Plymouth (automobile)

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 2001. Conceived as a low-priced alternative to Chrysler's more expensive offerings, Plymouth became one of the "low-priced three" American marques alongside Ford and Chevrolet. The brand was instrumental in Chrysler's early success, particularly during the Great Depression.

Initially, Plymouth vehicles were simple and utilitarian, emphasizing reliability and affordability. Over the years, the brand offered a wide range of models, including sedans, coupes, convertibles, station wagons, and even trucks. Notable models included the Plymouth Valiant, Barracuda, Road Runner, and Voyager minivan.

The Plymouth Barracuda, particularly its 1970-1974 iterations, became an iconic muscle car. The Road Runner, known for its affordability and focus on performance, was also a popular muscle car during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Plymouth Voyager, introduced in 1984, is credited with popularizing the minivan in the United States.

Despite periods of success and innovation, Plymouth struggled to maintain a distinct brand identity in its later years. Facing increasing competition and internal competition from other Chrysler brands, Plymouth's market share declined. In 2001, DaimlerChrysler announced the discontinuation of the Plymouth brand, with the final model year being 2001. The Plymouth Neon was rebranded as the Chrysler Neon, marking the end of the Plymouth nameplate. The last Plymouth produced was a Neon, assembled on June 28, 2001.