Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.
Defunct Argentine automotive company that evolved from an importer into a Chrysler vehicle and component manufacturer.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Chrysler Fevre Argentina was an Argentine automotive company and the local industrial and commercial organization associated with Chrysler Corporation. Its origins went back to 1890, when Julio Fevre established Julio Fevre y Cía. as an importer of machinery and chemical products for the tanning industry. Under Fevre's direction, the business expanded into motor vehicles, initially importing French automobiles and later securing rights to distribute Dodge Brothers vehicles in Argentina. The company's relationship with Chrysler developed through a series of corporate and commercial changes. Fevre y Basset acquired Resta Hermanos, the Chrysler representative in Argentina, in 1931. During the 1930s, the organization assembled automobiles and buses in Buenos Aires, including operations at the building commonly known as Palacio Chrysler on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. After the Second World War, it acquired a large site in San Justo, in La Matanza Partido, and constructed a major industrial plant there. The factory was completed around 1950 and became the central base for the company's later manufacturing activity. In 1959, Fevre y Basset entered into an agreement with Chrysler International that created Chrysler Argentina S.A. The arrangement divided responsibilities between the companies: Chrysler Argentina was responsible for production, while Fevre y Basset retained roles connected with assembly and commercial activity. The San Justo plant was formally inaugurated on May 3, 1960. It initially produced D-100 pickup trucks and D-400 trucks under Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto branding, followed by locally manufactured truck engines and transmissions. Passenger-car production began with the Valiant V200, which entered production in late 1961 and reached the market in 1962. The Valiant range was expanded through the Valiant II, Valiant III, and Valiant IV, with increasing levels of local content and mechanical development. In 1965, Chrysler International and Fevre y Basset merged, creating Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C. The enlarged company continued to manufacture Dodge-branded cars and utility vehicles, eventually replacing the Valiant line with the Dodge Polara in 1968. The company broadened its industrial footprint in the 1970s. In 1970, it acquired the former Siam Di Tella plant at Monte Chingolo for truck production. In 1971, it introduced the Dodge 1500, an Argentine-built mid-size car derived from the Hillman Avenger of Chrysler's Rootes Group subsidiary. The model was significant because it was Chrysler's first non-U.S.-origin automobile marketed in Argentina and became one of the company's strongest local products. A station-wagon version followed in 1978. Although its Argentine products achieved substantial local sales, Chrysler Fevre Argentina was affected by the financial problems of Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler ordered the withdrawal from Argentina and several other Latin American and European markets. The Argentine and Brazilian businesses were sold to Volkswagen on May 5, 1980. Volkswagen continued production of the 1500 in Argentina, first using the Volkswagen Dodge 1500W name and later the Volkswagen 1500 name. The model remained in production until 1990, with total Dodge and Volkswagen 1500 production in Argentina reported at 262,668 units. The former San Justo factory site was later redeveloped for the National University of La Matanza, whose main facilities opened there in 1991.
