When did Plymouth and Dodge merge?
They did not merge into a single brand. In 1928, Chrysler acquired the Dodge Brothers and simultaneously launched Plymouth as a separate, budget-friendly marque; both continued as distinct brands under the Chrysler umbrella. In other words, they became part of the same corporate family but did not fuse into one brand.
Background: Dodge and Plymouth before 1928
Dodge began as the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company in the early 20th century and built a reputation for reliable performance. Plymouth, created by the Chrysler organization, was positioned as a low-priced counterpart within the Chrysler family. Both brands operated independently in the market, sharing engineering influence and dealership networks while maintaining separate identities.
The turning point: 1928
What happened in 1928 formed the framework for how Plymouth and Dodge would exist within a single corporate structure for decades. The following items highlight the key moves of that year.
- Chrysler acquired the Dodge Brothers Motor Company, bringing Dodge into the Chrysler corporate family.
- Chrysler introduced the Plymouth brand as a separate, lower-cost marque to broaden the company’s market reach.
- From that point forward, Plymouth and Dodge operated as distinct nameplates under Chrysler, sharing resources but maintaining separate models and branding.
These moves created a corporate arrangement in which Plymouth and Dodge were siblings under one parent company, rather than a single merged brand. That status persisted through various reorganizations and brand decisions over the decades, including Plymouth’s discontinuation in 2001.
Impact and legacy
The 1928 restructuring embedded Plymouth and Dodge within a single corporate ecosystem, enabling Chrysler to target both budget-conscious buyers and enthusiasts through separate brand narratives. Over time, market conditions, corporate strategy, and ownership changes shaped how each brand evolved. Plymouth was ultimately discontinued after the 2001 model year, while Dodge continued as a core Chrysler brand and later as part of a broader corporate group.
Summary
In short, Plymouth and Dodge did not merge into one brand. They became part of the same parent company in 1928 when Chrysler purchased the Dodge Brothers and launched Plymouth as a separate, budget-oriented marque. The two brands remained distinct within Chrysler for decades, with Plymouth ultimately ending production in 2001 while Dodge continued to thrive under the Chrysler umbrella.
What is the oldest car still running?
The oldest car still running is the 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trépardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, nicknamed "La Marquise". This steam-powered vehicle, which took 45 minutes to build up steam, can reach a top speed of 38 mph. It can also travel 20 miles on a 40-gallon tank of water.
- Manufacturer: De Dion, Bouton et Trépardoux
- Year built: 1884
- Fuel: Coal, wood, and paper
- Top speed: 38 mph (61 km/h)
- Seating: Four passengers
- Special features: Single driver-cum-stoker operation
- Note: It has competed in the world's first car race and was the oldest car in the 1996 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
The 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trépardoux is considered the oldest running automobile in the world as of 2011, according to the Guinness World Records.
Why did Chrysler discontinue Plymouth?
Chrysler discontinued the Plymouth brand due to a lack of product differentiation, financial struggles, and a changing market that made multiple, overlapping brands within Chrysler's portfolio inefficient. By the late 1990s, Plymouth models were often just rebadged Dodge or Chrysler vehicles, and by 2001, the brand had been phased out and its last vehicles absorbed by the Chrysler and Dodge lines.
- Lack of unique products: Plymouth began to lack distinct models that set it apart from Dodge, and eventually many of its cars were simply rebadged versions of Dodge or Chrysler vehicles. This made the brand seem redundant within Chrysler's own lineup.
- Financial and market pressures: The automotive market was changing, and the cost of producing and marketing multiple brands was a significant burden, especially as foreign competition grew. Chrysler's financial struggles led them to consolidate their brand portfolio to reduce costs.
- Redundant positioning: Plymouth was originally the value-priced brand, but other brands like Dodge began to fill similar niches, leading to confusion and a decline in Plymouth's sales and brand identity.
- Consolidation: By the late 1990s, the brand's lineup was small, and the decision was made to discontinue it. The last Plymouth, a silver Neon, rolled off the assembly line in June 2001. Some vehicles, like the PT Cruiser, were initially planned as Plymouths but were later branded as Chryslers, which signaled the impending demise of the Plymouth marque.
What was the last car made by Plymouth?
The last Plymouth car was a 2001 Plymouth Neon LX, which rolled off the assembly line on June 28, 2001. The car was a fully-loaded model with a 5-speed manual transmission and was personally ordered by a former DaimlerChrysler executive.
- Model: 2001 Plymouth Neon LX
- Date: June 28, 2001
- Distinguishing features: The final Neon was a fully-loaded model with a silver metallic exterior, black leather interior, sunroof, and a 5-speed manual transmission.
- Buyer: Darrell Davis, a former Senior Vice President for DaimlerChrysler, purchased the car after the brand's demise was announced.
- Legacy: The Plymouth brand was officially discontinued after this final vehicle, with some of its models, like the Prowler and Neon, being re-branded under other Chrysler names.
When did Plymouth become Dodge?
The brand was withdrawn from the marketplace in 2001. The Plymouth models that were produced up until then were either discontinued or rebranded as Chrysler or Dodge.
