What year did the Dodge D50 come out?
The Dodge D50 name has appeared on two distinct trucks in Dodge's history: an early D-Series half-ton pickup introduced with the 1961 lineup, and a later compact pickup sourced from Mitsubishi that debuted around 1979. Both vehicles share the D50 badge but belong to very different segments and eras.
In this article, we outline when each version came to market and how they fit into Dodge's broader truck strategy.
First era: D-Series D50 (early 1960s)
Introduction to the D-Series
In 1961, Dodge rolled out a redesigned light-duty truck lineup known as the D-Series. The D50 designation was used on the smaller half-ton variant within that family, marking the badge's first appearance in the D-Series era.
Key milestones:
- 1961 model year: The D-Series debuts, with the D50 badge applied to the half-ton model.
This established the D50 as part of Dodge's traditional full-size pickup naming in the early 1960s.
Second era: Mitsubishi-based D50 (late 1970s)
Introduction in North America
Decades later, Dodge revived the D50 name for a compact pickup sourced from Mitsubishi. It was introduced for the 1979 model year, reflecting a shift toward smaller, more economical trucks in Dodge's lineup.
Key milestones:
- 1979 model year: The compact D50 debuts in North America as a Mitsubishi-built Dodge pickup.
This iteration of the D50 demonstrates how the badge was used again for a different market segment and partnership.
Summary
In short, the Dodge D50 does not refer to a single model year. The name originated with the 1961 D-Series lineup as a half-ton variant, and it was later reused for a Mitsubishi-built compact pickup that appeared around 1979. Each era reflects Dodge's evolving truck strategy and the badge's adaptability to different markets.
