Chrysler History

The history of Chrysler Corporation is actually already over. Quite recently Chrysler united with Daimler-Benz and this way Daimler-Chrysler Corporation was formed. This way Chrysler partially lost its independence, although it didn’t loose its individuality. Still the great past of this corporation is really worth studying. During several years of its existence Chrysler managed to enter the Great Three and took its stand in it firmly.

Today Chrysler is taking the third place among enterprises producing American cars after Ford and General Motors. The cars of such famous brands as Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Eagle, and of course Jeep enjoy remarkable popularity among the costumers. Their product market is mainly Nirth America, but it’s worth mentioning that more and more cars of Chrysler brand appear in post-Soviet Byelorussia and Russia. How did Chrysler manage to achieve such great success in a couple of years after is appeared?

In fact Chrysler owes its success to one person. Indeed, the histories of greatest firms are not based on original solutions or outstanding services, these things are just secondary, since the key factor of success is the firm’s founders and management. So speaking about Chrysler, we can’t but mention the person this company was named after, the person that basically gave birth to the company, Walter Chrysler. Walter was born in 1875. He had the following career: since 17 he was an engine’s driver’s mate, at 24 - an expert mechanical engineer; at 33 a superintendent of Western railroad in Chicago; at 35 a manager of American Engine Company. At this point the consequence of Chrysler’s jobs made a crucial turn after in 1910 he purchased a personal automobile.

They say Chrysler was so fascinated with the very construction of the car so he managed to disassemble it and assemble it back even before he mastered driving it. As we can see, this first car impressed him greatly, because some 2 years later Chrysler got employed for Buick. In 1917 he became the President and CEO of this division of General Motors. In two years he Chrysler became General Motors vice-President in production, however he didn’t stay in that position for long.

It’s well-known that two persons possessing outstanding administrative abilities can scarcely get along together. Soon serious tensions appeared between William Durant (the President of GM) and Walter Chrysler. The conflict resulted in Chrysler leaving the company in 1920, feeling just well-to-do enough. Unable to direct his talents appropriately Walter soon started working in a very specific field of company restorations.

First Willys-Overland hired him for coping with a financial crisis, and then Maxwell Motor Car Company invited him. This company was saved with the help of unique and really expensive mean – Chrysler 6 car Walter constructed in team with 3 engineers. This car was offered inexpensive and was unique for its comfort and remarkable ...