Chrysler Fevre Argentina
An Argentine automotive company that evolved from a nineteenth-century industrial importer into a Chrysler-affiliated vehicle manufacturer and ceased operations after its business was sold to Volkswagen.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Chrysler Fevre Argentina was an Argentine automotive company whose origins preceded the Chrysler name by several decades. Julio Fevre established Julio Fevre y Cía. in 1890 as an importer of machinery and chemical products serving Argentina’s tanning industry. Under Fevre’s direction, the business broadened into vehicle distribution. By the early twentieth century it was importing automobiles from several European manufacturers, including Mors, Delaugère et Clayette, Aries, Delage, Delahaye, Citroën, and Berliet. The company also developed an association with motor sport through vehicles driven by Diego Basset, Julio Fevre, and later Pablo Fevre. A decisive change came in 1916, when Julio Fevre obtained rights to import and commercialise Dodge Brothers vehicles in Argentina. After the creation of Chrysler Corporation in the United States in 1925, the Argentine business became connected with Chrysler’s expanding international distribution network. Fevre y Basset acquired Resta Hermanos, which had represented Chrysler products in Argentina, and the company subsequently handled products associated with Dodge, Fargo, Plymouth, and other Chrysler-controlled marques. The business moved progressively from importing and distribution to local assembly and manufacturing. Automobiles and buses began to be assembled in Buenos Aires in 1932 at the building popularly known as Palacio Chrysler. After the Second World War, the company acquired a large site in San Justo, in La Matanza Partido, and constructed an industrial complex there. The plant began operating in 1950 and became one of the largest Chrysler-related facilities outside the United States and Canada. In 1959, an agreement with Chrysler International created Chrysler Argentina S.A. The arrangement divided responsibilities: Chrysler Argentina directed production, while Fevre y Basset retained responsibility for assembly and commercial activities. The two businesses remained operationally distinct for a period, with Luis Fevre leading Fevre y Basset and George Topping heading Chrysler Argentina. The San Justo plant was formally inaugurated in 1960. It produced Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto commercial vehicles, including D-100 pickups and D-400 trucks. Local production expanded to engines, transmissions, and other components. The company also entered the Argentine passenger-car market with the Valiant V200, followed by Valiant II, Valiant III, and Valiant IV variants. These cars positioned Chrysler’s Argentine operation against locally produced competitors such as the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet 400. In 1965, Chrysler International and Fevre y Basset merged, creating Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the company rationalised its range under the Dodge name. The Valiant line gave way to the Dodge Polara, while utility vehicles were also marketed as Dodges. Chrysler Fevre expanded its industrial footprint by acquiring the former Siam Di Tella facility at Monte Chingolo in 1970 for truck production. Its most commercially important passenger car was the Dodge 1500, introduced in 1971. Derived from the Hillman Avenger associated with Chrysler’s Rootes Group operations, it was the first mid-size automobile produced in Argentina by a United States automotive company and the first non-American model marketed by Chrysler in the country. A station-wagon version followed in 1978. Despite the performance of the Dodge 1500 and the company’s established local manufacturing base, Chrysler Corporation entered a severe financial crisis. Detroit ordered the withdrawal from Argentina and several other Latin American and European markets. Chrysler Fevre’s Argentine and Brazilian businesses were sold to Volkswagen on May 5, 1980. Volkswagen continued production of the 1500 in Argentina, initially using the Volkswagen Dodge 1500W designation and later the Volkswagen 1500 name. The former San Justo factory was eventually vacated. After years of abandonment, its principal buildings were reused by the National University of La Matanza, whose campus was established by Argentine legislation and inaugurated at the site in 1991.
