Smart Car History

Current smart Models All smart Models  Source: edmunds.com Usually, Italian exotic sports cars are best at getting other motorists' attention when driving down the road. But the diminutive "Smart car," as many people refer to it, turns just as many heads. But in this case, a Smart is about fuel economy and efficiency, not performance. Smart began in 1993 as a joint venture between Daimler-Benz and Swiss watchmaker Swatch, creating a company known as Micro Compact Car AG headquartered in Biel, Switzerland. (It would later move to Germany and be known simply as Smart.) Its "city cars" would feature the build quality and engineering expertise of Mercedes-Benz, while Swatch would contribute its funky design philosophy. The resulting...

Read more »

Current Scion Models All Scion Models Only a few years old, Scion is the youngest brand on the market -- a fact that seems appropriate, given that it's targeted at a very youthful demographic. Scion has quickly found a home in the hearts of buyers seeking its winning blend of value and style. The frosting on this cake is that Scion is part of the Toyota family, offering all the quality and reliability you'd expect from a marque with its parentage. When Toyota realized early in the 21st century that it was losing market share in the younger demographic due to a stodgy image, the company took a chance and decided to spin off a new brand called Scion (its name means "descendant" or "heir to"). The first Scions, the xA and xB models,...

Read more »

Saturn History

Source: Saturn Corporation Saturn Corporation was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors in January 1985. The Saturn concept began in 1982 as a response to increasing import competition and a traditional, adversarial relationship between union and management. The two would ultimately form a partnership to study and implement an innovative way to develop and market U.S. manufactured small cars. Together, this partnership created a distinct and clear mission, supported by a philosophy and set of shared values. Saturn’s mission, philosophy and values are all directed toward recapturing new customers and achieving world-class levels of quality and customer enthusiasm....

Read more »

Saab History

SAAB, Svenska Aeroplan Aktie Bolag (Swedish Airplane Corporation) Source: Swedish Airplane Corporation In 1938, the Saab factory was built in Trollhattan Sweden. At this time, they were not an automobile manufacturer. With World War II on the horizon, the Royal Swedish Air Force was in need of aircraft. On September 1, 1939 war broke out and Saab built bombers and fighters. The Saab factory was prepared for the task with two previous years of modernizing their production methods. These airplanes were mainly copies of German and American design. Saabs first in-house designed aircraft rolled off the line in 1941, the Saab 17. It was far from perfect, but the bugs were worked out quickly. A Bomber, Saab 18 was also produce...

Read more »

Pontiac History

Source: General Motors Corporation In 1907, the Oakland Motor Car Co., predecessor to Pontiac Motor, is founded by Edward M. Murphy on August 28, 1907 in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1909, General Motors purchases a half interest in Oakland Motor Car Co. on January 20, 1909. When its founder, Edward Murphy, passes away the following summer, his company comes under the full control of General Motors. In 1932, the Oakland name is dropped from the vehicle line and Pontiac becomes the name of the division. In 1926, the first Pontiac car is introduced by Oakland. The 'Chief of the Sixes,' a 6-cylinder car, is launched at the 1926 New York Auto Sh...

Read more »

Panoz History

Current Panoz Models All Panoz Models Panoz is an automobile manufacturer whose sexy sports cars are exotics in the truest sense of the word. The company's cars are drop-dead gorgeous and come with steep price tags; additionally, given the fact that a relatively small number of Panoz cars are made each year, a Panoz offers more exclusivity than your typical Ferrari or Bentley. Panoz makes only sports cars and its current lineup consists of just one model, the Esperante, available in both roadster and coupe body styles. Introduced in 2001 and relatively unchanged since then, the Esperante is hand-built and made mostly of aluminu...

Read more »

Mitsubishi History

Current Mitsubishi Models All Mitsubishi Models Mitsubishi has its roots in producing commercial vehicles for its home market of Japan. Its current selection of vehicles, which include cars, trucks and SUVs, tend to offer above-average performance and style. A Japanese word meaning "three diamonds," Mitsubishi was founded in by Yataro Iwasaki, a descendant of samurais, in the early 1870s. The company's initial focus was on shipping, but it quickly diversified into areas such as mining and ship repair. In 1917, Mitsubishi unveiled the Model A, Japan's first series production passenger car. However, in the years that led up to World War II, the division responsible for transportation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was focused mainly...

