Written by Dodge cars
Dodge cars have been built in America since 1914, and the brand is best known for muscle cars such as the Charger, the Challenger and the Viper. This guide covers the current Dodge lineup, as well as the brand’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history.
Dodge cars at a Glance
Founded 1900 Dodge Brothers machine shop, Detroit; first car 1914
Founders John and Horace Dodge Brothers from Niles, Michigan
Headquarters Auburn Hills Michigan, USA
Owner Stellantis Since 2021; part of Chrysler since 1928
US sales 2025 101,927 About 80% were Durangos
Leadership Matt McAlear Dodge CEO since June 2024
Dodge cars Model Lineup
Dodge cars now come in a small range, so the list below shows every model on sale in 2026. The new Charger is offered with electric power or with a gas straight-six, while the Durango SUV still offers Hemi V8 engines. However, the Italian-built Hornet was dropped in 2026 because of US tariffs, and the Challenger ended in 2023.
Muscle cars (2)
Muscle car
Dodge Charger Sixpack
Gas Twin-turbo six Coupe & sedan
The gas-powered Charger uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six called the Hurricane, with up to 550 hp in the Scat Pack. It went into production in December 2025, and the Charger was named 2026 North American Car of the Year.
Electric muscle car
Dodge Charger Daytona
Electric All-wheel drive Coupe & sedan
The Charger Daytona is the electric version, while its Scat Pack produces 670 hp. Production began in Windsor, Ontario, in December 2024, although sales have been slow.
SUVs (2)
Three-row SUV
Dodge Durango
Gas V6 or Hemi V8 All-wheel drive
Today the Durango is Dodge’s best-seller, because it sold 81,168 sold in the US in 2025. It is built in Detroit, and in 2026 the R/T 392 brought back the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp.
Performance SUV
Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
Gas Supercharged V8 710 hp
The SRT Hellcat is the fastest Durango, because its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produces 710 hp. In 2026 it became available in all 50 states.
What Are Dodge cars?
Dodge cars come from the company that brothers John and Horace Dodge founded as a machine shop in Detroit on 14 December 1900. At first they supplied parts to other car makers, especially Ford, and then in 1914 they built their own car. Sadly, both brothers died in 1920, so the company was sold to bankers Dillon, Read & Co. in 1925.
In 1928 Chrysler bought Dodge, and it remained a Chrysler brand for decades. Later, the Charger, the Challenger and the Viper made Dodge famous for muscle cars, while the Caravan minivan of 1984 created a new kind of family car. In 2010, Dodge trucks were split off as the separate Ram brand.
Today Dodge cars are made by Stellantis, the group formed in 2021, and the brand focuses on performance. It sold 101,927 vehicles in the US in 2025, while the Durango made up about 80% of them. Meanwhile, the new Charger is offered with both electric and gas power.
Dodge cars History
Dodge cars grew from a Detroit machine shop into America’s best-known muscle car brand.
- 1900 John and Horace Dodge open their machine shop in Detroit on 14 December.
- 1914 Then the first Dodge Brothers car goes on sale.
- 1920 Both Dodge brothers die, John in January and Horace in December.
- 1925 As a result, bankers Dillon, Read & Co. buy the company.
- 1928 Chrysler then buys Dodge for $170 million in stock.
- 1953 Meanwhile, Lee Petty gives Dodge its first NASCAR win.
- 1966 Later, the first Charger goes on sale.
- 1969 The winged Charger Daytona is built for NASCAR, while the Charger becomes a TV star as the General Lee.
- 1970 The Challenger debuts, and Buddy Baker becomes the first NASCAR driver over 200 mph.
- 1983 The Caravan minivan is launched, so the minivan era begins.
- 1992 Finally, the V10-powered Viper RT/10 reaches customers.
- 2008 After 34 years, the Challenger returns as a modern muscle car.
- 2015 Then the Hellcat brings a 707 hp supercharged Hemi V8.
- 2021 Stellantis is formed, so it becomes Dodge’s new owner.
- 2023 The Challenger and the old Charger end production, while the 1,025 hp Demon 170 says goodbye.
- 2026 The new gas Charger is named North American Car of the Year, and the Durango gets the 392 Hemi again.
Iconic Dodge Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Dodge cars, from the first Dodge Brothers car to a drag-racing record breaker.
1914
Dodge Brothers touring car
First Dodge Four-cylinder
When it arrived, the first Dodge Brothers car was a sturdy four-cylinder touring car. It also earned a reputation for reliability, so the company grew quickly.
1969
Dodge Charger “General Lee”
TV star The Dukes of Hazzard
Later, the orange 1969 Charger became the star of The Dukes of Hazzard. Between 255 and 325 cars were used in the show, and only about 17 originals survive.
1969
Dodge Charger Daytona
NASCAR special Tall wing
The Charger Daytona had a pointed nose and a tall rear wing, because Dodge wanted to win on NASCAR’s fast tracks. Only 503 were built, and one became the first car over 200 mph in NASCAR.
1970–1974
Dodge Challenger
Muscle car Pony car
When the first Challenger arrived in 1970, 76,925 were sold in its first year alone. In total, 165,437 were built before it ended in 1974.
1992
Dodge Viper RT/10
V10 Roadster
The Viper RT/10 had an 8.0-liter V10 with 400 hp, while it had almost no driver aids. As a result, it became America’s wildest sports car, and about 32,000 Vipers were built until 2017.
2018
Challenger SRT Demon
840 hp Drag racer
The Demon was built especially for drag racing, and it produced 840 hp. Later, the Demon 170 of 2023 reached 1,025 hp on E85 fuel and ran the quarter mile in 8.91 seconds.