History
Chrysler Fevre Argentina originated in 1890, when Julio Fevre founded Julio Fevre y Cía. as an importer serving the tanning industry. The firm later diversified into vehicle imports, handling a wide range of French and European marques. Its connection with Dodge began in 1916, when Fevre secured Argentine import and commercialisation rights for Dodge Brothers vehicles. The business expanded through corporate transactions and infrastructure development. Fevre y Basset acquired Resta Hermanos, a Chrysler representative, and assembled vehicles and buses at Buenos Aires’s Palacio Chrysler from 1932. After acquiring land in San Justo following the Second World War, it built a major industrial plant that opened in 1950. A 1959 agreement with Chrysler International created Chrysler Argentina S.A. and separated production responsibilities from the distribution and assembly functions retained by Fevre y Basset. The San Justo factory was inaugurated on May 3, 1960, producing D-100 pickups and D-400 trucks under Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto branding. Engine and transmission production followed. Chrysler Argentina entered passenger-car manufacturing with the Valiant V200 in 1961, followed by the Valiant II, III, and IV. In 1965 the two operating companies merged as Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C., while the plant continued to expand. The company consolidated its products under the Dodge name during the late 1960s. The Dodge Polara replaced the Valiant range in 1968, and the acquisition of the former Siam Di Tella facility at Monte Chingolo in 1970 added truck-manufacturing capacity. The Dodge 1500, launched in 1971, was derived from the Hillman Avenger and became a particularly significant Argentine model. A station-wagon version appeared in 1978. Chrysler Corporation’s financial problems led it to withdraw from Argentina and other international markets. On May 5, 1980, Chrysler sold its Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen. Volkswagen continued the Argentine car program under Volkswagen Dodge 1500W and later Volkswagen 1500 branding. The model remained in production until 1990. The former Chrysler site in San Justo was eventually reused by the National University of La Matanza, whose main facilities opened there in 1991.
- 1991
Former factory site becomes a university campus
[1]The former San Justo factory complex was reused as the main site of the National University of La Matanza.
- 1980
Operations are sold to Volkswagen
[1]Chrysler sold its Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen on May 5.
- 1971
Dodge 1500 launches
[1]The company introduced the Hillman Avenger-based Dodge 1500, its most commercially consequential Argentine passenger car.
- 1970
Monte Chingolo plant acquired
[1]The company purchased the former Siam Di Tella plant for truck production.
- 1965
Merger creates Chrysler Fevre Argentina
[1]Chrysler International and Fevre y Basset merged into Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C.
- 1961
Valiant passenger-car production begins
[1]The first Chrysler Argentina passenger car, the Valiant V200, entered production.
- 1960
San Justo production is inaugurated
[1]The factory was officially inaugurated on May 3 and began producing Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto trucks and pickups.
- 1959
Chrysler Argentina is established
[1]An agreement with Chrysler International created Chrysler Argentina S.A. and divided manufacturing, assembly, and commercial responsibilities.
- 1950
San Justo factory opens
[1]A large new industrial plant in San Justo entered operation after postwar construction.
- 1932
Local assembly begins at Palacio Chrysler
[1]Automobiles and buses began to be assembled at the Buenos Aires facility known as Palacio Chrysler.
Products and positioning
A locally manufacturing Chrysler and Dodge operation serving Argentina with American-derived commercial vehicles and passenger cars, later supplemented by European-derived models adapted for the Argentine market.
Trucks and utility vehicles · 1960
Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto commercial vehicles
The San Justo plant’s first major output included D-100 pickups and D-400 trucks sold under Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto branding. Production began in 1960, with Fargo and DeSoto utility vehicles continuing until 1967 before the range was consolidated under Dodge. The programme helped establish Chrysler’s Argentine operation as a manufacturer rather than merely an importer and distributor.
Passenger car · 1961
Valiant V200
Introduced into production in December 1961 and sold from 1962, the Valiant V200 was Chrysler Argentina’s first locally produced passenger car. It was a compact-to-mid-size model intended to compete with established Argentine offerings such as the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet 400. Initial engines and transmissions were imported before local component production expanded.
