Dodge is an iconic American automotive brand, known for producing muscle cars and performance SUVs. The brand logo features a ram, symbolizing strength and ambition. The brand was founded by brothers John Dodge and Horace Dodge in 1914. In 1928, it was acquired by the Chrysler Group and is now part of Stellantis, the world's fourth‑largest automotive group. All Dodge models are designed, developed, and produced in North America. The brand's core values revolve around "Toughness, Performance, and Capability."
In the U.S., Dodge is not only synonymous with muscle cars but also one of the century‑old icons of the American automotive industry. However, under the combined impact of the electrification wave and drastic changes in the brand's internal product strategy, 2025 became an extremely difficult year in Dodge's history. In 2025, Dodge's global shipments (primarily North America) totaled 101,927 units, a year‑on‑year decline of 28%.
Dodge originated as a parts workshop run by two mechanics. In 1914, the Dodge brothers founded the Dodge Motor Company in Hamtramck, Michigan, with an investment of $5 million. The brand's first car rolled off the production line by the end of that year and was named "Old Betsy." In 1919, John Dodge passed away, and Horace Dodge died the following year. After the brothers' deaths, the company was transferred to agents of an investment banking group.
In 1928, Chrysler acquired the Dodge Motor Company, and Dodge officially entered the Chrysler era, becoming the Chrysler Group's best‑selling mainstream brand in North America after the war. Within the Chrysler system, Dodge experienced a long period of product line expansion and racing validation. Iconic models such as the Challenger, Charger, and Durango emerged in succession, and the Hellcat family pushed Dodge's performance to its peak. In 1988, Dodge launched the economy sedan Spectra, which was produced as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product by Hyundai in Korea, and subsequent product lines continued to expand.
In 2014, the Chrysler Group merged with Fiat to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In 2021, it further merged with Groupe PSA, and Dodge was incorporated into the Stellantis system. In 2022, Dodge announced a transition of its entire lineup toward electrification, discontinuing the gasoline versions of the Challenger and Charger. However, subsequent market trends forced a significant slowdown in the pace of electrification.
Durango Mid‑to‑Large SUV: The Durango was Dodge's sales pillar in 2025, with 81,168 units sold for the full year—a significant year‑on‑year increase of 37%, accounting for nearly 80% of Dodge's U.S. market sales. The Durango is equipped with 5.7L HEMI and 6.4L HEMI V8 large‑displacement engines. The 2025 mid‑cycle refresh continued to offer a Hellcat version, preserving the traditional power and wildness of American SUVs in the new energy era.
Hornet Compact SUV: In 2025, Hornet sales suffered a heavy blow, plunging 54% year‑on‑year to just 9,365 units for the full year. This model shares its platform with the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Production of the 2026 model year was paused due to tariffs.
Charger Full‑Size Sedan: In 2025, the Charger entered its generation transition phase, selling 7,421 units of the all‑electric Charger Daytona EV. The gasoline‑powered Charger sold 2,141 units. The electric version did not achieve strong market acceptance, but the gasoline‑powered Sixpack series—equipped with the 3.0T Hurricane inline‑six twin‑turbo engine—will be launched in 2026 to help boost sales.
Challenger Two‑Door Muscle Car: The Challenger was discontinued globally at the end of 2023. In 2025, deliveries were primarily based on remaining inventory from previous production. However, customer demand has not subsided—the Challenger single model completed its product lifecycle in 2024 with 27,056 units sold.
Other Models: Dodge's large sedans such as the Magnum and crossovers such as the Avenger have been discontinued in the North American market for many years. Dodge's pickup truck line has been entirely separated into the Ram brand. In some overseas markets, earlier‑generation Nitro models are sold through the previous import network.
In 2025, Dodge's global market performance suffered a major setback. Shipments in the U.S. market decreased from 141,730 units in 2024 to 101,927 units, a drop of 28%. Over the same period, total sales of the entire Stellantis Group in the U.S. also declined to 1.26 million vehicles, and Dodge's decline was the most significant among the group's major brands.