History
Chrysler Fevre Argentina originated in 1890 as Julio Fevre y Cía., founded by Julio Fevre to import machinery and chemical products for the tanning industry. The company later entered the vehicle trade, importing automobiles from several French manufacturers, including Mors, Delaugère et Clayette, Aries, Delage, Delahaye, Citroën, and Berliet. Fevre's association with motoring also extended to competition: driver Diego Basset raced Mors cars imported by the firm, and Julio Fevre and later his son Pablo also participated in motor races. A decisive commercial development came in 1916, when Julio Fevre traveled to the United States and obtained exclusive rights to import and sell Dodge Brothers vehicles in Argentina. In 1922, the company built a headquarters on Avenida Leandro N. Alem in Buenos Aires. After Chrysler Corporation was formed in the United States in 1925, Resta Hermanos became its official Argentine representative in 1927. Chrysler subsequently acquired Dodge, Fargo, and Plymouth in 1928, strengthening the connection between those brands and the Argentine distribution network. Fevre y Basset acquired Resta Hermanos in 1931 and thereby became a Chrysler representative in Argentina. In 1932, the company began assembling automobiles and buses at the Palacio Chrysler building on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. The company's legal name changed to Fevre y Basset Ltda. S.A.I.C. in 1935. In 1940, operations were concentrated at Palacio Chrysler. After the end of the Second World War, the company purchased a 38-hectare property in San Justo, in La Matanza Partido, for a new industrial complex. Construction began in 1948, and the plant was completed around 1950. Its approximately 50,000 square meters made it one of the largest Chrysler-related facilities outside the United States and Canada. In early 1959, Fevre y Basset and Chrysler International agreed to establish Chrysler Argentina S.A. The two entities initially remained legally distinct. Luis Fevre continued to lead Fevre y Basset, while George Topping headed Chrysler Argentina. Chrysler Argentina assumed responsibility for manufacturing, whereas Fevre y Basset retained assembly and commercial functions. Import restrictions delayed activity at the plant until late 1959. The San Justo factory was officially inaugurated on May 3, 1960. It produced D-100 pickups and D-400 trucks under the Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto names. Truck-engine production began in 1961, followed by transmissions and other driveline work. Fargo and DeSoto truck branding ended in 1967, after which the utility range was marketed under Dodge. Passenger-car production began with the Valiant V200 in December 1961. The car was sold from 1962 and was intended to compete with locally established models such as the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet 400. In 1963, Chrysler Argentina added local production of the 3.7-liter Slant Six engine and three-speed manual transmissions. The Valiant II arrived that year, followed by the larger Valiant III in 1964. The Valiant III was based on the Dodge Dart and became one of the largest passenger cars then produced in Argentina. In 1966, the Valiant IV updated the same broad product family. In 1965, Chrysler International and Fevre y Basset merged to form Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C. By then, the San Justo factory had expanded to approximately 65,000 square meters. The company reported producing 27,000 transmissions between 1962 and 1964. In 1968, the Valiant nameplate was replaced by the Dodge Polara, and utility vehicles were unified under Dodge branding. Chrysler Fevre expanded again in 1970 by acquiring the former Siam Di Tella plant in Monte Chingolo for truck production. The Dodge 1500 was introduced in 1971. Based on the Hillman Avenger developed by Chrysler's British Rootes Group subsidiary, it was the first non-U.S.-origin automobile marketed by Chrysler in Argentina and a major commercial success. A station-wagon derivative was added in 1978. Despite this performance, the parent company's financial crisis led Chrysler to withdraw from Argentina and other Latin American and European markets. Chrysler sold the Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen on May 5, 1980, ending Chrysler Fevre Argentina's operations. Volkswagen continued producing the Dodge 1500 in Argentina, initially as the Volkswagen Dodge 1500W and later as the Volkswagen 1500 after Volkswagen assumed complete control in 1982. Production ended in 1990 after a combined Argentine total of 262,668 Dodge and Volkswagen 1500 units. The former San Justo factory was eventually vacated and remained unused for years. Argentine Senate Law 23,748 established the National University of La Matanza on the site, and the principal university facilities were inaugurated there in 1991.
- 1991
Former factory site becomes university campus
[1]The former San Justo plant site was refurbished and opened as the main seat of the National University of La Matanza.
- 1980
Business sold to Volkswagen
[1]Chrysler sold its Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen on May 5.
- 1979
Operations cease
[1]Chrysler Fevre Argentina ended operations following the financial crisis of its U.S. parent.
- 1971
Dodge 1500 launched
[1]The locally produced Dodge 1500 introduced Chrysler's Rootes-derived mid-size car to Argentina.
- 1970
Monte Chingolo plant acquired
[1]The former Siam Di Tella factory was acquired for truck production.
- 1965
Chrysler Fevre Argentina is incorporated
[1]Chrysler International and Fevre y Basset merged under the Chrysler Fevre Argentina name.
- 1961
Truck-engine production and Valiant production begin
[1]The company started producing truck engines and began manufacturing the Valiant V200 passenger car.
