Jump to content

Dodge: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverting possible vandalism by 199.127.132.202 to version by Discospinster. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (1805894) (Bot)
←Replaced content with 'dodge is for homos'
Tag: blanking
Line 1: Line 1:
dodge is for homos
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2011}}

{{Cleanup-rewrite|article|date=January 2009}}

{{Infobox company
|name = Dodge
|logo = [[File:New Dodge logo.png|275px|Dodge Logo]]
|type = [[Division (business)|Division]] of [[Chrysler|Chrysler Group LLC]]
|location_city = [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]]
|location_country = U.S.
|founder = [[John Francis Dodge]]<br>[[Horace Elgin Dodge]]
|foundation = 1900 (auto parts (Dodge Brothers))
1915 (automobiles)
|area_served = Global (except Europe)
|industry = Automobile
|key_people = Reid Bigland, CEO
|products = Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans/minivans
|parent = [[Chrysler Group LLC]]
|divisions = [[Ram Trucks|Ram]]
|homepage = [http://www.dodge.com/en/ dodge.com (U.S.)]<br>[http://www.dodge.com/crossbrand/intl_site_locator/index.html dodge.com (Global)]
}}

'''Dodge''', formally the '''Dodge Division of Chrysler Group LLC''', is an American brand of automobiles, [[minivan]]s, and [[sport utility vehicle]]s manufactured by [[Chrysler|Chrysler Group LLC]], based in [[Auburn Hills, Michigan|Auburn Hills]], [[Michigan]]. Dodge vehicles presently include the lower-priced [[Badge engineering|badge variants]] of [[Chrysler (division)|Chrysler]]-badged vehicles as well as [[performance car]]s, though for much of its existence Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]].

Founded as the [[Dodge Brothers Company]] by brothers [[Horace Elgin Dodge]] and [[John Francis Dodge]] in 1900, Dodge was originally a supplier of parts and assemblies for [[Detroit]]-based automakers and began building complete automobiles in 1915, predating the founding of Chrysler Corporation. The Dodge brothers died suddenly in 1920 and the company was sold to [[Dillon, Read & Co.]] in 1925 before being sold to Chrysler in 1928. Dodge vehicles mainly consisted of trucks and full-sized passenger cars through the 1970s, though it did make some inroads into the compact car market during this time. The [[1973 oil crisis]] and its subsequent impact on the American automobile industry led Chrysler to develop the [[Chrysler K platform|K platform]] of compact to midsize cars for the 1981 model year. The K [[automobile platform|platform]] and its derivatives are credited with reviving Chrysler's business in the 1980s; one such derivative became the [[Dodge Caravan]].

The Dodge brand has withstood the multiple ownership changes at Chrysler from 1998–2009, including its short-lived merger with [[Daimler-Benz AG]] from 1998–2007, its subsequent sale to [[Cerberus Capital Management]], its 2009 [[Effects of the 2008–2010 automotive industry crisis on the United States|bailout by the United States government]], and its subsequent [[Chrysler Chapter 11 reorganization|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] and acquisition by [[Fiat]].

In 2011, Dodge, [[Ram Trucks|Ram]], and Dodge's Viper were separated. Dodge said that the [[Dodge Viper]] will now be an [[Street and Racing Technology|SRT]] product and [[Ram Trucks|Ram]] will be a manufacturer.

==History==

===Founding and early years===
[[File:1915-dodge-archives.jpg|right|thumb|1915 Dodge Brothers Model 30-35 touring car]]
[[File:RoyalDodge.jpg|thumb|Dodge Brothers delivery trucks, [[Salt Lake City]], 1920]]
After the founding of the Dodge Brothers Company by [[Horace Elgin Dodge|Horace]] and [[John Francis Dodge|John Dodge]] in 1900, the Detroit-based company quickly found work producing precision engine and [[chassis]] components for the city’s burgeoning number of automobile firms. Chief among these customers were the established [[Oldsmobile#Early history|Olds Motor Vehicle Company]] and the then-new [[Ford Motor Company]].

By 1914, Horace had found a solution by creating the new four-cylinder [[Dodge Model 30]]. Marketed as a slightly more upscale competitor to the ubiquitous [[Ford Model T]], it pioneered or made standard many features later taken for granted: all-steel body construction (the vast majority of cars worldwide still used wood-framing under steel panels, though [[Stoneleigh (coachbuilder)|Stoneleigh]] and [[Birmingham Small Arms Company|BSA]] used steel bodies as early as 1911);<ref>{{cite book| editor-first= Tom |editor-last= Northey | last= Wise |first= David Burgess | chapter= Dodge |title= The World of Automobiles: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Motor Car | publisher=Purnell Reference Books | year = 1977 | volume= 5 | page = 552 | isbn = 978-0-8393-6009-4 }}</ref> 12-volt electrical system (6-volt systems would remain the norm until the 1950s); 35 horsepower<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Dodge/1920_Dodge_Brothers/1920_Dodge_Brothers_Brochure/1920%20Dodge%20Brothers-19.html |title=Directory Index: Dodge/1920_Dodge_Brothers/1920_Dodge_Brothers_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-08}}</ref> (versus the Model T's 20), and sliding-gear [[transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] (the best-selling Model T would retain an antiquated planetary design until its demise in 1927). As a result of this, and the brothers' well-earned reputation for the highest quality truck, transmission and motor parts they made for other successful vehicles, Dodge Brothers cars were ranked at second place for U.S. sales as early as 1916. That same year, [[Henry Ford]] decided to stop paying stock dividends to finance the construction of his new [[Ford River Rouge Complex|River Rouge complex]]. This led the Dodges to file [[Dodge v. Ford Motor Company|suit]] to protect their annual stock earnings of approximately one million dollars,<ref>Wise, p. 551.</ref> in turn, leading Ford to buy out his shareholders; the Dodges were paid some US$25&nbsp;million.<ref>Wise, p. 552.</ref>

Also in 1916, Dodge Brothers vehicles won acclaim for durability while in service with the U.S. Army's [[Pancho Villa Expedition]] into [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite book | title= The Mexican Revolution 1910–20 | first = Philip | last = Jowett | first2 = Alejandro | last2 = de Quesada | publisher=Osprey | page = 25 | isbn = 978-1-84176-989-9 }}</ref> One notable instance was in May when the [[6th Infantry Regiment (United States)|6th Infantry]] received a reported sighting of Julio Cardenas, one of Villa's most trusted subordinates. Lt. [[George S. Patton]] led ten soldiers and two civilian guides in three Dodge Model 30 touring cars to conduct a raid at a ranch house in San Miguelito, [[Sonora]]. During the ensuing firefight the party killed three men, of whom one was identified as Cardenas. Patton's men tied the bodies to the hoods of the Dodges, returning to headquarters in [[Colonia Dublán|Dublán]] and an excited reception from US newspapermen.

