Dodge was founded by John and Horace Dodge, who began manufacturing bicycles in 1899. They unveiled the first Dodge car in 1914, a touring car that proved a fast favorite with buyers. By 1917 the company's model line had grown to include trucks, and Dodge earned a reputation for ruggedness and reliability. The Chrysler Corp. purchased the brand in 1928. The company’s fortunes started to slip in the 1970s due to changing tastes and increased competition. After years of producing vehicles that offered so-so looks and questionable handling, Chrysler overhauled the Dodge lineup, redesigning many vehicles to offer aggressive styling and above-average performance. Dodge is also looking to Fiat, its latest master since the latest reorganization of Chrysler, to help it build more competitive and efficient small and midsize cars.
