What year did Dodge Brothers become Dodge?
The story of Dodge Brothers is a fascinating journey through the early automotive industry, marked by innovation, competition, and eventual transformation into a household name. This article explores the pivotal year when Dodge Brothers officially became known simply as Dodge, setting the stage for their legacy in American automotive history.
The Founding of Dodge Brothers
Dodge Brothers was founded in 1900 by brothers John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge in Detroit, Michigan. Initially, they started as bicycle manufacturers before transitioning to automobile parts production. Their expertise in precision engineering quickly gained them a reputation for quality, leading them to supply parts for major automobile manufacturers, including Ford.
The Birth of the Dodge Brand
In 1914, the Dodge brothers took a significant step by launching their own automobile brand. The first Dodge vehicle, the Dodge Model 30, was introduced, which featured a powerful engine and innovative design. This marked the beginning of Dodge as a standalone automobile manufacturer.
Becoming Dodge: The Year That Changed Everything
The pivotal year when Dodge Brothers officially became known simply as Dodge was 1928. This transformation occurred after the death of both brothers in 1920 and the subsequent acquisition of the company by Chrysler Corporation. The Chrysler takeover not only solidified Dodge's place in the automotive market but also allowed for greater expansion and innovation under the Dodge name.
Legacy and Impact
Today, Dodge is recognized for its performance vehicles, including the Charger and Challenger, and continues to be a significant player in the automotive industry. The brand's evolution from Dodge Brothers to Dodge reflects the dynamic nature of the automotive world and the enduring legacy of its founders.
Conclusion
The transition from Dodge Brothers to Dodge in 1928 was a crucial moment in automotive history, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the brand. As we look back on this transformation, it is clear that the Dodge legacy continues to thrive, driven by the same spirit of innovation that the brothers embodied over a century ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is RAM not called Dodge anymore?
When Did Dodge and RAM Split? Chrysler acquired Dodge in 1981 and kept their most popular models, including RAM pickup trucks. From 1981 to 2009, their pickup trucks were named “Dodge RAM,”. After 2009, RAM trucks became its own brand.
What year did the Dodge brothers leave Ford?
1913
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.
Why did Dodge stop using the Ram logo?
Dodge and Ram eventually separated into their own entities, and when the truck brand branched out in 2010, they took the ram logo with them. This meant Dodge had to produce a new logo, but the brand decided to do something even better… they produced two!
Who bought Dodge after the Brothers died?
John Dodge died that month, while Horace passed away later that same year, on December 10. In 1925, the brothers' widows sold the Dodge Brothers Company to an investment bank for $146 million. In 1928, Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation, purchased the Dodge company for $170 million.
Why is Dodge RAM now just RAM?
The Ram, Jeep, Dodge, SRT and Chrysler divisions were separated to focus on their own identity and brands. Ram Trucks was established as a division of Chrysler in 2010, as a spin-off from Dodge, and using the name of the Dodge Ram line of pickups that is now sold under the Ram banner.
Why did RAM drop Dodge's name?
So, why did Chrysler break up these two brands? This process allowed for more focused development of new models. Dodge created the Dodge Challenger to compete with the Chevy Corvette sports car, while the RAM lineup could focus on creating more powerful engines and more resilient builds for Spanaway jobs.
Did the Dodge brothers build engines for Ford?
Henry Ford was very impressed with the Dodge Brothers' operation and offered them a one-tenth interest in his newly formed Ford Motor Company. The condition was that they had to equip their manufacturing business to build Ford engines and parts exclusively.
Who bought Dodge after the brothers died?
John Dodge died that month, while Horace passed away later that same year, on December 10. In 1925, the brothers' widows sold the Dodge Brothers Company to an investment bank for $146 million. In 1928, Walter Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation, purchased the Dodge company for $170 million.
Who makes Ram engines?
Chrysler maintained production of the engines up until Stellantis took the helm in 2021, producing the Ram series in full—from the light-duty 1500 all the way up to the heavy-duty 3500. The only other company responsible for making Ram engines is Cummins, which is known for its diesel power plants.
When did the Dodge brothers become Dodge?
The year was 1914. Dodge Brothers finally became a fully-fledged car company. The brothers pushed their first model off of production lines during November that year and the rest is history.