===Death of the Dodge brothers, Sale to Chrysler===

[[File:Dodge Series 124 4-Door Sedan 1927.jpg|right|thumb|1927 Dodge Brothers Series 124 sedan]]

Dodge Brothers cars continued to rank second place in American sales in 1920. However, the same year, tragedy struck as John Dodge was felled by [[pneumonia]] in January.<ref>{{cite news |title=John P. Dodge Dies At Ritz-Carlton. Detroit Manufacturer Was Stricken With Pneumonia At Automobile Show. His Brother Recovering As Minority Stockholders Of Ford Company. They Won $60,000,000 Suit Against Henry Ford |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9506E2DD1131E03ABC4D52DFB766838B639EDE |quote= John F. Dodge, the Detroit automobile manufacturer, who had been ill for a week with pneumonia in his apartments at the Ritz-Carlton, failed to survive the crisis of the attack and died last night at half past 10 o'clock. For some time before the end he was unconscious and unable to recognize his wife and daughters who were at his side. |work=New York Times |date= January 15, 1920 |accessdate=March 27, 2010 }}</ref> His brother Horace then died of [[cirrhosis]] in December of the same year (reportedly out of grief at the loss of his brother, with whom he was very close).<ref>{{cite news |coauthors= |title=Horace E. Dodge Dies in Florida. Detroit Automobile Manufacturer Succumbs Suddenly at Beach Home. Brother Died This Year. Sole Head of Industry Employing 18,000 Men Began His Career as Machinist With John F. Dodge |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E04E5D7163CE533A25752C1A9649D946195D6CF |quote=Horace E. Dodge, millionaire automobile manufacturer, died here tonight at his Winter home. |work=New York Times |date=December 11, 1920 |accessdate=July 21, 2007 }}</ref> With the loss of both founders, the Dodge Brothers Company passed into the hands of the brothers' widows, who promoted long-time employee [[Frederick Haynes]] to the company presidency. During this time, the Model 30 was evolved to become the new [[Dodge Series 116|Series 116]] (though it retained the same basic construction and engineering features). However, throughout the 1920s Dodge gradually lost its ranking as the third best-selling automobile manufacturer, slipping down to 7th in the U.S. market.

Dodge Brothers emerged as a leading builder of light trucks. They also entered into an agreement whereby they marketed trucks built by Graham Brothers of Evansville, Indiana. The three Graham brothers would later produce [[Graham-Paige]] and '''Graham''' automobiles.

Stagnation in development was becoming apparent, however, and the public responded by dropping Dodge Brothers to fifth place in the industry by 1925. That year, the Dodge Brothers company was sold by the widows to the well-known investment group [[Dillon, Read & Co.]] for no less than US$146&nbsp;million (at the time, the largest cash transaction in history).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/makehistory/43,0/Dodge_History.aspx|title=Dodge History|publisher=Conceptcarz.com|accessdate=30 July 2012}}</ref>

Dillon, Read & Co. offered non-voting stock on the market in the new Dodge Brothers, Inc., firm, and along with the sale of bonds was able to raise $160&nbsp;million, reaping a $14&nbsp;million (net) profit. All voting stock was retained by Dillon, Read. Frederick Haynes remained as company head until [[E.G. Wilmer]] was named board chairman in November, 1926. Wilmer was a banker with no auto experience and Haynes remained as president. Changes to the car, save for superficial things like [[trim level]]s and colors, remained minimal until 1927, when the new [[Dodge Senior|Senior]] six-cylinder line was introduced. The former four-cylinder line was kept on, but renamed the [[Dodge Fast Four|Fast Four]] line until it was dropped in favor of two lighter six-cylinder models (the [[Dodge Standard|Standard]] Six and [[Dodge Victory|Victory]] Six) for 1928.

On October 1, 1925, Dodge Brothers, Inc., acquired a 51% interest in [[Graham Brothers]], Inc., for $13&nbsp;million and the remaining 49% on May 1, 1926. The three Graham brothers, Robert, Joseph and Ray, assumed management positions in Dodge Brothers before departing early in 1927.

Despite all this, Dodge Brothers’ sales had already dropped to seventh place in the industry by 1927, and Dillon, Read began looking for someone to take over the company on a more permanent basis. Eventually Dodge was sold to Chrysler Corporation in 1928.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearheads.org/the-dodge-motor-company/|title=The Dodge Motor Company|date=21 May 2012|publisher=Gear Heads|accessdate=30 July 2012}}</ref>

===Pre-war years===
[[File:1933 Dodge advert by Muray.jpg|thumb|Dodge aimed for the luxury market in this advertisement for the 1933 models.]]
To fit better in the Chrysler Corporation lineup, alongside low-priced [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] and medium-priced DeSoto, Dodge’s lineup for early 1930 was trimmed down to a core group of two lines and thirteen models (from three lines and nineteen models just over a year previous). Prices started out just above DeSoto but were somewhat less than top-of-the-line [[Chrysler (division)|Chrysler]], in a small-scale recreation of General Motors’ “step-up” marketing concept. (DeSoto and Dodge would swap places in the market for the 1933 model year, Dodge dropping down between Plymouth and DeSoto.)

For 1930, Dodge took another step up by adding a new eight-cylinder line to replace the existing Senior six-cylinder. This basic format of a dual line with [[Dodge Six|Six]] and [[Dodge Eight|Eight]] models continued through 1933, and the cars were gradually streamlined and lengthened in step with prevailing trends of the day. The Dodge Eight was replaced by a larger Dodge DeLuxe Six for 1934 and which was dropped for 1935. A long-[[wheelbase]] edition of the remaining Six was added for 1936 and would remain a part of the lineup for many years.

The Dodge line, along with most of the corporation’s output, was restyled in the so-called “Wind Stream” look for 1935. This was a mild form of [[streamliner|streamlining]], which saw sales jump remarkably over the previous year (even though Dodge as a whole still dropped to fifth place for the year after two years of holding down fourth). Dodge never got the radical [[Airflow Chrysler|Airflow]] styling that was the cause of depressed sales of Chryslers and DeSotos from 1934 to 1937.
[[File:Dodge D11 Luxury Liner 4-Door Sedan 1939.jpg|left|thumb|Dodge D11 Luxury Liner 4-Door Sedan 1939]] Dodge (along with the rest of Chrysler) added safety features such as a smooth, flat dashboard with no protruding knobs, curved in door handles, and padded front-seat backs for the benefit of the rear-seat occupants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Dodge/1940_Dodge/1940_Dodge_Brochure/1940%20Dodge-09-10.html |title=Directory Index: Dodge/1940_Dodge/1940_Dodge_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-08}}</ref>

Another major restyle arrived for the 25th-anniversary 1939 models, which Dodge dubbed the Luxury Liner series. These were once again completely
redesigned with new bodies for 1940, again in 1941, and a refreshing for 1942. However, just after the 1942 models were introduced, Japan’s [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] forced the shutdown of Dodge’s passenger car [[assembly line]]s in favor of [[Military production during World War II|war production]] in February 1942.

===World War II===
Chrysler was prolific in its production of [[Materiel|war materiel]] from 1942 to 1945, and Dodge in particular was well known to both average citizens and thankful soldiers for their tough military-spec truck models and ambulances like the [[Dodge WC54|WC54]]. Starting with the hastily converted VC series and evolving into the celebrated [[Dodge WC series|WC series]], Dodge built a strong reputation for itself that readily carried over into civilian models after the war.

