États-Unis
Chrysler
Chrysler is an American automaker founded on June 6, 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler in Detroit, Michigan, out of the reorganization of the Maxwell Motor Company. Walter Chrysler, an engineer by training, had first launched the first automobile bearing his name in January 1924, praised for its technical modernity. As early as 1928, the young Chrysler Corporation acquired Dodge Brothers and created the Plymouth and DeSoto brands, establishing itself as one of Detroit's "Big Three" alongside General Motors and Ford. Throughout the 20th century, Chrysler stood out for several innovations and for creating the modern family minivan segment in 1983-1984, built at the Windsor plant in Ontario. The brand nonetheless went through a turbulent financial history, marked by a government bailout in the early 1980s under the leadership of Lee Iacocca, then by a merger with Daimler-Benz (DaimlerChrysler, 1998-2007), a period under the Cerberus fund, and a bankruptcy followed by a rescue during the 2009 crisis. That last ordeal led to a partnership with Italy's Fiat, which progressively took control of the company. In 2014, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was born. In January 2021, FCA merged with the French group PSA (Peugeot) to form Stellantis, one of the world's largest automakers. Today, Chrysler is a division of Stellantis North America. The brand, once a full-line manufacturer with a broad range of sedans, coupes and minivans, has sharply scaled back its offering: its North American lineup now rests essentially on the Pacifica minivan (and its Voyager variant), the 300 sedan having been withdrawn from the market. Chrysler nonetheless retains a significant North American industrial presence, notably in Canada with its historic Windsor plant, and remains a recognized player in the Quebec family-vehicle market.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesAméricaines
History
History of Chrysler
Chrysler is an American automaker founded on June 6, 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler in Detroit, Michigan, out of the reorganization of the Maxwell Motor Company. Walter Chrysler, an engineer by training, had first launched the first automobile bearing his name in January 1924, praised for its technical modernity. As early as 1928, the young Chrysler Corporation acquired Dodge Brothers and created the Plymouth and DeSoto brands, establishing itself as one of Detroit's "Big Three" alongside General Motors and Ford. Throughout the 20th century, Chrysler stood out for several innovations and for creating the modern family minivan segment in 1983-1984, built at the Windsor plant in Ontario. The brand nonetheless went through a turbulent financial history, marked by a government bailout in the early 1980s under the leadership of Lee Iacocca, then by a merger with Daimler-Benz (DaimlerChrysler, 1998-2007), a period under the Cerberus fund, and a bankruptcy followed by a rescue during the 2009 crisis. That last ordeal led to a partnership with Italy's Fiat, which progressively took control of the company. In 2014, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was born. In January 2021, FCA merged with the French group PSA (Peugeot) to form Stellantis, one of the world's largest automakers. Today, Chrysler is a division of Stellantis North America. The brand, once a full-line manufacturer with a broad range of sedans, coupes and minivans, has sharply scaled back its offering: its North American lineup now rests essentially on the Pacifica minivan (and its Voyager variant), the 300 sedan having been withdrawn from the market. Chrysler nonetheless retains a significant North American industrial presence, notably in Canada with its historic Windsor plant, and remains a recognized player in the Quebec family-vehicle market.
Public founding or origin of Chrysler.
300: launch or first listed period.
Pacifica: launch or first listed period.
Voyager: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Chrysler's current lineup is built around the Pacifica minivan, powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, in gasoline or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The Pacifica plug-in hybrid was the first plug-in minivan in the North American market, offering electric range for daily driving. The 300 sedan, now discontinued, was based on the group's shared rear-wheel-drive (LX) platform, with Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 powertrains. In terms of safety and driver assistance, recent Chrysler vehicles incorporate features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, along with modular seating configurations (Stow 'n Go on the Pacifica). The brand is part of Stellantis's progressive electrification strategy. Rear-wheel-drive platform (LX), with optional all-wheel drive. 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and HEMI V8 engines (up to 6.4 litres in the final edition), paired with an automatic transmission. Modern driver-assistance and comfort equipment depending on the trim. 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, in gasoline or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions with electric range. Stow 'n Go modular seating, driver-assistance features (emergency braking, blind spot, adaptive cruise control) depending on the trim. Technical base shared with the Pacifica: 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission, in gasoline version. Three-row family configuration, with equipment and trims geared toward affordability and fleet use.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
An American Stellantis brand focused on the comfortable family minivan, built in Canada and suited to the needs of Quebec families.
Reputation
Chrysler enjoys a good reputation for the comfort, versatility and interior layout of its minivans, with the Pacifica regularly earning strong reviews from testers for its roominess and stowable seats. Reliability is rated as average according to owner surveys, with some models having experienced recalls and electrical or transmission issues. Resale value tends to fall below the minivan segment average, with above-average depreciation after five years. The brand nonetheless retains a loyal customer base, attached to the family format and the value for money.
Strengths
Chrysler excels in the family minivan, with a Pacifica that is spacious, comfortable and equipped with modular seating and a practical plug-in hybrid version. Canadian production in Windsor ensures proximity to the Quebec market. The equipment-to-price ratio, the modularity of the cabin and the relevance of the family format are among the brand's most appreciated assets.
Points to watch
Chrysler's lineup has shrunk significantly, limiting the choice to a single minivan segment. Overall reliability is rated as average, with recalls and a few electrical or transmission issues reported. Resale value often falls below the segment average and depreciation can be marked. The brand's image has lost some of its luster compared with its full-line past.
Models
Chrysler models
Current or active models by market
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Chrysler's industrial presence in North America is long-standing and very real. The Windsor assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, has been the historic heart of Chrysler minivan production since 1983-1984; it assembles the Pacifica and the Voyager. This plant has produced more than 16 million minivans over the decades, making it a cornerstone of the Canadian automotive industry. Beyond Windsor, Chrysler, as a division of Stellantis North America, benefits from a network of plants spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico. This North American footprint, and particularly the Canadian one, gives Chrysler models a notable proximity to the Quebec market.
Tires and wheels
Recent Chrysler models mainly use 17- to 20-inch wheels. The Pacifica adopts a 5x127 mm bolt pattern (center bore of about 71.5 mm), with typical fitments of 235/65R17, 235/60R18, 245/55R19 or 245/50R20 depending on the trim. The 300 sedan used a 5x115 mm bolt pattern, in 17 to 20 inches. In Quebec, quality winter tires are essential for these heavy family vehicles, especially for minivans that are often loaded; a second set of smaller-diameter wheels (17 or 18 inches) makes winter use easier. Always check the bolt pattern and offset specific to the year and trim.