Mopar
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox company Mopar (a portmanteau of "motor" and "parts")<ref name="turbine">Template:Cite web</ref> is an American car parts, service, and customer care division of the former Chrysler Corporation, now owned by Netherlands-based automobile manufacturer Stellantis. It serves as a primary OEM accessory seller for Stellantis companies under the Mopar brand. "Mopar" is also commonly used by automotive enthusiasts as a metonym for Chrysler, and for vehicles sold by its divisions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mopar also designs and builds a small number of customized vehicles.
History
The term was created by an internal activities council and was first used by Chrysler in 1937 as a product name to put on cans of Chrysler Motor Parts Antifreeze.<ref name="turbine" /> This new branded product became known as "MoPar antifreeze" a portmanteau of the terms "motor" and "parts".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mopar parts are original equipment manufactured parts for FCA US LLC vehicles. The term "Mopar" has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to vehicles produced by former parent company Chrysler Corporation/Chrysler Group LLC/FCA US LLC, now known as Stellantis. <ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The term has thus become an inclusive word for any Chrysler-built vehicle— almost any Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial, DeSoto, Fargo (Canada-only in later years) or Dodge Trucks/Ram. By extension, it is also used for Jeep and AMC vehicles built after Chrysler's 1987 buyout of American Motors Corporation, including the short-lived Eagle brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Canada, Chrysler parts were sold under the "Chryco" and "AutoPar" brands until the Mopar brand was introduced into that nation's market, starting in the late 1970s.
Custom cars
Mopar does not have dedicated assembly lines. There are 13 Mopar Custom Shops that install customer-chosen accessories on their vehicles prior to delivery.
There are also limited-edition Mopar versions of Stellantis vehicles. These are marketed featuring custom paint and equipped with numerous Mopar performance and cosmetic modifications.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
An example was the 2013 Dodge Dart finished in black with an offset Mopar Blue racing stripe and featuring sport-tuned steering, exhaust, premium brakes with slotted rotors, lowered sport suspension, and gloss black 18-inch aluminum wheels with low profile performance tires. The Dart had production plans for 500 units.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A special edition Mopar 2017 Dodge Challenger was introduced at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show as part of 80th anniversary of the Mopar brand.<ref name="jdpower80">Template:Cite web</ref> A total of 160 were built: half were finished in "contusion blue" with "pitch black" effects and the second half in "billet silver" with "pitch black" accents.<ref name="jdpower80"/>
Sponsorship
Template:Multiple image Over its 80 years, Mopar has sponsored a number of racers in a variety of motorsports series.
In 1996, Mopar sponsored the No. 30 car of Jimmy Hensley in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. From 2004 to 2007 Mopar sponsored the No. 9 car driven by Kasey Kahne in the Nextel Cup Series for the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. They also sponsored his sprint car.
In the United States and Canada, Mopar participates in Formula D. Formula Drift drivers are Samuel Hübinette, and in Canadian Drift Championship Vanessa Ozawa, Kevin Huynh, and John Yakomoto. Mopar had sponsored NHRA drag racer Allen Johnson in that series' Pro Stock division for 20 years, but for 2016 season they sponsored Jegs Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders-Stevens.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mopar remains active in drag racing events. It sponsors Don Schumacher Racing drivers, such as Tony Schumacher, in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Drivers of the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak are eligible for a variety of Mopar contingency awards and benefits.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mopar sponsors the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals held each July in Denver.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the longest-running sponsorship in all of drag racing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
- List of Chrysler engines
- ACDelco – General Motors' auto parts division
- Motorcraft – Ford's auto parts division
References
External links
- Template:Official website
- The Meaning of MoPar, an illustrated history of the company, its products, and (most interesting) logos.
Template:Chrysler Group LLC Template:Stellantis Template:Automotive industry in the United States