===Post-war years===
[[File:1946 Dodge Custom - -IMG 0845.jpg|thumb|1946 Dodge Custom]]
[[File:Dodge Coronet 1955.jpg|right|thumb|1956 Dodge Coronet]]
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 3691 BUS.JPG|thumb|1946 Dodge FK6 bus operated by [[Egged (company)|Egged]] in 1940s]]
Civilian production at Dodge was restarted by late 1945, in time for the 1946 [[model year]]. The "[[supply and demand|seller's market]]" of the early [[postwar]] years, brought on by the lack of any new cars throughout the war, meant that every automaker found it easy to sell vehicles regardless of any drawbacks they might have. Like almost every other automaker, Dodge sold lightly [[facelift (product)|facelifted]] revisions of its 1942 design through the 1948 season. As before, these were a single series of six-cylinder models with two trim levels (basic Deluxe or plusher Custom).

Styling was not initially Dodge’s strong point during this period, though that began to change by 1953 under the direction of corporate design chief [[Virgil Exner]]. At the same time, Dodge also introduced its first V8 engine – the Red Ram Hemi, a smaller version of the original design of the famed [[Chrysler FirePower engine|Hemi]]. The new 1953 bodies were smaller and based on the Plymouth. For 1954, sales dropped, the stubby styling not going over well with the public. 1954 also saw the introduction of the fully automatic PowerFlite transmission.

New corporate “Forward Look” styling for 1955 began a new era for Dodge. With steadily upgraded styling and ever-stronger engines every year through 1960, Dodge found a ready market for its products as America discovered the joys of freeway travel. This situation improved when Dodge introduced a new line of Dodges called the Dart to do battle against Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth. The result was that Dodge sales in the middle price class collapsed. Special and regional models were sold as well, including the LaFemme (a white and orchid-trimmed hardtop marketed toward women) and the Texan, a gold-accented Dodge sold in the Lone Star State.
[[File:Dodge Coronet 1958.jpg|left|thumb|1958 Dodge Coronet Lancer hardtop coupe]]

Dodge entered the compact car field for 1961 with their new [[Dodge Lancer|Lancer]], a variation on Plymouth's [[Plymouth Valiant|Valiant]]. Though it was
not initially successful, the [[Dodge Dart|Dart]] range that succeeded the Lancer in 1963 would prove to be one of the division's top sellers for many years.

Chrysler did make an ill-advised move to downsize the Dodge and Plymouth full-size lines for 1962, which resulted in a loss of sales. However, they turned this around in 1965 by turning those former full-sizes into "new" mid-size models; Dodge revived the [[Dodge Coronet|Coronet]] nameplate in this way and later added a sporty [[fastback]] version called the [[Dodge Charger (B-body)|Charger]] that became both a sales leader and a winner on the [[NASCAR]] circuit. Not only did this style dominate the racetrack for 4 full years, its aerodynamic improvements forever changed the face a NASCAR racing.

Full-size models evolved gradually during this time. After Dodge dealers complained about not having a true full-size car in the fall of 1961, the Custom 880 was hurried into production. The Custom 880 used the 1962 Chrysler Newport body with the 1961 Dodge front end and interior. The 880 continued into 1965, the year a completely new full-size body was put into production, the [[Dodge Polara|Polara]] entered the medium price class and the [[Dodge Monaco|Monaco]] was added as the top series. The Polara and Monaco were changed mostly in appearance for the next ten years or so. Unique "[[fuselage]]" styling was employed for 1969 through 1973 and then was toned down again for the 1974 to 1977 models.
[[File:1967 Dodge Coronet.jpg|right|thumb|1967 Dodge Coronet 440 sedan]]

Dodge is well-known today for being a player in the [[muscle car]] market of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Along with the Charger, models like the Coronet R/T and [[Dodge Super Bee|Super Bee]] were popular with buyers seeking performance. The pinnacle of this effort was the introduction of the [[Dodge Challenger|Challenger]] sports coupe and convertible (Dodge's entry into the "pony car" class ) in 1970, which offered everything from mild economy engines up to the wild race-ready Hemi V8 in the same package.
In an effort to reach every segment of the market, Dodge even reached a hand across the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] to its partner, [[Mitsubishi Motors]], and marketed their subcompact as the [[Dodge Colt|Colt]] to compete with the [[AMC Gremlin]], [[Chevrolet Vega]], and [[Ford Pinto]]. Chrysler would over the years come to rely heavily on their relationship with Mitsubishi.

===Times of crisis===
[[File:1977Diplomat.jpg|right|thumb|1977 Dodge Diplomat sedan]]

The [[1973 oil crisis]] caused significant changes at Dodge, as well as Chrysler as a whole. Except for the Colt and Slant Six models of the Dart, Dodge's lineup was quickly seen as extremely inefficient. In fairness, this was true of most American automakers at the time, but Chrysler was also not in the best financial shape to do anything about it. Consequently, while General Motors and Ford were quick to begin downsizing their largest cars, Chrysler (and Dodge) moved more slowly out of necessity.

At the very least, Chrysler was able to use some of its other resources. Borrowing the recently introduced [[Chrysler Horizon]] from their [[Chrysler Europe|European division]], Dodge was able to get its new [[Dodge Omni|Omni]] subcompact on the market fairly quickly. At the same time, they increased the number of models imported from Mitsubishi: first came a smaller Colt (based on Mitsubishi's [[Mitsubishi Lancer|Lancer]] line), then a revival of the Challenger as a Mitsubishi compact hardtop coupe with nothing more than a four-cylinder under the hood, rather than the booming V8s of yore.
Bigger Dodges, though, remained rooted in old habits. The Dart was replaced by a new [[Dodge Aspen|Aspen]] for 1976, and Coronet and Charger were effectively replaced by the [[Dodge Diplomat|Diplomat]] for 1977, which was actually a fancier Aspen. While the Aspen got accolades for styling and handling, build quality was problematic, sullying the car's reputation at the time when sales were desperately needed. Meanwhile, the huge Monaco (Royal Monaco beginning in 1977 when the mid-sized Coronet was renamed "Monaco") models hung around through 1977, losing sales every year, until finally being replaced by the [[Dodge St. Regis|St. Regis]] for 1979 following a one-year absence from the big car market. In a reversal of what happened for 1965, the St. Regis was an upsized Coronet. Buyers, understandably, were confused and chose to shop the competition rather than figure out what was going on at Dodge.

Everything came to a head in 1979 when Chrysler's new chairman, [[Lee Iacocca]], requested and received federal loan guarantees from the [[United States
Congress]] in an effort to save the company from having to file bankruptcy. With a Federal Loan in hand, Chrysler quickly set to work on new models that would leave the past behind, while reorganizing to pay the government loan which stood at 29%.

===K-Cars and minivans===
[[File:Dodge Aries sedan.jpg|left|thumb|1981–82 Aries Special Edition]]

The first fruit of Chrysler's crash development program was the "[[Chrysler K platform|K-Car]]", the Dodge version of which was the [[Dodge Aries]]. This basic and durable [[front-wheel drive]] platform spawned a whole range of new models at Dodge during the 1980s, including the groundbreaking [[Dodge Caravan]]. The Caravan not only helped save Chrysler as a serious high-volume American automaker, but also spawned an entirely new market segment that remains popular today: the [[minivan]].

