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: Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, which had been forced to take possession of DeSotos under the terms of their franchise agreements, received no compensation from Chrysler for their unsold DeSotos at the time of the formal announcement. Making matters worse, Chrysler continued to ship the cars through December, many of which were sold at a loss by dealers eager to be rid of them. After the parts stock was exhausted, a few outstanding customer orders were filled with Chrysler Windsors. Termination factors
Despite being a successful mid-priced line for Chrysler motors for most of its life, DeSoto's failure was attributable to a combination of corporate mistakes and external factors beyond Chrysler's control. The Chrysler marque (under post-war pressures from consumers in the market) was essentially moved by customers' changing market tastes from a luxury automaker to a mid-priced brand when Chrysler itself launched the separate Imperial brand in 1954 for the 1955 model year. The mid-priced market segment was already filled with brands made by rivals Ford and General Motors, plus Chrysler's own Newport model. Most DeSoto models were merged into the new Chrysler Newport in 1961. Recession
The 1958 recession seriously affected demand for mid-priced automobile makes. DeSoto sales were particularly affected, and sales failed to recover in 1959 and 1960. With falling sales, the 1959 and 1960 models were very similar to the concurrent Chryslers.