Who Owns Dodge?

Who owns Dodge? Dodge is owned by Stellantis N.V., an automotive corporation created through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot Société Anonyme (PSA Group).

Stellantis N.V. is a multinational company with diverse stakeholders, including individual and institutional investors. Stellantis manages Dodge’s operations, ensuring the brand continues its legacy of producing high-performance vehicles and muscle cars.

Dodge, a name closely associated with American muscle and automotive innovation, has a rich history dating back to its founding in the early 20th century. Initially established by the Dodge brothers, the brand has experienced various ownership changes, reflecting the evolving nature of the global automotive industry.

Today, Dodge operates under the Stellantis umbrella, established in 2021. As a subsidiary of Stellantis, Dodge benefits from the company’s resources and expertise while maintaining its unique identity and brand image.

Top Dodge Institutional Shareholders

Stellantis NV

In January 2021, the PSA Group, which then owned the Peugeot automobile brand, officially merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). This merger formed Stellantis, a multinational automotive company. Stellantis is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker ‘STLA’.

Stellantis N.V. is now a major global automotive company, created from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group. This merger established Stellantis as one of the world’s largest automakers, bringing together a wide range of brands under one corporate umbrella. Among these brands is Dodge, which was previously part of FCA.

Stellantis is a European corporation headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a diverse ownership structure. Both individual and institutional investors, including investment firms, pension funds, and other financial institutions, hold stakes in the company. As a publicly traded company, Stellantis provides opportunities for a broad range of shareholders to invest and participate in its ownership.

According to MarketScreener, 76.44% of Stellantis shares are publicly traded, offering liquidity and investment opportunities to the public. Each share of Stellantis N.V. grants one vote, meaning shareholders’ influence is proportional to the number of shares they own. 

Exor N.V., with 449,410,092 shares, holds a significant 15.16% stake in Stellantis, making it the largest shareholder. The Peugeot Family, with 224,228,121 shares valued at approximately €3.738 billion, owns 7.563% of the total outstanding shares, making them the second-largest shareholder.

History of Dodge Ownership

The Dodge Brothers 

The Dodge brothers, John Francis and Horace Elgin Dodge, were pioneers in the American automotive industry. Before venturing into automobiles, they built a solid reputation as skilled machinists and entrepreneurs in the bicycle industry.

In the late 19th century, they founded the Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company in Windsor, Ontario, producing high-quality bicycles known for their durability and precision. This early success in the bicycle business laid the foundation for their future endeavors in the rapidly growing automotive industry.

In the early 1900s, the Dodge brothers transitioned from bicycles to automobiles, recognizing the rapidly growing demand for motor vehicles. They established a machine shop in Detroit, where they began manufacturing precision engine and automobile components for various automakers, most notably the Ford Motor Company. Their expertise in producing reliable and high-quality parts quickly made them one of the leading suppliers in the industry.

By 1910, the Dodge brothers had become significant players in the automotive supply chain, but were not content to remain in the background. 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 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. The merger aimed to leverage design, manufacturing, and global market presence synergies.

However, the merger could have gone better. By 2007, Daimler-Benz had grown increasingly frustrated with the performance of its American division and decided to sell its Chrysler subsidiary. The sale included the Dodge brand, which remained a crucial part of Chrysler’s portfolio. Cerberus aimed to restructure and revitalize Chrysler, but the timing could not have been worse.

The global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 hit the automotive industry hard, and Chrysler was not immune. Faced with plummeting sales and mounting financial losses, Chrysler and Dodge filed for bankruptcy.

In 2009, Italian automaker Fiat S.p.A. stepped in, forming a strategic partnership with Chrysler. This partnership was part of a broader effort to rescue Chrysler from bankruptcy and ensure its long-term viability.

Under CEO Sergio Marchionne’s leadership, Fiat gradually increased its stake in Chrysler, eventually taking complete control. During this period, Dodge remained an integral part of Chrysler, with the brand continuing to produce popular vehicles, particularly in the muscle car and truck segments.

In 2014, the partnership between Fiat and Chrysler LLC officially led to a complete merger of the two companies, creating Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). This merger brought together a diverse portfolio of brands under one corporate umbrella, including Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat.

Under FCA, Dodge benefited from Fiat’s global reach and resources, allowing the brand to expand its presence in international markets while focusing on its core strengths in the U.S. market.

The most recent and significant development in the history of Dodge ownership occurred on January 16, 2021, when FCA merged with the PSA Group, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroën, and several other European brands. The merger resulted in the creation of Stellantis.

Under Stellantis, Dodge continues to operate as a distinct brand known for its high-performance vehicles, particularly in the muscle car segment with models like the Dodge Challenger and Charger. Stellantis has committed to preserving Dodge’s legacy while positioning the brand for the future, including potential developments in electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.

Conclusion

Dodge is owned by Stellantis N.V., a multinational automotive company formed by merging Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA. Before this merger, Dodge was part of FCA’s portfolio, including well-known brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram.

Stellantis is now Dodge’s parent company, overseeing its operations and strategic direction as the brand continues to produce reliable, performance-driven vehicles for consumers worldwide.

As the automotive industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how Stellantis positions Dodge within its brand lineup and how the brand adapts to changing consumer preferences and market conditions.