[[File:Spirit RT Front34.jpg|thumb|right|1991 [[Dodge Spirit#R/T|Dodge Spirit R/T]]]]Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Dodge's designation as the sporty-car division was backed by a succession of high-performance and/or aggressively styled models including the [[Dodge Daytona|Daytona]], mid-sized [[Dodge 600|600]] and several versions of the [[Dodge Lancer|Lancer]]. The [[Dodge Spirit]] sedan was well received in numerous markets worldwide. The [[Dodge Omni|Omni]] remained in the line through 1990. Dodge-branded Mitsubishi vehicles were phased out by 1993 except for the Dodge Stealth running through 1996, though Mitsubishi-made engines and electrical components were still widely used in American domestic Chrysler products. In 1992, Dodge
moved their performance orientation forward substantially with the [[Dodge Viper|Viper]], which featured an aluminum V10 engine and composite sports roadster body. This was the first step in what was marketed as "The New Dodge", which was an aggressive advertising campaign with a litany of new models, with television ads narrated by [[Edward Herrmann]] that pointed out the innovations in the vehicles and challenged their competitors. Later that year, was the introduction of new [[Dodge Intrepid|Intrepid]] sedan, totally different from its boxy [[Dodge Dynasty|Dynasty]] predecessor and for 1993, the new [[Dodge Ram]] pickup was introduced with bold styling. The Intrepid used what Chrysler called "[[cab forward]]" styling, with the wheels pushed out to the corners of the chassis for maximum passenger space. They followed up on this idea in a smaller scale with the [[Dodge Stratus|Stratus]] and [[Dodge Neon|Neon]], both introduced for 1995. The Neon in particular was a hit, buoyed by a clever marketing campaign and good performance.
[[File:1996 Dodge Stratus ES.JPG|thumb|Cab Forward Design on a 1996 [[Dodge Stratus]]|left]]

==The modern era==

===DaimlerChrysler===
[[File:Black Charger SRT.JPG|right|thumb|2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 sedan]]

In a move that never lived up to the expectations of its driving forces, Chrysler Corporation merged with Daimler-Benz AG in 1998 to form DaimlerChrysler. Rationalizing Chrysler's broad lineup was a priority, and Dodge's sister brand Plymouth was withdrawn from the market. With this move, Dodge became
DaimlerChrysler's low-price division as well as its performance division.

The Intrepid, Stratus, and Neon updates of the 1998 to 2000 timeframe were largely complete before Daimler's presence, and Dodge's first experience of any platform sharing with the German side of the company was the 2005 [[Dodge Magnum|Magnum]] [[station wagon]], introduced as a replacement for the Intrepid. Featuring Chrysler's first mainstream [[rear-wheel drive]] platform since the 1980s and a revival of the Hemi V8 engine, it was a modest success. The [[Dodge Charger (LX)|Charger]] was launched in 2006 on the same platform.

Further cost savings were explored in the form of an extensive platform-sharing arrangement with Mitsubishi, which spawned the [[Dodge Caliber|Caliber]] subcompact as a replacement for the Neon and the [[Dodge Avenger|Avenger]] sedan. The rear-drive chassis was then used in early 2008 to build a new [[Dodge Challenger|Challenger]], with styling reminiscent of the original 1970 Challenger. Like its predecessor, the new Challenger coupe was available with a powerful V8 engine (base models featured a V6). In Spring 2007, [[Daimler AG|DaimlerChrysler]] reached an agreement with [[Cerberus Capital Management]] to dump its Chrysler Group subsidiary, of which the Dodge division was a part. Soon after, the housing bubble began to collapse the American market, and on May 1st 2009, Chrysler and GM filed for bankruptcy on the same day.

On June 10, 2009, Italian automaker Fiat formed a partnership with Chrysler under Sergio Marchionne, with the UAW, and the US Government to form Chrysler Group LLC, of which Dodge and Jeep remained fully integrated. For its part, the US Government provided more than $6 billion in loans at 21%, called a "bridge loan" or "bailout". The newly formed company went on to fully repay that loan, remortgaging to reduce the interest rate several times down to 6%. They fully paid back the loan with interest to the US Government on May 24th 2011, a full 5 years early. The UAW, being partners throughout the process, were paid well and above $3.9 billion in 2013 as Sergio's plan for full consolidation has continued on schedule. This has allowed Chrysler LLC to fully merge with Fiat to form FCA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2014.

The results of this merger have been nothing short of spectacular. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep all have ridden an unprecedented sales wave of 50 consecutive months of growth, starting with the launch of its flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee. It became the most awarded SUV - ever. In 2012, however, the Dodge Caravan was consolidated to the performance portion sold going forward as the Chrysler Town & Country. For 2013, Dodge re-introduced a compact car based on an Alfa-Romeo design. Sold under the revived Dart name, the car received favorable reviews from the automotive press. An all new 9 speed, fully capable Jeep Cherokee was introduced in 2013. Though some felt the design to radical, the buyers appreciated the distinction of a full American look, with refined manners, but serious off road capability. The biggest launch for the company has come in 2014, where FCA will launch its first official car : a brand new 200. A vehicle whose high quality and new luxury will compete in the heavyweight "mid size" domestic market. Initial reviews from the 3 major publications, Car & Driver, Motor Trend and JD powers, believe it will take significant margin from competitors (Accord, Focus, etc). This marks the close of the beginning of the story of FCA, whose plans for Jeep and Dodge are to have them remain flagships in the industry.

==Dodge trucks==
Over the years, Dodge has become at least as well known for its many truck models as for its prodigious passenger car output. In 2009, trucks were spun off into the [[Ram (brand)|Ram]] brand, named after the brand's most popular truck, the [[Dodge Ram]]. However, it should be noted that even though the Ram trucks are marketed separately from Dodge cars, Ram President Fred Diaz has stated that "Ram trucks will always and forever be Dodges. Ram will always have the Dodge emblem inside and outside and they will be 'vinned' (from the acronym VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number) as a Dodge. We need to continue to market as Ram so Dodge can have a different brand identity: hip, cool, young, energetic. That will not fit the campaign for truck buyers. The two should have distinct themes." to say this has been a success is an understatement. In 2011, the RAM introduced the Outdoorsman, a low mid cost, focused vehicle for, well, outdoorsmen. Completely sold out in 2012, the RAM added the RAM BOX to the rear quarter panels with locking features. The result can be marked by a first in automotive history : The 2013 and 2014 RAM won back - to - back Motor Trends Truck of the Year. It helps that the 2014 RAM has a Diesel 9 speed to provide 25 mpg, more torque and hauling capability, without giving up performance.

===Pickups and medium to heavy trucks===
[[File:1934 Dodge Brothers 2-ton stake truck red.jpg|thumb|right|1934 Dodge K-34 stake bed truck]]
Ever since the beginning of its history in 1914, Dodge has offered light truck models. For the first few years, these were based largely on the existing
passenger cars, but eventually gained their own chassis and body designs as the market matured. Light- and medium-duty models were offered first, then a heavy-duty range was added during the 1930s and 1940s.

Following [[World War II]] and the successful application of [[four-wheel drive]] to the truck line, Dodge introduced a civilian version that it called the [[Dodge Power Wagon|Power Wagon]]. At first based almost exactly on the military-type design, variants of the standard truck line were eventually given 4WD and the same “Power Wagon” name.

