History of Renault, Dodge and Karrier Motors, Part 4 Timeline

Some Timelines for you

1920 Claytons becomes Karrier Motors Limited of Huddersfield

1922 Dodge Brothers imported trucks into UK

Lee Guinness takes land speed record to 122 mph in Sunbeam at Brooklands

1923 Karrier introduce 6 wheel chassis for export markets

1925 Rootes Limited formed, Hillman purchased

1926 Commer Cars of Luton acquired by Humber Malcolm Campbell takes land speed record to 150 mph at Pendine Sands in same Sunbeam car

1927 Humber joins Rootes group

1929 Singer introduces commercial range - gone by 1932

1930 British Light Steel Pressings formed Hillman Wizard introduced

1931 Karrier Consort introduced, 6 wheeler with Gardner 6LW engine Vulcan into receivership

1932 Hillman Minx introduced

1933 Dodge starts production at Kew using imported engines and gearboxes

1934 Karrier into receivership and acquired by Rootes

1935 Sunbeam and Talbot (STD motors) acquired by Rootes

1937 BSLP absorbed into Rootes Tilling-Stevens acquires Vulcan, productions moved to Maidstone

1938 Sunbeam name reintroduced

1948 Rights to Karrier trolleybuses pass to Guy Motors

1950 Tilling-Stevens acquired by Rootes

1953 Production of vehicles at Maidstone (TSM and Vulcan) ceases

1956 Singer is acquired by Rootes group

1957 Dodge UK revises its ranges using Perkins engines and Motor Panels cabs, etc

1959 William Rootes becomes Lord Rootes of Ramsbury

1961 ;Honeymoon Strike at Acton starts period of industrial unrest

1963 Rootes (Scotland) formed to manufacture the Imp at Linwood

1964 Chrysler buys 30% interest in Rootes Lord Rootes dies

1967 Reginald Rootes retires. Chrysler buys remaining 70% and takes over. Dodge closes Kew plant, moves to Dunstable

1970 Names changed to Chrysler UK Ltd

1976 Dodge badge displaces Commer

1979Chrysler UK sold to Peugeot-Citroen group. UK operations renamed Talbot

1981 Renault purchase Dodge UK

1987Dodge name dropped in favour of Renault

1990Talbot name dropped

1993 Last year of production at Dunstable

In 1979 the 50 series came out, 25 years ago this year! Badged as Chrysler Dodge with a karrier plate (VIN PLATE)

In 1980 the 50 series was badged Dodge with a Talbot Plate

In 1983 the 50 series was badged dodge with a renault plate

In 1985 the 50 series was badged dodge with a renault logo and renault plate

in 1987 the 50 series became the New 50 series, badged as Renault 50 series with a renault plate.

In 1992 renault sold less than 2000 uk built commercial vehicles

In 1993 (March) the 50 series production line was closed as was all the others.

Dodge Karrier Commer Were no more, Renault UK Built trucks went as well, now it's the main Renault UK Distribution centre for it's FRENCH built Tractor units!!

Boo Hoo

In 1994 a group of chinese people came and took away the entire production line.

In Oct. 2002 dodge50.co.uk was Formed

In Sept 2004 the first dodge50 live forum was held in North Lincs.