Export Chryslers, Dodges, Plymouths, Hillmans, and DeSotos
This page first lists overviews, then goes into models by geography, then has a list of models by name.
Chrysler export models (overviews)
- Chrysler’s Rotterdam plant and European production, 1959-1969
- History of Chrysler in Europe (good detailed overview)
- A Plymouth By Any Other Name - Plymouths exported as Dodges and DeSotos from 1932 through the 1950s; Dodges exported as DeSotos
- The 1950s - Dodges, DeSotos, Plymouths, Chryslers, and Imperials
- 1998 international operations; 1997 Chrysler international/export regions
- Fargo Trucks
- Karrier/Dodge trucks in the UK
- Simca
The Americas
- Argentina (Coronado / Polara / Dart / 1500 / Valiant)
- Brazil (well organized history)
- Canada (also see Fargo, Canadian engines)
- Jamaica
- Mexico (detailed history; see also Neon, Stratus R/T)
- South America overview (with a number of photos - Dart-based Charger, Coronado, etc.)
- Trazo: rebadged Nissan for Latin America
- Venezuela:
- Valiant.org article
- List of all models sold in Venezuela with some specifications
Other Western Hemisphere
- Belgium: Chrysler had a plant in Antwerp in the 1950s and 1960s, and with a wide dealer network.
- Bulgaria
- Egypt: Arab American Vehicles, created in 1977 as a joint venture with AMC. 49%-owned by Chrysler in 1998. Currently assembles the Wrangler J8 and other vehicles; used to make Peugeots under contract as well.
- Europe (1960s-1970s) | Europe overview 2004
- Finland: Horizon and Finland: 2009 road test
- France: see “by model” listing later on this page, and SIMCA and Matra. The tax-by-engine-size system put most Chryslers at a disadvantage. Also see: American Car Club of France
- Germany: see bottom of page
- Greece: Farmobil
- Iran: the most popular car ever sold in Iran was engineered by Chrysler Europe.
- Iraq: "I have see a dump truck, pretty new (1980s or 90s), with DESOTO on the side of the hood and a chrome pentastar on the grill." - Sgt Paul Lamont. We suspect it was imported from neighboring Turkey.
- Israel (major expansion, April 16, 2001)
- Netherlands: Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are all sold in the Netherlands. As of 2004, Dodge units were the "Ram Van" (Caravan) and "Ram Van high roof," both with the 2.4 or a diesel 2.5 engine. The usual full spread of Jeeps was sold (Liberty has 2.4, 2.8 diesel, 3.7 V6, or 2.5 diesel), along with the full spread of Chryslers - PT, Sebring, convertible, 300M, Crossfire, Voyager, and Grand Voyager.
- Norway: Jim Benjaminson wrote: “Plymouths were made in Moss, Norway by Norsk Automobile Fabriken from 1937 to 1939.” Ken Norberg added: “They imported enough parts to assemble complete Dodge passenger cars in Norway. They were assembled at the Strommen Mechanical Factory, and the cars are known as Strommen Dodge. They made 800 to 1,000 a year from 1934 until the Germans came in 1940. There are still many of them restored and running.”
- Poland: see bottom of page.
- Romania: Jim Welch wrote: "the Duster was used by Dacia for their 4WD vehicle! They also marketed a saloon and estate."
- Russia: old cloud cars and Moskvitch Alpines.
- South Africa- also see the Rebel page and Australian links
- Spain: Dart/3700GT, and 160/180, Barreiros, trucks
- Sweden where the police loved the Valiant
- Switzerland: the Swiss assembly plant was known for high quality.
- Turkey where DeSoto still lives
- UK: see "by model" listing later on this page. Also see Rootes Group cars: Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam
Eastern Hemisphere
- Australia 1930s-40s (D series, 1930s-40s)
- Australia 1950s
- Australia 1960s-1980s (at valiant.org) - Valiants, Chargers, Pacers, and more. See also South Africa and this report on the 2001 Chryslers on the Murray show. The amazing Hemi Six-Pack was an in-line six...
- Australia - Royal, Plainsman, Wayfarer
- India
- New Zealand (Chargers, Valiants) - see also "Avengers in New Zealand"
Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, DeSoto, Valiant, etc. offshore-only models
The Dart name was continued in the mid-1980s for an extended-wheelbase K car (E body) in Mexico; macrogdl told us about his 1986 Dart E AR. During the 1970s, South American Darts were also sold as Chargers, Polaras, and Coronados, with major styling differences between the models (see these photos). We are slowly adding detailed specifications on these models.
Jim Benjaminson, of the Plymouth Bulletin, wrote:
Plymouth announced a line of extended wheelbase cars in 1958; the cars were to be built in Chrysler subsidiary "Societe Anonyme Chrysler" Antwerp, Belgium plant. Built on a 142" wheelbase (two feet over normal), the cars were built as Plymouth, Dodge Kingsway, and DeSoto Diplomat models. All were based on the Plymouth body shell, and had heavy duty front and rear suspensions including a front sway bar. The rear axle had a larger diameter ring gear, special ratios and heavy duty axle shafts. Power was provided by either the 230 cubic inch flathead six or the 318 V8. Transmission choices included a straight three speed or TorqueFlite automatic. Rear axle ratio was 4.1 with the straight stick, 3.73 with automatic.
The chassis was a “rugged steel box frame with six extra cross members.” V8 models came with power steering. The tires were 8:50x14" on six-inch-wide rims.
Bruno Geertsen wrote that many DeSoto, Plymouth, and other exports were retrofitted with Perkins P4 diesels by Hunter Ltd, which was started by Mr. Geertsen's grandfather. Perkins diesel page.
You can find information on a variety of Chrysler engines, including some used only in export vehicles, at the Mopar Pages.