Read more »

MINI History

Current MINI Models All MINI Models Few cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis with a space-efficient interior and a generous standard features list. The history of the Mini make began in 1959. The original Mini motorcar was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England and its mission was to be a lightweight, agile four-passenger car that took up minimal...

Read more »

Mercury History

Current Mercury Models All Mercury Models Mercury is a division of Ford Motor Company marketed as being somewhat more upscale than Ford. Throughout the latter part of its 71-year history, Mercury's vehicles were essentially Fords with unique styling details and special features meant to enhance desirability. However, this limited-scope strategy led to a diminishing market share over the years as shoppers found little reason to choose a Mercury. By the time it was discontinued in late 2010, Mercury was but a shell of its former self. It all started in the 1930s, when Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford hierarchy, one that would slot vehicles between the everyman Ford Deluxes...

Read more »

Mazda History

Current Mazda Models All Mazda Models There are affordable cars, and then there are cars that offer thrilling performance. Rarely do the two ever converge, but Japanese automaker Mazda has made a tradition of coming up with vehicles that combine both of these eminently desirable traits. The Toyo Cork Kogyo Company, founded in 1920 in Hiroshima, Japan, used the name "Mazda" for its first three-wheeled truck, built in 1931. Company founder Jujiro Matsuda chose the word "Mazda" because it was the name of the Zoroastrian god of good and light. Work on a small sedan began in the late 1930s, but development was halted so the company could pitch in with Japan's war effort. In the wake of World War II and the rebuilding that followed, the...

Read more »

Maybach History

Current Maybach Models All Maybach Models With a highly focused lineup that consists of just two incredibly sumptuous touring sedans, Maybach creates luxury cars that are as exclusive as they are expensive. The automaker's vehicles are custom-built to each customer's taste. A long list of options, colors and interior furnishings can be applied to any vehicle, but you won't find a selection of popularly equipped Maybachs waiting on dealer lots. Instead, you must order your vehicle by visiting a Maybach dealer's "Commissioning Studio," housed within a Mercedes-Benz dealership. The company's name comes from Wilhelm Maybach, one of Germany's first automotive engineers. He designed the first car that bore a Mercedes badge in 1901 and...

Read more »

Maserati History

Current Maserati Models All Maserati Models Italian sports-car excitement doesn't have to come at super-steep prices. Maserati has made a name for itself as a maker of lust-worthy exotics that, though costly, are bargains relative to their stratospherically priced competition. Maserati cars currently come in a number of configurations that range from an open sports car to a spacious luxury sport sedan. The company was founded in 1914 by six Maserati brothers: Carlo, Bindo, Alfieri, Mario, Ettore and Ernesto. Based in Bologna, Italy, the brothers were racing enthusiasts and planned to craft racecars for private use. Mario, an artist, was believed to have based the company's trident emblem on a statue of the mythological god Neptune...

Read more »

Mahindra History

Few groups can identify as closely with India's destiny and industrial progress as the Mahindra Group. In fact, Mahindra is like a microcosm of India. Both were born around the same time, had the same aspirations and both experienced the inevitable troughs and crests in the journey towards their goals. And both continue to march on the path to progress and global recognition. The birth of Mahindra & Mahindra began when K.C. Mahindra visited the United States of America as Chairman of the...

Read more »

Lotus History

Type 1 - Trials Special (1948) The first Lotus based on a 1930 Austin 7 saloon. Chapman ensured that every body panel was stressed such that it would add to overall strength of the car without adding unnecessary weight. This was an engineering philosophy which was to carry on for the rest of Lotus history  Type 7 - Lotus Seven (1957 - 1972) The Lotus Seven began as an uprated version of the successful Lotus Mark 6 (which was the first production sports car ...

