Dodge
(This article is about the automotive trademark. For other usages, see Dodge (disambiguation).)
Dodge is an automobile and light to heavy duty truck brand name.
History
In 1901 John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge moved their Dodge Brothers Bicycle & Machine Factory to Detroit, Michigan. Their bearings and other parts were in demand with the early automobile industry, and they helped design motor parts for early Oldsmobiles.
In 1902 the Dodge Brothers were approached by Henry Ford, who was looking for help in financing his own automobile company. Dodge Brothers helped finance the start of the Ford Motor Company as well as manufacturing parts for early Fords, to Ford and the Dodge Brothers mutual financial benefit.
In 1914 the Dodge Brothers started their own auto company. Early models had some similarities to the Ford Model T, but with such refinements as electric rather than crank start, as were becoming popular with the middle class. The new Dodge cars were a commercial success.
Dodge Brothers 4 Door Sedan
from a 1920 magazine advertisement
In 1917 Dodge Brothers began building motor trucks as well, at first for use by the United States Army during World War I, then commercially after the war's end.
In 1925 the Dodge Brothers Company was purchased by Dillon, Read and Company for 146 million dollars, said to be the largest cash transaction in history up to that time. Dillon Read & Co. in turn sold Dodge to the Chrysler Corporation on July 31, 1928.
Dodge is now part of the DaimlerChrysler company.
See also: List of automobiles