Dodge was among the first to introduce car-like features to its trucks, adding the plush Adventurer package during the 1960s and offering sedan-like space in its Club Cab bodies of the 1970s. Declining sales and increased competition during the 1970s eventually forced the company to drop its medium- and heavy-duty models, an arena the company has only recently begun to reenter.

Dodge introduced what they called the "Adult Toys" line to boost its truck sales in the late 1970s, starting off with the limited edition [[Dodge Lil' Red Express|Lil' Red Express]] pickup (featuring, a 360 c.i. police interceptor engine and visible [[semi-trailer truck|big rig]]-style [[exhaust system|exhaust]] stacks). Later came the more widely available [[Dodge Warlock|Warlock]]. Other "Adult Toys" from Dodge included the [[Dodge Macho Power Wagon|Macho Power Wagon]] and [[Dodge Street Van|Street Van]].

As part of a general decline in the commercial vehicle field during the 1970s, Dodge eliminated their [[Dodge LCF Series|LCF Series]] heavy-duty trucks in 1975, along with the [[Dodge Bighorn|Bighorn]] and medium-duty D-Series trucks, and affiliated [[Dodge S Series|S Series]] [[school bus]]es were dropped in 1978. On the other hand, Dodge produced several thousand pickups for the [[United States armed forces|United States Military]] under the [[Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle|CUCV]] program from the late 1970s into the early 1980s.

[[File:89RamF34.jpg|thumb|left|1989 Dodge Ram pickup]]
Continuing financial problems meant that even Dodge’s light-duty models – renamed as the [[Dodge Ram|Ram Pickup]] line for 1981 – were carried over with the most minimal of updates until 1993. Two things helped to revitalize Dodge’s fortunes during this time. First was their introduction of [[Cummins]]’ powerful and reliable [[Cummins B Series engine|B Series]] turbo-[[diesel engine]] as an option for 1989. This innovation raised Dodge’s profile among serious truck buyers who needed power for towing or large loads. A mid-size [[Dodge Dakota|Dakota]] pickup, which later offered a class-exclusive V8 engine, was also an attractive draw.

Dodge introduced the Ram's all-new “big-rig” styling treatment for 1994. Besides its instantly [[Attitude polarization|polarizing]] looks, exposure was also gained by usage of the new truck on the hit TV show ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' starring [[Chuck Norris]]. The new Ram also featured a totally new interior with a console box big enough to hold a laptop computer, or ventilation and radio controls that were designed to be easily used even with gloves on. A V10 engine derived from that used in the Viper sports car was also new, and the previously offered Cummins turbo-diesel remained available. The smaller Dakota was redesigned in the same vein for 1997, thus giving Dodge trucks a definitive “face” that set them apart from the competition.

The Ram was redesigned again for 2002 (the Dakota in 2005), basically as an evolution of the original but now featuring the revival of Chrysler’s legendary Hemi V8 engine. New medium-duty chassis-cab models were introduced for 2007 (with standard Cummins turbo-diesel power), as a way of gradually getting Dodge back in the business truck market again.

For a time during the 1980s, Dodge also imported a line of small pickups from Mitsubishi. Known as the D50 or (later) the [[Dodge Ram 50|Ram 50]], they were carried on as a stopgap until the Dakota’s sales eventually made the imported trucks irrelevant. (Ironically, Mitsubishi has more recently purchased Dakota pickups from Dodge and restyled them into their own [[Mitsubishi Raider|Raider]] line for sale in North America.)

===Vans===
Dodge had offered panel delivery models for many years since its founding, but their first purpose-built van model arrived for 1964 with the compact [[Dodge A100|A Series]]. Based on the Dodge Dart platform and using its proven six-cylinder or V8 engines, the A-series was a strong competitor for both its domestic rivals (from Ford and Chevrolet/[[GMC Truck|GMC]]) and the diminutive [[Volkswagen Transporter]] line.

As the market evolved, however, Dodge realized that a bigger and stronger van line would be needed in the future. Thus the [[Dodge B Series|B Series]], introduced for 1971, offered both car-like comfort in its Sportsman passenger line or expansive room for gear and materials in its Tradesman cargo line. A chassis-cab version was also offered, for use with bigger cargo boxes or flatbeds.
[[File:2003 Dodge Caravan.JPG|thumb|right|2003 [[Dodge Caravan]]|2003 [[Dodge Caravan]]]]
Like the trucks, though, Chrysler’s dire financial straits of the late 1970s precluded any major updates for the vans for many years. Rebadged as the [[Dodge Ram Van|Ram Van]] and [[Dodge Ram Wagon|Ram Wagon]] for 1981, this venerable design carried on for 33 years with little more than cosmetic and safety updates all the way to 2003.

The DaimlerChrysler merger of 1999 made it possible for Dodge to explore new ideas; hence the European-styled [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] line of vans was brought over and given a Dodge styling treatment. Redesigned for 2006 as a 2007 model, the economical diesel-powered Sprinters have become very popular for city usage among delivery companies like [[FedEx]] and [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] in recent years. Because of their fuel efficiency major motorhome manufacturer [http://ThorMotorCoach.com Thor Motor Coach] made several Class C and Class A [[Motorhomes]] available on the Dodge Sprinter Chassis including their popular Four Winds Siesta & Chateau Citation product lines.

Dodge also offered a cargo version of its best-selling Caravan for many years, at first calling it the Mini Ram Van (a name originally applied to short-wheelbase B-Series Ram Vans) and later dubbing it the Caravan C/V (for "Cargo Van"). However, for model year 2011, the Caravan C/V was rebranded as a Ram, called the Ram C/V.

===Sport utility vehicles===
Dodge’s first experiments with anything like a sport utility vehicle appeared in the late 1950s with a windowed version of their standard panel-truck - known as the [[Dodge Town Wagon|Town Wagon]]. These were built in the same style through the mid-1969s.

But the division didn't enter the SUV arena in earnest until 1974, with the purpose-built [[Dodge Ramcharger|Ramcharger]]. Offering the then-popular open body style and Dodge's powerful V8 engines, the Ramcharger was a strong competitor for trucks like the [[Ford Bronco]], [[Chevrolet K5 Blazer|Chevrolet Blazer]] and [[International Harvester Scout]] II.

Once again, though, Dodge was left with outdated products during the 1980s as the market evolved. The Ramcharger hung on through 1993 with only minor updates. When the Ram truck was redesigned for the 1994 model year, the Ramcharger was discontinued in the American and Canadian markets. A version using the updated styling was made for the Mexican Market but was never imported to the U.S. or Canada.
Instead, Dodge tried something new in 1998. Using the mid-sized Dakota pickup's chassis as a base, they built the four-door [[Dodge Durango|Durango]] SUV with seating for eight people and created a new niche. Sized between smaller SUVs (like the [[Chevrolet S-10 Blazer|Chevrolet Blazer]] and [[Ford Explorer]]) and larger models (like the [[Chevrolet Tahoe]] and [[Ford Expedition]]), Durango was both a bit more and bit less{{or|date=May 2012}} of everything. The redesigned version for 2004 grew a little bit in every dimension, becoming a full-size SUV (and thus somewhat less efficient), but was still sized between most of its competitors on either side of the aisle. For 2011 a new unibody Durango based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee was released. The 2011 Durango shrank slightly to size comparable to the original model.

