Dodge Ram to Become Separate Brand,

As was previously rumored, the Chrysler Group will split Dodge’s lineup into two different brands, one for all of Dodge’s passenger vehicles, and the other comprised of Dodge’s truck models.

“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge brand, which now consists of the Dodge Ram brand and the Dodge Car brand organizations,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group CEO. “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge brand.”

Heading up the newly established Ram brand is Fred Diaz Jr., who was also appointed the new executive of Chrysler’s U.S. sales. The Ram brand will consist of the entire Ram lineup, the Dakota, and possibly a Fiat-sourced replacement for the Daimler-built Sprinter van.

Chrysler also announced an array of new appointments throughout the company. Dodge Cars is now under the control of Ralph Gilles, who will still retain his previous position as Chrysler Group’s design chief. At the Chrysler brand, Oliver Francois assumes the position of brand CEO from Peter Fong. In addition to his Chrysler duties, Francois will also remain the CEO of Fiat’s Lancia brand.

Dodge's Photos

Profile : Dodge Company

Chrysler Corporation's Dodge brand was founded in 1914 by brothers John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge. After a stint supplying the early automobile industry in Detroit such as the fledgling Ford Motor Co., the brothers found their own car company, the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Co. Besides cars, Dodge also developed and manufactured trucks, first for the U.S. Army, then for commercial use.

Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company was purchased in 1925 by the Dillon, Read & Co., an investment bank. It would later sell the company to Chrysler Corporation in 1928 where it has remained since. In 1998, Chrysler would merge with Daimler-Benz to form DaimlerChrysler.


The Dodge brand, both in the U.S. and worldwide, is primarily known for its trucks. Examples include the Dakota and the Ram. Notable exceptions, mostly cars, include the Colt, which was discontinued in 1994; the Charger, which debuted in 1966 as a coupe and returned as a four-door in 2006; and the Viper roadster. Dodge recently released the Caliber and Nitro SUVs to capitalize on the crossover craze.


Future vehicles either in the works or waiting for approval include the 2008 Dodge Challenger, a near-faithful reproduction of the original 1970 coupe, and Dodge Demon Concept, another roadster to compete against GM's Pontiac Solstice and the Mazda Miata/MX-5.

Dodge, as part of the Chrysler Corporation, is on sale by Daimler-Benz as the German automaker seeks to divest itself of its American holdings.

2009 Dodge Avenger Specifications
2,360 cc 2.4 liters in-line 4 front engine with 88.0 mm bore, 97.0 mm stroke, 10.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder ED3
Unleaded fuel 87
Fuel economy
Multi-point injection fuel system
16.9 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 14.1
Power: 129 kW , 173 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 166 ft lb , 225 Nm @ 4,400 rpm