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 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. Moreover, rumors that DeSoto would soon be discontinued did not help sales. Dealer networks
DeSoto-Plymouth dealer on 815 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, ca. 1930–1945
Chrysler's dealer network also had an effect on the termination of the DeSoto brand. Following World War II, Chrysler had a large number of dealers that carried two or more Chrysler makes, with DeSoto-Plymouth and Chrysler–Plymouth relationships being the most common. However, as Chrysler attempted to spin Plymouth off into standalone dealerships, existing dealers typically chose to become higher-volume Plymouth dealerships rather than taking on the slower-selling DeSoto brand, leaving the marque with a weakened dealer network and fewer outlets selling its cars.