Dodge

Dodge was founded in 1900 by brothers John and Horace Dodge as the Dodge Brothers Company, initially operating as a major parts supplier for Detroit's burgeoning auto industry, most notably for the Ford Motor Company. In 1914, the brothers transitioned to full vehicle production with the Model 30-35, which gained a reputation for durability. Following the sudden deaths of both brothers in 1920, the company was eventually sold to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928, where it was positioned as a step above the Plymouth brand but below De Soto. Throughout the mid-20th century, Dodge established itself as a leader in the 'Muscle Car' era of the 1960s and 1970s, producing legendary nameplates like the Charger and Challenger. This period cemented the brand's identity as a purveyor of high-performance vehicles and HEMI engines. However, the fuel crises of the 1970s forced a pivot toward more fuel-efficient models, leading to the successful introduction of the Dodge Caravan in 1984, which effectively created the minivan segment. In the 1990s, Dodge experienced a performance renaissance with the launch of the Viper supercar and the redesign of the Ram pickup truck. During the 'merger of equals' between Chrysler and Daimler-Benz in 1998, Dodge remained a critical high-volume brand, though the partnership eventually dissolved. Following the 2009 Chrysler bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by Fiat to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Dodge's truck division was spun off into the standalone RAM brand in 2010, allowing Dodge to refocus exclusively on performance passenger vehicles. In the modern era, Dodge became famous for its 'Hellcat' variants, offering over 700 horsepower in production street cars. In 2021, FCA merged with PSA Group to form Stellantis, placing Dodge under a massive global umbrella. Today, the brand is undergoing its most significant transition yet, phasing out its traditional internal combustion V8 engines in favor of the 'Hurricane' twin-turbo inline-six and fully electric 'Daytona' powertrains. Currently, Dodge is marketing its 'Brotherhood of Muscle' campaign, bridging the gap between its heritage of gasoline-powered performance and a future defined by electrification. With the launch of the Hornet and the next-generation Charger, Dodge aims to maintain its aggressive brand identity while meeting modern efficiency and emissions standards.