Dodge also imported a version of Mitsubishi’s popular Montero ([[Mitsubishi Pajero|Pajero]] in Japan) as the [[Dodge Raider|Raider]] from 1987 to 1989.

==International markets==
Dodge vehicles are now available in many countries throughout the world.

===Argentina===
Dodge came to Argentina in the early 20th century with imported cars & trucks. But, since 1960, has partnered with a local representative: Fevre-Basset. The first vehicle made in Argentina was the pick up D-100 "Sweptilte".<ref>http://www.cocheargentino.com.ar/d/dodge_pick_up.htm#sweptile</ref> For 1961 to 1980 arrives the trucks, like: D-400/DP-400 D-500/DP-500 DP600, DD900 & DD1000 (the last two with one curiosity: the aircooled [[Deutz AG|Deutz]] engine rather Perkins or Chrysler). Respecting the passenger cars, made the Valiant I & II, and the local versions of the 1966 Dodge Dart (called Valiant III & IV). For 1971, arrives the Dodge 1500, a rebadged Hillman Avenger from UK. In 1982, ceased the Dodge brand, because Volkswagen bought the Fevre plant and the shares.
Just past the 80's, in 1993 returns the Dodge cars & pick ups to the country. Now, the Journey and the Ram sold in Argentina by Dodge.

===Asia===
Dodge entered the Japanese market in mid-2007, and re-entered the Chinese market in late 2007. [[Soueast Motors]] of China assembles the Caravan for the Chinese market. Dodge had already been marketing its vehicles in South Korea since 2004, starting with the Dakota.

Dodge vehicles have been sold in the Middle East for a considerably longer period.

===Australia===
Dodge re-entered the [[Australia]]n market in 2006 with the [[Dodge Caliber|Caliber]], their first offering since the AT4/D5N trucks in 1979 and the first Dodge passenger car to be marketed in Australia since the [[Dodge Phoenix|Phoenix]] sedan was discontinued in 1973. The second model to be introduced was the [[Dodge Nitro|Nitro]], with the [[Dodge Avenger|Avenger]] and [[Dodge Journey|Journey]] followed. Dodge chose not use the full model lines and engines available to them, the 2.7L V6 being available in the Journey and Avenger instead of the 3.2 in the North American versions. However they did introduce diesel engines in all their cars.
Followng the Global Financial Crisis, Chrysler introduced the facelifted model of the Caliber and discontinued the Avenger imports. From early 2012 on, model year 2010 cars were available. By early 2012 no new cars were being brought into Australia aside from the new facelifted 2012 Journey.
There are now rumours that Dodge cars will be re-badged as Fiats in the Australian market as has happened in Europe. In contrast, recent speculation has suggested that the Dodge nameplate would continue on until at least 2015, due to consistent sales of the Journey.<ref name="carpoint.com.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012/fiat-punto-heading-back-to-australia-32839|title=Fiat Punto heading back to Australia|accessdate=2012-10-04}}</ref>

===Brazil===
In Brazil, Dodge cars were produced between 1969 and 1981 with the models Dart, Charger, Magnum, LeBaron (all powered by the same 318&nbsp;cid V8 engine), and the compact 1800/Polara, based on the British [[Hillman Avenger]]. The manufacturer was acquired by Volkswagen in 1981. In 1998, the Dakota pickup started production in a new plant in [[Campo Largo, Paraná]] by [[Mercedes-Benz]], which belongs to its former partner [[Daimler AG]]. It was built there until 2001 with petrol and diesel engines and regular, extended and crew cabs. In 2010, Dodge started sales of the imported pickup Ram 2500. The model portfolio is being expanded, starting with the Journey crossover for the 2009 model year.

===Canada===
In Canada, the Dodge lineup of cars started down the road to elimination along with the Plymouth line when in 1988 the [[Dodge Dynasty]] was sold in Canada as the Chrysler Dynasty and sold at both Plymouth and Dodge dealers. Similarly, the new [[Dodge Intrepid]], the Dynasty's replacement, was sold as the Chrysler Intrepid.

For 2000, the new Neon became the Chrysler Neon. The Chrysler Cirrus and Mitsubishi-built Dodge Avenger were dropped. Dodge trucks, which have been sold at Canadian Plymouth dealers since 1973, continued without change. All Plymouth-Chrysler and Dodge-Chrysler dealers became Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers.

The diluting of the Chrysler name did not go well in Canada, especially as the nameplate had been pushed as a luxury line since the 1930s. For 2003, the revamped Neon appeared in Canada as the Dodge SX 2.0. Since then all new Dodge models have been sold in Canada under the Dodge name.

===Europe===
Dodge started assembling lorries (trucks) in the United Kingdom, from imported parts, in 1922. In 1933 it began to manufacture a British chassis, at its works in [[Kew]], using American engines and gearboxes.<ref>{{cite web|author=doctor colin |url=http://www.dodge50.co.uk/dodgehistory.htm |title=Dodge History in The U.K |publisher=Dodge50.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-12-01}}</ref>

;Two examples of right-hand drive Dodge trucks
<gallery>
File:Dodge D 15.jpg
File:Preserved dodge, Limestone Museum, Malta Siggiewa. feb 2011 - Flickr - sludgegulper.jpg
</gallery>

Following Chrysler's takeover of the British [[Rootes Group]], [[Simca]] of France, and [[Barreiros (manufacturer)|Barreiros]] of Spain, and the resultant establishment of [[Chrysler Europe]] in the late 1960s, the Dodge brand was used on light commercial vehicles, most of which were previously branded [[Commer]] or [[Karrier]], on pickup and van versions of the [[Simca 1100]], on the Spanish [[Barreiros (manufacturer)#The Spanish Dodge Dart|Dodge Dart]], and on heavy trucks built in Spain. The most common of these was the [[Dodge 50 series]], widely used by utility companies and the military, but rarely seen outside the UK, and the Spanish-built heavy-duty [[Dodge 300 series|300 series]] available as 4x2, 6x4, 8x2, and 8x4 rigids, as well as 4x2 semi-trailer tractors. All of these were also sold in selected export markets badged either as [[Fargo (truck)|Fargo]] or [[DeSoto (automobile)|De Soto]].

Following Chrysler Europe's collapse in 1977, and the sale of their assets to [[Peugeot]], the Chrysler/Dodge British and Spanish factories were quickly passed on to [[Renault Trucks|Renault Véhicules Industriels]], who gradually re-branded the range of vans and trucks as Renaults through the 1980s. They would eventually drop these products altogether and used the plants to produce engines (in the UK) and "real" Renault truck models in Spain. Dodge vehicles would not return to the UK until the introduction of the Neon, badged as a Chrysler, in the mid-1990s.

The Dodge marque was reintroduced to Europe on a broad scale in 2006. Currently, the Dodge lineup in Europe consists of the Caliber, Avenger, Viper SRT-10, Nitro and [[Dodge Journey]]. However, in 2010 Chrysler pulled the Dodge marque from the UK lineup due to poor sales.<ref>[http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/19/dodge-stops-selling-nitro-caliber-in-uk/ "Dodge stops selling Nitro, Caliber in UK"] from Autoblog (May 19, 2010)</ref>

On June 1, 2011 the Dodge name was dropped from the rest of Europe when it was replaced by the Fiat brand, where Fiat rebadged the [[Dodge Journey]] as the Fiat Freemont. However, the Freemont is not available in the Ireland or UK [[Fiat]] lineup.

