By: Margery Krevsky
The premise of the Plymouth nameplate was to cover the lower-end or entry level marketing niche. Due to its pricing and enhanced standard features during the Great Depression the car helped significantly ensure the survival of the Chrysler Corporation. In a decade when many other car companies failed or were severely struggling the Model Q was a remarkable sales strategy. Plymouth sales were a bright spot during this dismal automotive period, and by 1931 Plymouth rose to the number three spot among all cars.
The Model Q was the first in its class to offer hydraulic brakes as standard equipment
Plymouth was the only automaker in 1933 to show a sales increase over the previous year. This 6 cylinder engine was to remain in production from October 1932 until the end of production of the 1959 model year cars. In 1934 the one millionth Plymouth was sold. All the separate corporations (Dodge, Desoto, Plymouth, and Chrysler) became divisions of Chrysler Corporation in 1935. This move allowed Chrysler to streamline production of the various lines and allow for it to sell rebadged Plymouths as other Chrysler products to European markets.
The Model Q of 1929 began the success model for the Plymouth brand resulting in one million cars sold by 1934
Margery Krevsky is the author of Sirens of Chrome: The enduring allure of auto show models. Published by Momentum publishers. Available at amazon.com, www.sirensofchrome.com and momentum.com
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MotorCities National Heritage Area
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MotorCities National Heritage Area
http://www.motorcities.org/index.html