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Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge in Switzerland: AMAG car factory

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Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge in Switzerland: AMAG car factory

Starting in 1948, the Swiss assembly plant run by AMAG (in coordination with Chrysler Corporation) produced Plymouth and Dodge cars, Karmann coupes, and Studebaker Larks. It was not the first Chrysler plant in Switzerland, though; local assembler Saurer-Arbon had which built around 2,000 Chrysler Corporation cars, including locally developed limousines and convertibles, from 1934 to 1939.



Hans Ensing, of the Chrysler Rotterdam plant, wrote:

The Swiss AMAG company started an assembly operation in 1948; cars were built like Swiss premium watches, with a corresponding retail price. The Swiss, having come rich out of the war, had no problem with these prices, but their market was closed and few were exported. This compact model plant was finally closed in 1972. Unfortunately there is no real publication about the Amag history.



A curious incident happened in the mid-60s when AMAG ordered a small series of B body four door sedans from Rotterdam. Two weeks after delivery, the cars were back in Rotterdam, having been rejected by the Swiss quality control. Rotterdam, being a low-cost Chrysler plant, argued that for their production prices, they could not build Swiss quality. After lengthy negotiations, Rotterdam put new bodies on the cars and was allowed to charge $200 more (quite some money in those days). After that, exporting from Rotterdam to AMAG was very low key.

The Chrysler Valiant was the most popular car built in the AMAG factory; they made 14,000 cars over 13 years. The Dodge Dart only reached 4,440 cars in 12 years. A small number of Dodge Challengers were imported in the early 1970s, and only a handful are known to survive. Overall, the plant made 29,227 cars in 23 years - nearly half of which were Valiants.

The plant closed at the end of 1972, and AMAG turned to importing cars rather than building them.

Another Swiss company involved in making Chrysler Corp. designs was MOWAG. Founded in 1950 by engineer Walter Ruf, MOWAG, early in its history, made over 1,600 4x4 troop carriers for the Swiss army.



The company built Dodge-based and DeSoto-based military and special purpose vehicles, including versions of the W (4x4) / B (rear drive) trucks. The 2,700-kilogram Feuerblitz fire truck, for example, was based on the Dodge W200 4x4. The basic chassis and powertrain would be adapted to whatever body style was needed. Now owned by General Dynamics, MOWAG makes cross-country and amphibious armored vehicles.

AMAG production by year

Note: In the following sales chart, Plymouth production stopped in 1959 and Valiant started in 1960. Dodge production stopped in 1959 and Dart began in 1961. Chrysler production was limited to 42 cars made in 1951. Not shown in the interest of space are 96 Demons made in 1972; Studebaker production (312 in 1959, 72 in 1960, and 72 more in 1961; or Standard production of 528 from 1950 to 1953).

Plymouth
& Valiant
BarracudaDeSotoDodge
& Dart
CoupéGhiaTotal
194966 66
1950348 518
1951456 713
1952825 938
19531085 1115
19541055 96 1151
19551199 14412 1355
1956967 12150 1129
1957587 72 138797
1958385 12 552949
1959204 24 288828
1960840 1201032
1961996 648 1716
19621140 504 1644
19631248 672 1920
19641680 240 1920
19651200 432 1632
19661320 264 1584
1967139224 192 1608
1968113072 312 1514
19691006120 240 1366
1970864 321216 1392
1971564 432264 1260
1972480 358144 1080

Current assembly plants




Support plants


Other facilities





Historical plants (including adopted companies)



Related pages


Also see... Factory photos: 2009 Dodge Ram - 1995 Neon - Chrysler LeBaron Convertible - Newark Assembly Plant

Working at the plant: <a name="factory"></a>Dave Tyjeski (2009), Bill Wetherholt (2009), Matt Wetherholt (2009), Views (2002), Teamwork (1998)


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