===Mexico===
In [[Mexico]], the [[Hyundai Accent]], [[Hyundai Atos]], and [[Hyundai Porter|Hyundai H100]] are branded as "Dodge" or "Verna by Dodge", "Atos by Dodge" and "Dodge H100" respectively, and sold at Chrysler/Dodge dealers. Current models are marketed with Hyundai logos instead of the "Ram" logo on previous model years. Dodge and Hyundai will end the venture and Dodge will use rebadged and reworked Fiats.

==Logos==
* Star: The original Dodge was a circle, with two interlocking triangles forming a six-pointed star in the middle; an interlocked "DB" was at the center of the star, and the words "Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicles" encircled the outside edge. Although similar to the Star of David, the Dodge brothers were not Jewish. Although the "Brothers" was dropped from the name for trucks in 1929 and cars in 1930, the DB star remained in the cars until the 1939 models were introduced.
* Ram: For 1932 Dodge cars adopted a leaping ram as the car's hood ornament. Starting with the 1940 models the leaping ram became more streamlined and by 1951 only the head, complete with curving horns, remained. The 1954 model cars were the last to use the ram's head before the rebirth in the 1980s. Dodge trucks adopted the ram as the hood ornament for the 1940 model year with the 1950 models as the last.
* Crest: For 1941 Dodge introduced a crest, supposedly the Dodge family crest. The design had four horizontal bars broken in the middle by one vertical bar with an "O" in the center. A knight's head appeared at the top of the emblem. Although the head would be dropped for 1955, the emblem would survive through 1957 and reappear on the 1976 Aspen. The crest would be used through to 1981 on its second time around, being replaced by the Pentastar for 1982. The knight's head without the crest would be used for 1959.
* Forward Look: [[Virgil Exner]]'s radical "Forward Look" redesign of Chrysler Corporation's vehicles for the 1955 model year was emphasized by the adoption of a logo by the same name, applied to all Chrysler Corporation vehicles. The Forward Look logo consisted of two overlapped boomerang shapes, suggesting [[space age]] rocket-propelled motion. This logo was incorporated into Dodge advertising, decorative trim, ignition and door key heads, and accessories through September 1962. ''See also:'' [[Forward Look]]
* Fratzog: Dodge's logo from September 1962 through 1981 was a fractured [[Kite (geometry)|deltoid]] composed of three arrowhead shapes forming a three-pointed star. The logo first appeared on the 1962 Polara 500 and the mid-year 1962 Custom 880. One of its designers came up with the meaningless name Fratzog for the logo, which ultimately stuck.<ref>{{cite web|author=by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide |url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1962-1964-dodge-8802.htm |title=1962–1964 Dodge 880 article |publisher=Auto.howstuffworks.com |accessdate=July 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sealey |first=Mike |url=http://www.allpar.com/history/logos.html |title=Mike Sealey's history of Chrysler's logos |publisher=Allpar.com |accessdate=July 23, 2010}}</ref> As the Dodge Division's logo, Fratzog was incorporated in various badges and emblems on Dodge vehicles. It was also integrated into the design of such parts as steering wheel center hubs and road wheel covers.
* Pentastar: From 1982 to 1995, Dodge used Chrysler's [[Pentastar]] logo on its cars and trucks to replace the Dodge crest, although it had been used for corporate recognition since late 1962. In advertisements and on dealer signage, Dodge's Pentastar was red, while Chrysler-Plymouth's was blue.
* Ram's head: Dodge reintroduced the ram's head hood ornament on the new 1973 Dodge Bighorn heavy duty tractor units. Gradually the ram's head began appearing on the pickup trucks as Dodge began to refer to their trucks as Ram. The present iteration of the [[Bighorn sheep|Ram]]'s-head logo appeared in 1993, standardizing on that logo in 1996 for all vehicles except the [[SRT Viper|Viper]]. which is using the [[Viperidae|Viper's]] Head.
* New logo: In 2010, with the separation of the Ram brand, two new Dodge logos were unveiled. The first logo features the word "DODGE" with two inclined stripes. It was originally used strictly for marketing purposes, however Dodge introduced the logo onto the grilles of the 2012 lineup.

A second emblem was revealed during the unveiling of the 2011 Durango, which uses the same five-point shield-shaped outline of the old emblem, but with the ram's head replaced with a chrome cross reminiscent of the brand's signature cross-haired grille.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vehicast.blog.com/2010/09/02/new-dodge-emblem-revealed/|title=New Dodge emblem revealed |publisher=VehiCast |accessdate=September 2, 2010}}</ref> This is only used on the [[steering wheel]]. A modified version of the Ram's head logo is still used for the Ram brand, with "RAM" written across the bottom in bold white or black lettering.

<gallery>
Image:DodgeBros.JPG|Dodge Brothers emblem ca. 1910, removed from the gate of the Dodge Main plant before its 1981 demolition
Image:Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicles Belt Buckle.JPG|Dodge Brothers logo used from 1914 to 1927 (seen here on a modern belt buckle)
Image:ForwardLookPatch.jpg|Forward Look corporate logo, shortly used in 1955 through 1962
Image:Fratzog.jpg|Fratzog, used 1962–1981

Image:Dodge Red Pentastar.svg|Red Chrysler Pentastar logo, used 1966–1996
Image:Dodge logo - The Ram logo, used 1993–2010.svg|The [[Bighorn sheep|Ram]] logo, used 1993–2010
Image:Steering wheel logo - 2011 Dodge Avenger.JPG|Crosshairs and shield logo on the steering wheel are used on all models starting 2011 year (with the exception of the 2011-12 [[Dodge Caliber|Caliber]] and [[Dodge Nitro|Nitro]] having the Ram logo.) </gallery>

==Slogans==
* An American revolution. (1982–1989) (slogan recycled by [[Chevrolet]], a non-Chrysler make in 2005)
* The new Dodge. (1992–2000)
* Dodge. Different. (2000–2001)
* Grab life by the horns. (2001–2007, mainly for Dodge truck market)
* Grab life. (2007-mid June 2010, in Ram pickup truck ads)
* Never neutral. (2010–present)
* Guts. Glory. Ram. (2010-present, Ram Truck division)

==List of Dodge automobiles==
{{main|List of Dodge automobiles}}
{{see also|List of Dodge concept vehicles}}

===Current models===
{{Div col|cols=2}}
* [[Dodge Avenger|Avenger]] (1995–2000; 2008–present)
* [[Dodge Grand Caravan|Grand Caravan]] (1984–present)
* [[Dodge Challenger|Challenger]] (1970–1974; 1978–1983; 2008–present)
* [[Dodge Charger (LX)|Charger (LX)]] (1964 to 1978, 1983 to 1987. 2005–present)
* [[Dodge Dart (2013)|Dart]] (1960–1976; 2013-)
* [[Dodge Durango|Durango]] (1998–2009; 2011–present)
* [[Dodge Journey|Journey]] (2008–present)
{{Div col end}}