Who Owns Dodge cars?
Dodge is a brand of Stellantis, the group formed in 2021 by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA. It was part of Chrysler from 1928, so it has shared factories and engines with Chrysler brands for almost a century. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Parent company Stellantis Hoofddorp, Netherlands · CEO Antonio Filosa since 2025
This page Dodge Auburn Hills, Michigan
Sub-brand SRT Street and Racing Technology performance models
Parts brand Direct Connection Performance parts and racing
Plant Windsor, Ontario Builds the Charger
Plant Detroit, Michigan Builds the Durango
Sister brands
Dodge shares platforms, engines and factories with other Stellantis brands, especially Chrysler, Jeep and Ram.
- Chrysler (same CEO as Dodge since March 2026)
- Ram (Dodge trucks became Ram in 2010)
- Jeep (shares the Durango’s platform with the Grand Cherokee)
- Alfa Romeo (the Hornet was a sister of the Tonale)
In addition, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear also became CEO of Chrysler and head of Alfa Romeo in North America in March 2026.
Former owners
- Dillon, Read & Co. (1925–1928) The bankers who bought Dodge after the brothers died.
- Chrysler Corporation (1928–1998) Dodge became one of Chrysler’s main brands.
- DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) The German-American merger, which ended in 2007.
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (2014–2021) The Fiat-led group that merged with PSA to form Stellantis.
Dodge cars Accomplishments
The record of Dodge cars rests on raw power, record-breaking muscle cars and a long history in American racing.
200 mph
First NASCAR driver past 200
Buddy Baker passed 200 mph in a Charger Daytona at Talladega on 24 March 1970.
1,025 hp
Challenger SRT Demon 170
In 2023 the Demon 170 ran the quarter mile in 8.91 seconds, so it was called the fastest-accelerating production car.
3
Le Mans class wins in a row
The Viper GTS-R won the GTS class at Le Mans in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and it also won the 2000 Daytona 24 Hours outright.
32,000
Vipers built
In total, the Viper was built in five generations from 1991 to 2017.
5
NASCAR Cup drivers’ titles
David Pearson (1966), Bobby Isaac (1970), Richard Petty (1974 and 1975) and Brad Keselowski (2012) won Cup titles in Dodges.
1983
The first minivan
The Dodge Caravan helped create the minivan, and Chrysler minivans have since sold more than 14 million.
2026
North American Car of the Year
Most recently, the new Charger won the award in January 2026.
707 hp
Hellcat engine
In 2015 the supercharged Hellcat V8 made Dodge’s muscle cars the most powerful of their kind.
Dodge Racing History
Dodge cars have raced in NASCAR since the 1950s, especially at fast tracks such as Daytona and Talladega. The Viper also won its class at the Circuit de la Sarthe, while Dodge Hellcat Funny Cars race in NHRA drag racing today, driven by four-time champion Matt Hagan.
Stock car racing
Dodge in NASCAR
5 Cup titles 200 mph first
Dodge won its first NASCAR race in 1953 with Lee Petty, and the winged Charger Daytona was the first car past 200 mph. Brad Keselowski then won the 2012 Cup title in a Dodge, just before Dodge left the sport.
Le Mans and GT racing
Viper GTS-R
3 Le Mans class wins 2000 Daytona win
The Viper GTS-R, run by Oreca, won the GTS class at Le Mans three years in a row from 1998. In addition, it won the 2000 Daytona 24 Hours outright.
Talk Dodge With Other Owners
Dodge owners have plenty to share, whether it is a classic Charger or a Hellcat Durango. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Dodge community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Hemi and Hellcat power
- Classic muscle car restoration
- Charger Sixpack and Daytona EV
- Maintenance and repairs
- Drag racing
- Buying used
- Dodge clubs and events
- Viper ownership
Dodge cars FAQ
Who owns Dodge?
Dodge is owned by Stellantis, the group formed in 2021. Before that, it belonged to Chrysler from 1928, then DaimlerChrysler and Fiat Chrysler.
Is the Dodge Challenger discontinued?
Yes. The last Challenger was built on 22 December 2023 in Brampton, Ontario. Instead, the new two-door Charger now fills its role.
Is the new Dodge Charger electric?
It can be either. The Charger Daytona is electric, while the Charger Sixpack uses a gas twin-turbo straight-six, and both share the same body.
Where are Dodge cars made?
The Charger is built in Windsor, Ontario, and the Durango is built in Detroit, Michigan. Earlier, the Challenger was built in Brampton, Ontario.
What is the difference between Dodge and Ram?
Ram used to be Dodge’s pickup truck line, but it became a separate brand in 2010. As a result, Dodge now sells cars and SUVs, while Ram sells trucks.
What is the best-selling Dodge?
The Durango SUV is Dodge’s best-seller, with 81,168 sold in the US in 2025, about 80% of the brand’s total.
Who founded Dodge?
Brothers John and Horace Dodge founded the company in Detroit in 1900. They built their first car in 1914, but both died in 1920.
Is Dodge in NASCAR?
Not since 2012. However, its sister brand Ram returned to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026, while Dodge still races in NHRA drag racing.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare Dodge cars with its sister brands and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T electric muscle…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Dodge Charger Scat Pack coupe: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Dodge Durango GT three-row SUV: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Jailbreak: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 1915 Dodge Brothers touring car: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Replica of the 1969 Dodge Charger General…: Zytonits, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona with its tall…: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T at the Street…: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- NASCAR-style 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona at the…: PSParrot from England, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Viper GTS-R at the 24 Hours of…: Vvdberg at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.