Faced with plummeting sales

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In 1914, they took a bold step by launching their automobile manufacturing company, Dodge Brothers Motor Company. Their first complete car, the Dodge Model 30-35 touring car, was a significant success. The car was known for its durability, power, and innovative features, such as an all-steel body, which was advanced for the time. The Dodge Model 30-35 quickly gained popularity, establishing Dodge as a formidable competitor to Ford and other automakers. The Dodge brothers’ commitment to quality and innovation paid off. By the late 1910s, Dodge was America’s second best-selling car brand, behind only Ford.


However, tragedy struck in 1920 when both John and Horace Dodge passed away due to buy pharmaceutical industry email list complications from influenza. Despite their untimely deaths, the Dodge brothers’ legacy lived on through their company, which continued to thrive under the leadership of their widows. In 1925, the brothers’ widows sold the Dodge Brothers Motor Company to the investment group Dillon, Read & Co. for $146 million, one of the most significant transactions in the automotive industry. Just three years later, in 1928, Dodge was sold again to the newly formed Chrysler Corporation in a $170 million stock transfer.


Under Chrysler’s ownership, the Dodge brand continued to evolve, maintaining its reputation for producing reliable, powerful vehicles. Chrysler The acquisition of Dodge by Chrysler Corporation in 1928 marked a significant turning point in the history of both companies. Dodge, already a well-established and respected brand known for its durable and powerful vehicles, brought substantial value to Chrysler, significantly boosting its sales and revenue. In 1998, Chrysler Corporation entered a new phase in its history by merging with the German automaker Daimler-Benz AG, forming DaimlerChrysler. This merger was initially hailed as a strategic alliance that would create a global automotive powerhouse, combining the strengths of Chrysler’s American brands, including Dodge, with Daimler-Benz’s luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz.