Dodge® Brand History
If you are keen on learning more about the history of Dodge, our guide can help you get started. As your local Dodge® car and truck dealer, our experts at Express Auto have created this guide to provide you with an overview of how the company came into being. Read on to learn more, and then visit our dealership to explore a few models yourself. We are in multiple locations throughout Michigan, and we are happy to welcome our friends from Grand Rapids and Western Michigan.
The Beginning
In the 1890s, brothers John and Horace Dodge started building bicycles. After receiving a patent for dirt-resistant bicycle bearing, they teamed up with Fred Evans and started the Evans and Dodge Bicycle Company near Windsor, Canada.
The Early 1900s
In 1901, the Dodge brothers moved to Detroit after selling their interest in the bicycle company. There, they opened a machine shop and started building and repairing automobiles. Soon after, in 1903, they got together with Henry Ford and his motor company.
In 1914, they launched their own automobile company using their newfound experience and passion for producing products that were a cut above the rest. Dodge quickly became the third best-selling car maker in the United States, and they also started supplying for the United States Army during World War I. However, in 1920, both John and Horace succumbed to the influenza pandemic only 11 months apart. Even then, the company continued to create success stories, becoming the second best-selling car brand in 1921 with 81,000 units in production.
Subsequent Conquests
During the Great Depression, Dodge started building independent front suspension and rust-proof car bodies. Not only did they survive the event, but they also thrived and went on to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 1939. Though they briefly ceased their production of passenger cars and focused on vehicles for use in World War II, manufacturing started once the war ended.
The Later Years
After a hundred years in the industry, Dodge, today, is America’s leading car and truck brand, producing various popular models, including the Dodge Durango®, Dodge Challenger®, Dodge Grand Caravan®, and the powerful Ram trucks.
Are you ready to go shopping for Dodge cars? Visit Express Auto, where we have a fine selection of models from the brand for sale. We have dealerships at multiple locations in Michigan, and we proudly serve Grand Rapids and Western Michigan.