This Video Shows 100 Years of Chrysler Innovation

Walter P. Chrysler founded Chrysler in 1925 with a straightforward mission: deliver advanced engineering at an accessible price. Over one hundred years later, that commitment still defines every vehicle to carry the name.

American Automotive Progress

The 1924 Chrysler Six was the first vehicle to carry the Chrysler name. It was developed by Walter P. Chrysler as part of his reorganization of Maxwell Motor Company and debuted at the January 1924 New York Auto Show. It was a significant vehicle for its time, offering features like hydraulic brakes and a high-compression engine that most competitors couldn't match at its price point.

The 1924 Chrysler Six launched the brand. The 1934 Chrysler Airflow followed, America's first full-size aerodynamic production car. The Airflow arrived years ahead of consumer expectations, and sales suffered as a result. But its aerodynamic principles became standard practice across the industry within a decade. Chrysler later built the legendary HEMI V-8, the engine platform that defined American performance cars for generations.

Chrysler invented the modern minivan in 1984, creating an entirely new market segment. Each decade brought a new benchmark, a new technology, or a new idea that competitors would spend years catching up to. Over 210,000 units sold in the first full year, restoring the company to profitability.

The Road Ahead

The Chrysler Pacifica remains the most-awarded minivan on the market, carrying forward the same spirit of practical innovation that the brand built its name on. The Pacifica also tops the charts of the most miles driven per year among individuals.

Meanwhile, the Halcyon Concept points toward an electric, autonomous future built on the same principles Walter P. Chrysler established a century ago. The next 100 years start now. Watch below!