself. It has appeared under two brands—Plymouth in its classic era and Dodge in a later revival—before becoming a discontinued model in the mid-2010s.
Summary
The Dart is a model name that has appeared under Plymouth and Dodge. The original Plymouth Darts were produced from the 1960s into the 1970s, and the modern Dodge Dart ran from 2013 to 2016 before being discontinued. Today, there is no active Dodge Dart, and Plymouth as a brand no longer exists as an independent marque.
