Established in 1925, Chrysler Is Celebrating a Century of Innovation

Chrysler kicked off its 100-year anniversary celebration at the 2025 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), as the show celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. Chrysler says its exhibit includes a special three-vehicle display that showcases the brand’s iconic past, segment-leading present and bright future: the 1924 Chrysler Six, 2025 Chrysler Pacifica and Chrysler Halcyon Concept. The New York International Auto Show runs until April 27.

“Chrysler holds a significant place in automotive history and culture and has been a symbol of innovation and resilience for 100 years,” said Chris Feuell, Chrysler CEO. “It’s an entire century of innovation: from its introduction of the HEMI V-8 engine to the creation of the minivan segment and Stow ‘n Go seating. As one of the original Big Three, Chrysler contributed to industrial growth and influenced culture with iconic vehicles like the Chrysler 300. Chrysler is more than just a car brand; it’s a key part of the automotive industry.”

Chrysler officially rings in 100 years on June 6, 2025—the date Maxwell Motors officially became Chrysler Corporation with Walter P. Chrysler as president—featuring a lineup of initiatives and events to honor its 100-year history.

The Chrysler Century of Innovation social media campaign will feature a multi-part video series taking an in-depth look at iconic vehicles, groundbreaking concepts, technological innovations and historic moments from Chrysler’s 100 years. Chrysler will also debut a 100th anniversary line of branded merchandise, including apparel and gifts, at Collection.Chrysler.com. Additional Century of Innovation events and initiatives will be announced later this year.

“Reaching 100 years is an accomplishment we want to both celebrate and use as an opportunity to declare our commitment to a future that honors Walter P. Chrysler’s legacy of innovation, engineering excellence and beautiful, affordable designs,” Feuell added. “As the brand celebrates this milestone, the future looks bright with exciting new releases: a refreshed Chrysler Pacifica in 2026, a new crossover soon after and a third product inspired by the Halcyon concept.”

Vehicles on Display at the New York International Auto Show

Here’s a closer look at the three cars Chrysler has chosen to display at the NYIAS. These cars are intended to showcase where the brand started, where it is today and where it’s heading in the future:

1924 Chrysler Six

The Chrysler Six represents a full-circle moment in automotive history. On loan from the Stellantis automotive archive, it’s the very same vehicle that founder Walter P. Chrysler brought to New York City for the 1924 National Automobile Show.

The original Chrysler brand vehicle, the Chrysler Six, was a light, powerful vehicle equipped with a groundbreaking L-head six-cylinder engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, an uncommon feature in the 1920s. The 1924 price tag of $1,565 included tubular front axles, full pressure lubrication, aluminum pistons, replaceable oil and air filters, shock absorbers and indirect interior lighting.

2025 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid

Chrysler created the minivan segment, and more than 40 years and 15 million minivans later, the brand says it continues to be a leader in the segment, helping families come together on their journeys with the Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, which was introduced for the 2017 model year. Chrysler says the Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid is still the first and only plug-in hybrid in the segment, and the Pacifica is the most-awarded minivan ever. It offers segment-exclusive features such as Stow ‘n Go, a seating and storage system that allows second- and third-row seats to stow into the floor. Chrysler is celebrating 20 years of the feature in 2025 with a special Stow ‘n Go Challenge at NYIAS.

Chrysler Halcyon Concept

Unveiled in 2024 and making its first appearance at the NYIAS, the Chrysler Halcyon Concept represents a future design theme and direction for Chrysler that is based on the brand’s vision of Harmony in Motion.

Crafted with modern, sustainable design and integrated technology, the Halcyon Concept stands out with a pure, streamlined exterior design statement that balances aerodynamic and sculptural elements, and an immersive interior with nearly a 360-degree range of view, creating a cockpit that is stress-free with autonomous features, according to a press release. Select design elements and features of the Halcyon Concept, such as the advanced Head-up Display and SmartCockpit, are features and experiences that may be offered in future Chrysler products.

10 Key Innovations From Chrysler Over the Past 100 Years

Chrysler has a century of industry innovations and iconic vehicles. According to the company, here are 10 of its key innovations over its 100-year history:

• Future Vision: The 1934 Chrysler Airflow is the first production vehicle designed in a wind tunnel, in a new facility built by Chrysler at its Highland Park, Michigan, headquarters. Wind tunnel testing inspired the Airflow’s modified teardrop shape and resulted in a vehicle that represented future design and engineering advances.
• HEMI B-Day: The HEMI engine owns an iconic place in the history of Stellantis brands, and the high-horsepower fun all started back in 1951 with the Chrysler Firepower V-8 engine, the first of the legendary hemispheric V-8.
• Turbine Power: Chrysler begins testing a revolutionary gas turbine engine in 1954; in 1963, 50 Chrysler Turbine cars are loaned to 200 families throughout the country for real-world evaluation.
• OG Muscle: One of the first muscle cars, the Chrysler 300, is introduced in 1955. The hardtop contained a 300-horsepower HEMI V-8, with solid valve lifters and dual four-barrel carburetors, the most powerful full-size car in the world.
• Cruisin’ Ahead: As the nation’s system of highways begins to take shape, Chrysler is prepared, introducing automatic speed control in 1958 and cruise control as an option in 1959.
• Disc Changer: In 1956, Chrysler introduces an in-vehicle record player, and in 1960 introduces a vehicle record player for 45 rpm discs, with a capacity of 19 small records.
• Minivan Memories: On November 2, 1983, the first minivan rolls off the line for the 1984 model year. More than 40 years later, Chrysler is still a segment leader with the Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid and Voyager.
• Open Sesame: In 1996, Chrysler introduces a driver-side sliding door and, later in 2001, power dual-sliding doors.
• Still Stow ‘n Go in’: A class-exclusive feature for 20 years after its introduction for the 2005 model year, Stow ‘n Go revolutionizes the minivan, with the ability to stow the second- and third-row seats.
• TV Time: In 2022, Chrysler Pacifica begins offering a rear-seat subscription-based TV on the Pacifica Uconnect Theater system.