When did they stop making Dodge Darts?
The Dodge Dart, a compact car that was once a staple of American roads, ceased production in 1976. The Dart had a long and storied history, but by the mid-1970s, it had fallen out of favor with consumers and was ultimately discontinued.
The Rise and Fall of the Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart first debuted in 1960 as a compact car that was intended to compete with the popular Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Corvair. Over the years, the Dart went through several redesigns and model changes, but it remained a popular choice for many American drivers.
However, by the mid-1970s, the Dart was facing increasing competition from smaller, more fuel-efficient imports, as well as from Dodge's own line of compact cars, such as the Dodge Aspen. As a result, sales of the Dart began to decline, and Dodge ultimately decided to discontinue the model in 1976.
The Final Years of the Dodge Dart
The final years of the Dodge Dart were marked by a number of changes and updates to the model. In 1973, the Dart underwent a major redesign, with a more modern and streamlined look that was intended to appeal to younger buyers.
Despite these efforts, the Dart continued to struggle in the marketplace, and Dodge ultimately decided to discontinue the model in 1976. The last Dodge Dart rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1976, marking the end of an era for this iconic American car.
The Legacy of the Dodge Dart
While the Dodge Dart may no longer be in production, it remains an important part of American automotive history. The Dart was a popular and reliable car that helped to define the compact car segment in the United States, and it continues to be a beloved classic among car enthusiasts.
Today, the Dodge Dart is remembered as a symbol of a bygone era of American automotive design and engineering, and its legacy continues to inspire and influence the cars of the future.
Are Dodge Darts still being made?
No, Dodge Darts are no longer being made and were discontinued in 2016. While production stopped, a few "new" Darts have been sold in recent years from old dealer stock, a phenomenon sometimes called "zombie cars".
- Discontinued model: The Dodge Dart officially went out of production in 2016.
- "New" sales: Some dealerships have sold a small number of new, old-stock Darts, sometimes years after production ended. For example, six were sold in the third quarter of 2025.
- For sale: You may be able to find a used Dodge Dart at a dealer, but stock is limited.
When was the last year Dodge Darts were made?
2016
| Dodge Dart (PF) | |
|---|---|
| Production | May 2012 – September 2016 June 2012 – March 2017 (China) |
| Model years | 2012–2016 (China) 2013–2016 |
| Assembly | United States: Belvidere, Illinois (FCA Belvidere Assembly Plant) China: Changsha, Hunan (GAC Fiat Chrysler) |
| Designer | Timothy Allen Doyle and Michael Nicholas Roberto Giolito (Ottimo) |
Why did the Dodge Dart get discontinued?
The Dodge Dart was discontinued primarily because of a combination of poor sales, market shifts, and strategic decisions by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Key reasons include changing consumer preferences towards SUVs and trucks, the car's low profit margins, and issues with its rushed development and poor initial reliability. FCA decided to shift production to more popular and profitable vehicles like Jeeps and Rams, making the Dart's discontinuation a strategic move.
This video explains the history of the Dodge Dart and why it was discontinued: 32sAlphaSharkYouTube · Nov 15, 2022
- Market shift: Consumers were increasingly buying SUVs and trucks instead of sedans, making it difficult for cars like the Dart to compete.
- Poor sales and profitability: The Dart's sales never met Dodge's expectations, and it had low profit margins, making it an "investment" the automaker wasn't willing to continue.
- Strategic focus: FCA chose to prioritize production of its high-demand Jeep and Ram brands, freeing up production capacity at plants like the one in Belvidere, Illinois, to build more profitable vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee.
- Development issues: The Dart was rushed into production, leading to a later-than-expected release of its top trim and an initial shipment with only manual transmissions, which was not ideal for the U.S. market.
- Reliability and performance: The car was criticized for not being competitive with its peers in areas like fuel efficiency, speed, or reliability, and some early models faced engine issues.
This video discusses common issues with the Dodge Dart: 1mUsed Car GuideYouTube · Oct 30, 2024
How much is a 1972 Dodge Dart worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $8,700 for a 1972 Dodge Dart in good condition with average spec.
