The company Chrysler is considered to be one of the largest American automobile manufacturers; cited as one of the "Big Three" alongside Ford and General Motors. Chrysler is also part of the larger umbrella group Fiat which markets several cars and trucks to the domestic American market. Some of the most well-known brands include Jeep, Dodge and Fiat. In addition, Chrysler currently operates a subsidiary known as Mopar. Thought to be an acronym for "MOtor PARts", Mopar is Chrysler's chief division for numerous automobile accessories that are particular to the brand. As of 2011, Chrysler was considered to be the twelfth largest producer of vehicles in the world.
The history of this organization can be traced to Mr. Walter Chrysler who first founded the company during the mid-1920s. This business rapidly expanded in the latter part of the decade with its acquisition of the Fargo truck corporation as well as the Dodge Brothers Company. Although Chrysler (like many automobile manufacturers) struggled during the subsequent great depression, this company nearly went bankrupt as a result of the oil crisis of 1973. During the recent financial crisis, Chrysler was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to avoid a complete shutdown. As a result, Fiat is now one of its principal owners under the restructuring plan.
Currently, Chrysler is still considered to be a popular automobile brand in both the United States and abroad. In recent years, a new product lineup in combination with successful marketing campaigns have allowed Chrysler to enjoy continued success.