The distortion in the model sales structure is extremely severe. The Durango alone contributed 81,168 units to the entire brand, accounting for nearly 80% of total sales. The Charger electric version, the Daytona EV, accumulated only 7,421 units in the first three quarters of 2025. After the expiration of the U.S. federal electric vehicle tax credit in the fourth quarter, constraints such as limited charging infrastructure and battery cost issues became apparent, and the model sold only 346 units. In multiple months of the fourth quarter of 2025, monthly sales dropped to the edge of two digits. The 54% drop in Hornet sales caused Dodge's goal of establishing a foothold in the mainstream compact SUV market to fail completely. By comparison, Fiat sold only 1,321 units in the U.S. during the same period, and Alfa Romeo sold 5,652 units, placing Dodge among the two brands with the largest sales declines within the group.
Entering the first quarter of 2026, Dodge delivered 20,797 vehicles to U.S. customers. Dodge management had predicted a potential rebound in 2026, but production of the 2026 Hornet was affected by tariffs and paused until July 2026, making a quick sales recovery unlikely.
HEMI Engine: Since Chrysler first formally applied the HEMI engine in 1948, it has undergone three generations of design iterations, with the hemispherical combustion chamber remaining its core technology. A widening performance gap has emerged between the HEMI and small‑displacement engines such as 2.0T and 2.4T from mainstream competitors. The third‑generation 5.7‑liter HEMI is equipped with MDS (Multi‑Displacement System) technology, with switching time between four‑cylinder and eight‑cylinder modes taking just 0.04 seconds. The third‑generation HEMI has been developed nearly to its technical ceiling. From 2025 to 2026, the Stellantis Group and Dodge brand officially announced the next‑generation fourth‑generation HEMI V8, currently under development. The base displacement will remain in the 5.7L and 6.4L range, while core components will be fully upgraded: plasma spray cylinder bore walls reduce weight by 20%, twin‑scroll turbochargers increase transient response speed by 40%, a 48V mild‑hybrid system adds up to 60 hp when using higher octane fuel, and a hydrogen direct injection system is introduced to sharply reduce carbon emissions.
Hurricane Inline‑6 Twin‑Turbo Engine: To balance emission regulations, Dodge has developed the Hurricane high‑power inline‑six twin‑turbo engine. It was first equipped in the 2025 Charger Sixpack series. The 3.0L twin‑turbocharged version delivers a maximum power output of over 550 hp, with torque exceeding 600 N·m.
STLA Platform: The STLA Large platform is the latest general architecture of the Stellantis Group, compatible with fuel, hybrid, and pure electric powertrains, and accommodating both 400V and 800V electrical architectures. The all‑new sixth‑generation Charger is developed on the STLA Large platform, offering the architectural potential for multi‑powertrain synchronous production on a single platform.
Dodge's global business is heavily concentrated in North America, with its presence in other regions primarily driven through complete vehicle exports.
The Charger Daytona EV is Dodge's first full‑electric production car, launched in 2025 in an attempt to open the brand's electrification transformation window. However, the strategy quickly encountered obstacles. In October 2025, Dodge officially announced the cancellation of the Charger all‑electric top‑spec flagship Banshee project, as costs exceeded customer tolerance limits, while feedback from dealers and consumers instead called for a return of the V8 engine. The Stellantis Group doubled its investment scale in North American domestic production to support the new V8 muscle car development project.
In China, Dodge sells high‑premium models such as the Durango and Charger through imports. Brand awareness is lower than that of other comparable joint venture brands, and overall recognition remains relatively low. In 2025, the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in the Chinese market was approximately 60%. Given the continuous rise in tariffs, the overall trade competitiveness of imported large‑displacement models has been further weakened.
In the Stellantis Group's 2025–2030 medium‑term strategic planning adjustment, Dodge will pursue a pragmatic path where gasoline and hybrid powertrains coexist. The original goal of achieving a fully electric lineup by 2030 has been significantly revised. Group and brand officials have confirmed that the 3.0L inline‑six Charger Sixpack will reach full sales volume within 2026. The return of the V8 engine has essentially been confirmed as a core component of the medium‑term plan. It is expected that five core product lines, including the Charger and Durango, will undergo comprehensive renewals in the second half of 2026, equipped with next‑generation hybrid systems paired with large‑displacement V8 engines. Dodge will maintain a selective approach to electrification, but large‑scale production of pure electric vehicles has been postponed. This strategy allows the brand to meet near‑term emissions compliance goals while preserving sufficient cultural breathing room, enabling Dodge to continue serving as a spiritual totem of "street and track roar" for devoted car enthusiasts.
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