Passenger car · 1963
Valiant II
The Valiant II followed the initial V200 with the same general body style and a larger 3.7-litre Slant Six engine rated at 137 horsepower. Its introduction formed part of Chrysler Argentina’s effort to increase local content and provide a stronger competitor in Argentina’s growing locally manufactured passenger-car market.
Passenger car · 1964
Valiant III
Launched in 1964, the Valiant III was based on the Dodge Dart and was substantially larger than its predecessors. It became one of the largest cars produced in Argentina at the time. The model reflected Chrysler’s practice of adapting North American designs for local manufacture and was followed by the Valiant IV in 1966.
Passenger car · 1966
Valiant IV
The Valiant IV was introduced in 1966 as a further Dodge Dart-related development. It was the final major model marketed in the Valiant sequence before the line was replaced by the Dodge Polara in 1968, when Chrysler Fevre began concentrating its Argentine passenger-car identity around Dodge.
Passenger car · 1968
Dodge Polara
The Dodge Polara replaced the Valiant line in 1968 as Chrysler Fevre’s principal larger passenger-car offering. Its introduction marked the company’s shift away from the Valiant name and toward a unified Dodge-branded range for cars and utility vehicles in Argentina.
Mid-size passenger car · 1971
Dodge 1500
Launched in 1971, the Dodge 1500 was based on the Hillman Avenger developed by Chrysler’s Rootes Group subsidiary. It was the first mid-size car produced in Argentina by an American automotive company and the first non-US automobile marketed there by Chrysler. Its sales performance strengthened Chrysler Fevre’s position, and a station-wagon derivative was added in 1978.
Brand decisions
1980
Sell the Argentine and Brazilian operations to VolkswagenM&ABackground
Chrysler Corporation’s financial crisis prompted a broad withdrawal from Argentina, other Latin American markets, and Europe.
Action taken
On May 5, Chrysler sold its businesses in Argentina and Brazil to Volkswagen.
Aftermath
Volkswagen established local subsidiaries, continued the Argentine 1500 programme, and later sold the car as the Volkswagen 1500 until production ended in 1990.
1971
Launch the Dodge 1500Product launchBackground
Chrysler needed a competitive mid-size model suited to Argentina, where locally manufactured family cars represented an important market segment.
Action taken
The company introduced the Hillman Avenger-based Dodge 1500, the first non-US Chrysler model marketed in Argentina.
Aftermath
The model sold successfully and became the foundation of continued production after Volkswagen acquired Chrysler’s Argentine business.
1968
Replace the Valiant range with Dodge PolaraGeneration changeBackground
After several Valiant generations, Chrysler Fevre reorganised its passenger-car range around the Dodge identity.
Action taken
The Valiant line was replaced by the Dodge Polara, while utility vehicles were also consolidated under Dodge branding.
Aftermath
The change simplified the Argentine brand portfolio before the introduction of the Dodge 1500.
1959
Create Chrysler Argentina through an operating agreementStrategyBackground
Chrysler International sought a more direct manufacturing presence in Argentina while Fevre y Basset retained its established local assembly and distribution functions.
Action taken
The parties formed Chrysler Argentina S.A.; Chrysler Argentina handled production, while Fevre y Basset continued assembly and commercialisation for a period.
Aftermath
The arrangement led to renewed factory activity and ultimately preceded the 1965 merger that created Chrysler Fevre Argentina.
Recent events
- 1980
Chrysler sells its Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
Chrysler transferred its operations in Argentina and Brazil to Volkswagen amid the parent company’s financial crisis and international retrenchment.
- 1971
Chrysler Fevre introduces the Dodge 1500 in Argentina[1]
Product launch
The company launched the Dodge 1500, a locally built mid-size car derived from the Hillman Avenger and an important contributor to Chrysler’s Argentine sales.
- 1960
Chrysler Argentina factory begins vehicle production[1]
Product launch
The San Justo industrial plant was formally inaugurated and began manufacturing Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto commercial vehicles.
Sources1 sources
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