- 1960
San Justo plant officially opens
[1]The factory was inaugurated on May 3 and began manufacturing Dodge, Fargo, and DeSoto commercial vehicles.
- 1959
Chrysler Argentina joint arrangement is established
[1]Fevre y Basset and Chrysler International created Chrysler Argentina S.A. to organize local manufacturing and commercial activity.
- 1950
San Justo industrial plant becomes operational
[1]The new factory in San Justo was completed and became the company's principal industrial site.
Products and positioning
A locally manufacturing American automotive group serving Argentina with Dodge, DeSoto, Fargo, Chrysler, and Valiant vehicles, combining imported models with progressively greater domestic production.
Pickup truck · 1960
D-100
The D-100 was among the first vehicles manufactured at the San Justo plant after its formal inauguration in 1960. It was produced as a Dodge-branded pickup within Chrysler's Argentine commercial-vehicle program.
Truck · 1960
D-400
The D-400 was a locally manufactured truck introduced with the initial San Justo production program. Early production also used Fargo and DeSoto branding before the utility range was consolidated under Dodge.
Passenger car · 1961
Valiant
The Valiant family began with the V200, produced from late 1961 and sold from 1962. The Valiant II, III, and IV progressively updated the range, with the later versions using larger bodies and locally produced mechanical components. The line was aimed at Argentina's growing compact and intermediate-car market.
Passenger car · 1968
Dodge Polara
Introduced in 1968 as the successor to the Valiant line, the Dodge Polara represented the company's shift toward a unified Dodge passenger-car identity in Argentina. It was part of the locally manufactured car range produced after the Chrysler Fevre merger.
Mid-size passenger car · 1971
Dodge 1500
Launched in 1971, the Dodge 1500 was derived from the Hillman Avenger developed by Chrysler's Rootes Group subsidiary. It became a major Argentine product and was notable as the first non-U.S.-origin automobile marketed by Chrysler in the country. A station-wagon version was introduced in 1978.
Station wagon · 1978
Dodge 1500 station wagon
The station-wagon derivative of the Dodge 1500 expanded the model's utility and family-car appeal in the Argentine market. It was introduced near the end of Chrysler Fevre Argentina's operating period.
Brand decisions
1980
Sell the Argentine business to VolkswagenM&ABackground
Chrysler Corporation's financial crisis led it to exit Argentina and several other international markets.
Action taken
Chrysler sold its Argentine and Brazilian businesses to Volkswagen on May 5, 1980.
Aftermath
Volkswagen continued the Argentine 1500 program, eventually renaming the vehicle Volkswagen 1500 and producing it until 1990.
1971
Introduce the Dodge 1500Product launchBackground
The company sought to strengthen its passenger-car range with a mid-size model suited to the Argentine market.
Action taken
Chrysler Fevre launched the locally produced Dodge 1500, based on the Hillman Avenger.
Aftermath
The model became a commercial success and continued under Volkswagen ownership after Chrysler's withdrawal.
1968
Replace the Valiant line with Dodge PolaraGeneration changeBackground
Chrysler Fevre was reorganizing its Argentine passenger-car portfolio around the Dodge name.
Action taken
The Valiant line was withdrawn and replaced by the Dodge Polara, while utility vehicles were also marketed under Dodge.
Aftermath
The change made Dodge the company's principal visible vehicle brand in Argentina.
1965
Merge Chrysler International and Fevre y BassetM&ABackground
The companies had operated through a joint arrangement since 1959.
Action taken
They merged to form Chrysler Fevre Argentina S.A.I.C.
Aftermath
The merger consolidated the Argentine manufacturing, assembly, and commercial organization under one corporate identity.
1959
Separate manufacturing and commercial responsibilitiesStrategyBackground
The agreement between Fevre y Basset and Chrysler International created Chrysler Argentina while leaving the two companies legally separate.
Action taken
Chrysler Argentina took responsibility for production, while Fevre y Basset retained assembly and commercial functions.
Aftermath
The arrangement prepared the San Justo operation for industrial-scale Chrysler production in Argentina.
Sources1 sources
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