Title: DeSoto (automobile) - Dodge Wiki
Headings: DeSoto (automobile)
DeSoto (automobile)
Contents
1929–1942
Gallery
1946–1960
Gallery
1961
Termination factors
Recession
Dealer networks
Brand management and marketing
"The Final DeSoto"
DeSoto trucks
Models
Advertising
DeSoto in films
DeSoto in pop culture
See also
References
External links

Content: DeSoto (automobile) - Dodge Wiki
DeSoto (automobile)
From Dodge Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
1952 DeSoto DeLuxe hood ornament. The DeSoto (sometimes De Soto) was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto. Contents
1 1929–1942
1.1 Gallery
2 1946–1960
2.1 Gallery
3 1961
4 Termination factors
4.1 Recession
4.2 Dealer networks
4.3 Brand management and marketing
4.4 "The Final DeSoto"
5 DeSoto trucks
6 Models
7 Advertising
8 DeSoto in films
9 DeSoto in pop culture
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
1929–1942
1929 DeSoto, the first model year of DeSoto
The DeSoto make was founded by Walter P. Chrysler on August 4, 1928, and introduced for the 1929 model year. It was named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Chrysler wanted to enter the brand in competition with its arch-rivals General Motors, Studebaker, and Willys-Knight, in the mid-price class. Shortly after DeSoto was introduced, however, Chrysler completed its purchase of the Dodge Brothers, giving the company two mid-priced makes. Had the transaction been completed sooner, DeSoto never would have been introduced. Initially, the two-make strategy was relatively successful, with DeSoto priced below Dodge models. Despite the economic times, DeSoto sales were relatively healthy, pacing Dodge at around 25,000 units in 1932.