Dodge Review

In 1901, when the Dodge brothers (John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge) moved their Bicycle & Machine Factory to Detroit, Michigan, they probably didn't know they would one day be one of the best known American car makers. At the time, their bearings and other parts were in demand with the early automobile industry, and they helped design motor parts for early Oldsmobiles.

In 1902, Henry Ford approached the Dodge brothers for help in financing his own automobile company, which they did, as well as manufacturing parts for early Fords, to everyone's mutual benefit. Twelve years later, the brothers opened the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company, and selected 50 dealers to represent their line, based on applications received from around the country. Some of those dealers remain successful even today. In 1917 the Dodge Brothers sued the Ford company, which increased their revenue, and started building motor trucks.

In 1925 the company was purchased by Dillon, Read & Company for a $148 million, which was said to be the largest cash transaction in history (up to that time). Three years later, Dodge was sold again, this time to Chrysler. Dodge today is still a part of Chrysler (now DaimlerChrysler), and is known primarily for its trucks - so much so that they account for 78% of sales.

The company represented by the ram logo is trying to change that, however, with the Charger and Challenger. It's also been re-branding itself in Europe, pushing the new Dodge viper. Dodge says it's "ram tough" and its history supports this.