Title: DeSoto (automobile) - Wikipedia
Headings: DeSoto (automobile)
DeSoto (automobile)
Contents
1929–1942
1929–1942 gallery
1946–1960
1946–1960 gallery
1961
Termination factors
Recession
Dealer networks
Brand management and marketing
DeSoto trucks
Models
Advertising
Motorsport
See also
References
External links

Content: The marque was named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States (Florida, Georgia and Alabama) and was the first documented European to have crossed the Mississippi River. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of the explorer. In 1929 a total of 81,065 single-model DeSotos were produced, a first-year record in the U.S. until eclipsed by the 1960 Ford Falcon. However, shortly after the DeSoto was introduced, Chrysler completed its purchase of Dodge Brothers, giving the company two mid-priced makes. Initially, the two-make strategy was relatively successful, with DeSoto priced below Dodge models. Despite the economic times, DeSoto sales were relatively healthy, equaling Dodge at around 25,000 units in 1932. In 1933, Chrysler reversed the market positions of the two marques in hopes of boosting Dodge sales. The DeSoto received Chrysler's streamlined 1934 Airflow bodies, but on a shorter wheelbase; the design proved unpopular with consumers. Unlike Chrysler, which still had more traditional models on which to fall back, DeSoto was hobbled by the Airflow design until its 1935 Airstream arrived.