10 Interesting Facts About Chrysler

Chrysler is part of Stellantis, a multinational automotive conglomerate formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group (Peugeot) in January 2021. Stellantis now owns multiple iconic brands, including Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram.

Before the merger, Chrysler had a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in 1925 by Walter Chrysler. Over the years, the company went through several ownership changes, including a merger with Daimler-Benz in 1998 and then being part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles after Fiat acquired a stake in Chrysler in 2009.

Revenue:

While Chrysler no longer holds the dominant position it once did in the American car market, it remains competitive in certain segments, especially family-oriented vehicles like minivans.

Chrysler’s revenue, as part of the Stellantis Group, contributed to the conglomerate’s total revenue of €179.6 billion in 2023. Although the Chrysler brand doesn’t break out individual revenue figures separately, it remains an important brand within Stellantis’ North American operations, with the Chrysler Pacifica continuing to be one of the top-selling minivans in the U.S. market.

Interesting Facts About Chrysler:

1. Founded in 1925: Chrysler was founded by Walter Chrysler, a former General Motors executive, and quickly grew to become one of the “Big Three” American automakers.
2. Chrysler Building in NYC: The famous Chrysler Building in New York City, an Art Deco icon, was the world’s tallest building when it was completed in 1930, a title it held for a brief time.
3. Merger with Daimler-Benz: In 1998, Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz to form DaimlerChrysler. The merger was intended to create a global automotive powerhouse but ended in 2007 when the companies split.
4. Saved by Government Bailout: Chrysler has twice required government bailouts to survive, first in 1979 and again during the 2008 financial crisis. In both cases, Chrysler repaid its loans ahead of schedule.
5. Chrysler 300 “Gangster” Car: The Chrysler 300, first introduced in 2004, became popular for its bold, aggressive design. It’s frequently featured in movies and TV shows, especially in gangster and crime dramas.
6. Imperial Legacy: Chrysler’s Imperial line, introduced in 1926, was designed to compete with Cadillac and Lincoln in the luxury car market and became a symbol of American automotive luxury in its heyday.
7. Astonishingly Fast Muscle Car: Chrysler’s Dodge division produced some of the most powerful American muscle cars, including the Dodge Charger Hellcat and Challenger Hellcat, equipped with supercharged Hemi engines capable of producing over 700 horsepower.
8. First Modern Minivan: Chrysler holds the distinction of creating the modern minivan with the launch of the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan in 1983, fundamentally changing family transportation.
9. Most Powerful Sedan: The Chrysler 300 SRT8, released in the early 2010s, held the record for being one of the most powerful sedans of its time, with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine delivering 470 horsepower.
10. First Plug-in Hybrid Minivan: Chrysler launched the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, the first hybrid minivan available in the U.S., setting a precedent for electrification in this segment.

Famous Owners of Chrysler:

1. Barack Obama:
   • Car: Chrysler 300C.
   • Location: The former U.S. president was seen driving a Chrysler 300C before he entered the White House. The car was auctioned for $271,300 in 2012.
   • Date: Pre-presidency, around 2007.
2. Clint Eastwood:
   • Car: Chrysler 300.
   • Location: The legendary actor and director has been seen driving a Chrysler 300 in California.
   • Date: Regularly spotted in the early 2010s.
3. Eminem:
   • Car: Chrysler 200.
   • Location: Featured in Chrysler’s famous “Imported from Detroit” Super Bowl commercial, driving through Detroit streets.
   • Date: 2011.
4. Jay Leno:
   • Car: Chrysler Turbine Car.
   • Location: Jay Leno owns a 1963 Chrysler Turbine, one of only a few surviving models, a highly experimental car from the 1960s.
   • Date: Seen in Leno’s Garage, various episodes.
5. John Legend:
   • Car: Chrysler Pacifica.
   • Location: John Legend appeared in a commercial for the Chrysler Pacifica, promoting its family-friendly features.
   • Date: 2020, in a Super Bowl ad.