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Commit these Dodge facts to memory and impress your customers
Dodge is known as a great American automobile brand and hailed for their workhorse trucks and cool sports cars. If you currently sell Dodge vehicles, you already know you need to study up on all the specs because most customers looking for a Dodge don’t just need a car—they appreciate and enjoy the mechanics as well.
Need another way to close deals with Dodge customers, though? Take a look at (and memorize) the list of Dodge facts below. Chances are, there are some fascinating Dodge facts they’ve never heard before—and some may be just what you need to create a genuine appreciation for the brand and its history.
Dodge facts to help you boost your sales
1. Dodge has a long history.
The Dodge Brothers Motor Company was founded by John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge in 1913. The brothers grew up in Michigan and began their careers as machinists.
2. Dodge started out on two wheels.
Horace Dodge invented a four-point, dirt proof, adjustable bicycle ball bearing. In 1897, the brothers teamed up with Fred Evans and formed the Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company.
3. Dodge had a hand in Fords and Oldsmobiles
Only a few years later, in 1900, the Dodge brothers sold their bicycle business and opened a machine shop in Detroit. Their goal was to make parts for the new auto industry. In 1901, they produced engines for Oldsmobile vehicles; they also built engines, transmissions, and axles for Henry Ford.
4. There’s more to smart business than cash.
Henry Ford didn’t have the funds to pay the Dodge brothers entirely in cash, so he paid them with stock in Ford Motor Company. That ended up being a great deal—they sold the stock back to Ford in 1919 for $25 million.
5. The first Dodge vehicle debuted in November 1914.
It was a four-cylinder touring car called the Dodge 30, and it was the first all-steel car. Dodge sold almost 250 vehicles the first year, and 45,000 the second year.
6. Dodge is responsible for the word “dependability” being a thing.
The company’s PR guy thought “dependable” was boring, so he turned it into “dependability” and it took off in a Dodge print campaign.
7. Dodge is a car for all seasons.
In fact, Dodge invented the first winterized car. It had a removable hardtop and snap-on side glass.
8. Dodge is no rookie when it comes to trucks.
Dodge added trucks to its vehicle line-up in 1917.
9. Dodge is unique.
The first trademark feature on Dodge Touring and Roadster models were six hexagonal windows in the back of each passenger cabin; they called them cathedral lights.
10. Both brothers died in 1920 when they were in their 50s.
The two fell ill with the flu and pneumonia while visiting New York City for an auto expo in January 1920—John died that month, and Horace passed away from complications in December.
11. After John and Horace had died, the company was sold to Dillon, Read & Co. for $146 million in 1925.
In 1928, Walter Chrysler bought Dodge for $170 million, automatically making Chrysler Corporation the world’s third-largest automaker.
12. There are a lot of them on the road.
By 1925, there were one million Dodge vehicles on the road.
13. Dodge knows specialty.
In 1950, Dodge released a car named La Femme, which was created just for women. It had rosebud-dotted upholstery and came with a purse. They released another unique car in 1956 that was only for sale in Texas, called the Coronet Texan. It had a nicer interior than the basic Coronet and featured special “Texan” badges in select locations.
14. It’s got some serious horsepower.
Dodge made the most powerful American production car ever with 707 horsepower—their 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
15. Dodge goes diesel.
The 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 was the first compact pickup to offer a diesel engine.
16. The Dodge Ram is a workhorse.
The Dodge Ram 3500 Heavy Duty model has a 37,600 Gross Combined Weight Rating, with a payload that nears 30,000 pounds. It’s capable of towing more than three times its own weight.
17. People love Dodge.
In 2016, Strategic Vision named the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Durango to its list of “Most Loved Vehicles in America.”
18. Dodge makes a great SUV.
The 2017 Dodge Durango was awarded Large SUV Best Buy for the fifth consecutive year by Consumer Guide Automotive.
19. The Dodge Charger is a good buy.
For the third year in a row, the 2017 Dodge Charger earned the Residual Value Award in the “Full-size” category from ALG.
While you may be currently committed to selling the Dodge brand, chances are, you’ll sell a few other auto makes and models in your lifetime as well. If you want to become a successful salesperson in the auto industry, go the extra mile and don’t just learn Dodge facts—learn facts about as many other brands as possible. Get started with memorizing these lists for Honda, Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Nissan, Subaru, and Volkswagen.
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