===Past models===
{{Div col|cols=3}}
* [[Dodge 100 "Commando"|100 "Commando"]] (1970–1980)
* [[Dodge 330|330]] (1963–1964)
* [[Dodge 400|400]] (1982–1983)
* [[Dodge 50 Series|50 Series]] (1979–1993)
* [[Dodge 500|500]] (1964-unknown)
* [[Dodge 600|600]] (1983–1988)
* [[Dodge A100|A100]] (1964–1970)
* [[Dodge Aries|Aries]] (1981–1989)
* [[Dodge Aspen|Aspen]] (1976–1980)
* [[Dodge B Series|B Series]] (1948–1953)
* [[Dodge C Series|C Series]] (1950–1960)
* [[Dodge Caliber|Caliber]] (2006–2012)
* [[Dodge Charger (B-body)|Charger (B-body)]] (1966–1978)
* [[Dodge (Shelby) Charger (L-body)|(Shelby) Charger (L-body)]] (1983–1987)
* [[Dodge Colt|Colt]] (1971–1994)
* [[Dodge Coronet|Coronet]] (1949–1959, 1965–1976)
* [[Dodge Custom|Custom]] (1946–1948)
* [[Dodge Custom 880|Custom 880]] (1962–1965)
* [[Dodge Custom Royal|Custom Royal]] (1955–1959)
* [[Dodge D Series|D Series]] (1961–1993)
* [[Dodge (Shelby/Shelby Z) Daytona|(Shelby/Shelby Z) Daytona]] (1984–1993)
* [[Dodge Deluxe|Deluxe]] (1946–1948)
* [[Dodge Diplomat|Diplomat]] (1977–1989)
* [[Dodge Dreamer|Dreamer]] (1978-1979)
* [[Dodge Dynasty|Dynasty]] (1988–1993)
* [[Dodge Intrepid|Intrepid]] (1993–2004)
* [[Dodge La Femme|La Femme]] (1955–1956)
* [[Dodge Lancer|Lancer]] (1955–1989)
* [[Dodge Magnum|Magnum]] (1978–1979, 2005–2008)
* [[Dodge Matador|Matador]] (1960)
* [[Dodge Mayfair|Mayfair]] (1953–1959)
* [[Dodge Meadowbrook|Meadowbrook]] (1949–1954)
* [[Dodge Mirada|Mirada]] (1980–1983)
* [[Dodge Monaco|Monaco]] (1965–1978, 1990–1992)
* [[Dodge Neon|Neon]] (1990–2005)
* [[Dodge Nitro|Nitro]] (2006–2012)
* [[Dodge Omni 024|Omni 024]] (1979–1982)
* [[Dodge Omni (GLH)|Omni (GLH)]] (1978–1990)
* [[Dodge Phoenix|Phoenix]] (1960–1973)
* [[Dodge Polara|Polara]] (1960–1973)
* [[Dodge Power Wagon|Power Wagon]] (1945–1980)
* [[Dodge Ram 50|Ram 50]] (1979–1996)
* [[Dodge Ram SRT 10|Ram SRT 10]] (2004-2006)
* [[Dodge Ram Van|Ram Van]] (1971–2003)
* [[Dodge Ramcharger|Ramcharger]] (1974–2001)
* [[Dodge Rampage|Rampage]] (1982–1984)
* [[Dodge Royal|Royal]] (1954–1959)
* [[Dodge Shadow|Shadow]] (1987–1994)
* [[Dodge Sierra|Sierra]] (1955–1956)
* [[Dodge Spirit|Spirit]] (1989–1995)
* [[Dodge Sprinter|Sprinter]] (2004–2009)
* [[Dodge SRT-4|SRT-4]] (2003–2005)
* [[Dodge St. Regis|St. Regis]] (1979–1981)
* [[Dodge Stealth|Stealth]] (1991–1996)
* [[Dodge Stratus|Stratus]] (1995–2006)
* [[Dodge Town Panel and Town Wagon|Town Panel and Town Wagon]] (1954–1966)
* [[Dodge Viper|Viper]] (1992–2010) ([[SRT Viper]] from 2012)
* [[Dodge Wayfarer|Wayfarer]] (1949–1952)
* [[Dodge WC series|WC series]] (1940–1945)
{{Div col end}}

==See also==
{{Div col|cols=2}}
* [[DeSoto (automobile)]]
* [[Plymouth (automobile)]]
* [[Rootes Group]] for the historic Dodge of the UK
* [[Fargo (truck)]]
* [[List of automobile manufacturers]]
* [[List of Dodge automobiles]] for all production cars and trucks
* [[List of Dodge concept vehicles]]
* [[Ram Trucks]]
{{Div col end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==
* Brinkley, Douglas (2004). ''Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, his Company, and a Century of Progress, 1903–2003.'' ISBN 0-14-200439-1.
* Burness, Tad (2001). ''Ultimate Truck & Van Spotter's Guide 1925–1990.'' ISBN 0-87341-969-3.
* {{cite book | author=Gunnell, John, editor | title = The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975 | publisher=Kraus Publications | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-87341-096-3}}
* Gunnell, John A., ed. (1993). ''Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks, Second Edition.'' ISBN 0-87341-238-9.
* Lenzke, James T., ed. (2000) ''Standard Catalog of Chrysler 1914–2000.'' ISBN 0-87341-882-4.
* Ruiz, Marco (1986). ''Japanese Car.'' ISBN 0-517-61777-3.
* Vlasic, Bill and Stertz, Bradley A. (2000). ''Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off with Chrysler.'' ISBN 0-688-17305-5.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dodge vehicles}}
* [http://www.dodge.com/ Dodge USA]
* [http://www.dodge.ca Dodge Canada]
* [http://www.allpar.com/ Allpar Mopar Vehicles]
* [http://fleetdata.co.uk/dodge.html FleetData: ''History of Dodge in the UK'']—website of the Road Transport Fleet Data Society
* [http://ww2dodge.com/ ww2dodge.com]—WW II Dodge Truck History: site for military Dodge's produced 1939–1945
* [http://www.olddodges.com/ Old Dodges.com]—Site devoted to Dodge Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks of the 1960s and 1970s, primarily focusing on the Dodge Bighorn Trucks (1973–1975).

{{Dodge Timeline}}
{{Dodge Truck Timeline}}
{{Dodge}}
{{Chrysler Holding LLC}}
{{Fiat Group}}
{{Navbox
|name = Dodge
|title = <span style="color:white">Dodge</span>
|titlestyle = background:red; color:silver; border:2px solid grey;
|group1= Founded
|list1= 1914
|group2=Current owner
|list2= [[Chrysler Group LLC]]
|group3=Previous owners
|list3= [[The Dodge Brothers]] (1914–1928) {{•}} [[Chrysler Corporation]] (1928–1998) {{•}} [[Daimler Chrysler]] (1998–2007) {{•}} [[Cerberus Capital Management]] (2007–2009)
}}

{{Automotive industry in the United States}}

[[Category:Auburn Hills, Michigan]]
[[Category:Chrysler]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1914]]
[[Category:Dodge| ]]
[[Category:Fiat]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Michigan]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States]]
[[Category:Truck manufacturers]]

Revision as of 19:37, 24 April 2014

dodge is for homos

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Dodge&oldid=605649338"