Chrysler Corporation of Canada, which before 1947 enjoyed "Imperial Preference" (reduced tariff barriers in British Empire markets) and did not start building export DeSotos until late in the 1939 model year.

Chrysler Australia introduced a locally produced SP24 series DeSoto Diplomat, based on the 1953 US Plymouth P24 in 1953.

In the early and mid 20th century the New Zealand automotive industry was fully independent from its Australian neighbour.

This began to change after Australia introduced its own locally designed and built Holden, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles which gradually became the prevalent marques in New Zealand by the end of the 1960s.

Unlike Australia, New Zealand did not have the restrictions on imported vehicles which for the Australian market was to encourage local manufacture.