Who originally owned Dodge?
The Dodge brand was originally owned by the Dodge brothers, John F. Dodge and Horace E. Dodge. They founded the Dodge Brothers Company in Detroit in 1900, built a thriving parts business, and later produced automobiles before Chrysler acquired the brand in 1928.
Origins: The Dodge Brothers
John F. Dodge and Horace E. Dodge built a successful mechanical parts enterprise in Detroit that supplied major automakers, including Ford. Their leverage in the industry enabled them to expand into automobile manufacturing, launching the Dodge brand with cars in the 1910s. The brothers were widely recognized as the original owners and driving force behind the early Dodge operation.
Key milestones in the early ownership and development of Dodge:
- 1900 — Dodge Brothers Company established by John F. Dodge and Horace E. Dodge in Detroit, Michigan.
- 1914 — Dodge begins automobile production under the Dodge brand, starting with the Model 30.
- 1920 — The Dodge brothers pass away, and ownership shifts to the company’s estate and leadership teams.
- 1928 — Chrysler Corporation purchases the Dodge Brothers assets and the Dodge brand, bringing Dodge under Chrysler's umbrella.
These milestones illustrate how a family-owned parts business evolved into a standalone automaker and, ultimately, into a division within a larger automaker.
Transition to Chrysler and Beyond
After the deaths of the Dodge brothers, their company continued under management until Chrysler acquired the Dodge assets in 1928, incorporating the Dodge name into its lineup. Over the decades, Dodge remained a staple brand within Chrysler, which later became part of broader corporate structures during mergers and reorganizations. Today, the Dodge brand operates under Stellantis, continuing the lineage that began with the Dodge brothers.
Why the ownership question matters
Understanding the original owners clarifies how Dodge evolved from a family-founded parts business into a major automotive marque. The Dodge brothers' vision set the foundation for a brand that navigated industry consolidation and remains a recognizable name in the auto market.
Summary
In short, Dodge was originally owned by John F. Dodge and Horace E. Dodge, the brothers who founded the Dodge Brothers Company in 1900. Their enterprise grew from parts manufacturing to automobile production, and in 1928 the brand became part of Chrysler, marking the first major shift in ownership that shaped Dodge’s future trajectory. Today, the Dodge name persists under Stellantis as a legacy of those early Dodge brothers.
