April 1, 1929

To: Board of Management, Chrysler Corporation

I appreciate your asking my opinions of my recent purchase of a Chrysler Corporation vehicle, and respectfully submit my thoughts and comments.

I do have reason to believe that my opinions will go unheeded, along with the other Dodge Brothers enthusiasts' views.

I did purchase a new vehicle, a 1929 Dodge Brothers Touring, not a so-called product of "Chrysler Corporation." I have purchased Dodge Bros. vehicles for the past twenty years and find it sad that I can no longer buy what I consider to be an excellent vehicle. I cannot and will not support a Dodge nameplate slapped on some badge-engineered, left-over Maxwell junk. If you sincerely believe that consumers will follow you, who can attempt to sell them on some hybrid pile that is not a true Dodge Brothers, then more power to you.

I, regrettably, will keep my last Dodge Brothers until such time that I have to replace it, upon which I will probably purchase an Essex, a fine car by the Hudson Company, which you can guarantee will be around a lot longer than your dream of a badge-engineered comglomerate.

Yours truly,
Horace Ottsmeier

Added later:

April 1, 1957

To: George Romney, President American Motors Corporation (nee Hudson-Essex-Terraplane)

Approximately thirty years ago I wrote a similar letter to Chrysler Management in response to their ignorance of the customers wishes.  At the time, I was a loyal Dodge Brothers customer, but they, in total disregard for what the consumer wanted, replaced all former Dodge products with Maxwell-Chrysler designs. I will acknowledge that they have proven themselves and are making what seems to be quality products.

When I stopped being a customer of theirs, I began my past thirty years of being a Essex and Hudson buyer.  I have had great joy in owning numerous Essexs and Hudsons. Now, much to my dismay, when the time came to trade in my well worn, but dependable Commodore, I find nothing but relabeled Nashes awaiting me at the local Hudson garage.

It is with sadness that I am forced to give up the Hudsons that have served me so well in the past. I will trade my Commodore in on a new Firedome Hardtop at the neighborhood DeSoto garage.  I still do refuse to purchase one of the 'Chrysler-Dodges,' but feel that Chrysler Corp does do many things right in engineering.

I am sorry that we cannot continue to do business, but I simply am not interested in a Nash with a fancy grille.

Yours truly, for the past 28 years,
Horace Ottsmeier