Read more »

Lincoln History

Current Lincoln Models All Lincoln Models Lincoln is an automaker with a long history of building upscale vehicles for the American market. A division of Ford, Lincoln differentiates its vehicles through additional luxury features, more powerful engines and unique styling. The automaker's lineup includes cars, pickups and SUVs. The company was established in 1917 by Henry Leland, an automotive parts manufacturer who had previously founded the Cadillac brand. He named the company after his boyhood hero: the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Early Lincoln models include the L Series and the K Series. The company quickly hit dire straits, however, and was bought by Ford Motor Company in 192...

Read more »

Volvo History

History of the Volvo CarVolvo, Latin for "I roll", was born on April 14th, 1927 when the first car "Jakob" left the factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. Founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, the company was formed on a background of quality and safety which were both of paramount importance, a concept that still applies to the Volvo cars of today. The fledgling company produced both closed top and cabriolet models of their new four-cylinder OV4 and PV4 models, which were constructed to better withstand the harsh Swedish climate, than contemporary US imports. Both carried the Swedish symbol for iron attached to a diagonal piece if metal on the front grille – another aspect of Volvo’s heritage that can still...

Read more »

Volkswagen History

Today, Volkswagen is the largest automaker in Europe. However, it has not always been this way...     Literally, the word "volkswagen" means "people's car." In Germany, the idea of a people's car wasn't exactly a new one. Before the 1930's, there had been many efforts to create simple cars that everyone could afford, but none met with profound success. Almost all cars before 1930, even if they were designed to be simple enough for the average person, ended up costing more than the average worker's yearly wage.     Meanwhile, the year is 1930, and Ferdinand Porsche had just set up an automotive design company, which became known as the Porsche Büro. The company patented a sophisticated...

Read more »

Lexus History

Source: LexusEstablished in the early 1980s and launched in 1989, the Lexus marque soon became associated with quality, luxury and superior customer satisfaction. The brand reputation grew quickly until, barely a dozen years after its founding, Lexus became America's best-selling line of luxury motor vehicles. Lexus belongs to the global Toyota family, whose members together constitute the world's third-leading automaker...

Read more »

Land Rover History

Current Land Rover Models All Land Rover Models Land Rover is a luxury SUV manufacturer that has its roots in England. Many of its vehicles are replete with the sort of leather-lined comforts that call to mind hunting lodges and high tea. Land Rovers are also known for being stellar trail-busters, endowed with the moxie to get down and dirty when the road gets rough. Currently owned by Indian automaker Tata, Land Rover is one of just a few automotive brands in the United States to solely market SUV products. Land Rover got its start after World War II. Two British brothers, Spencer and Maurice Wilks, were impressed by the rugged and versatile nature of the U.S. Army's Jeep. They worked with the British automaker Rover to create...

Read more »

Kia History

Current Kia Models All Kia Models Kia Motors is a Korean automaker that caters to budget-minded consumers. The company's new vehicles are typically priced below competing models and represent a very good value when taking into consideration their high feature content and substantial warranty coverage. Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C10...

Read more »

Jeep History

Source: wikipedia.org There are many explanations of the origin of the word "jeep," all of which have proven difficult to verify. One notion holds that the vehicle bore the designation "GP" (for "Government Purposes" or "General Purpose"), which was phonetically slurred into the word jeep. However, R. Lee Ermey, on his television series Mail Call, disputes this, saying that the vehicle was designed for specific duties, and was never referred to as "General Purpose" and it is highly unlikely that the average jeep-driving GI would have been familiar with this designation. The Ford GPW abbreviation actually meant (G for government use, P to designate its 80-inch (2,000 mm) wheelbase and W to indicate its Willys-Overland designed...

Read more »

Jaguar History

Current Jaguar Models All Jaguar Models Jaguar cars have a long history of elegant styling and sporting performance. The brand was born in the United Kingdom, and for years its vehicles were synonymous with the old-world luxury of the British upper classes. More recently, Jaguar has been under the ownership of other automakers, but Jaguar cars will always bear the unmistakable gleam of traditional English refinement. The company traces its roots to the Swallow Sidecar Company, founded in 1922 by Bill Lyons and William Walmsley. Based in Blackpool, England, the company produced a popular line of aluminum motorcycle sidecars. Swallow eventually switched its focus to automobile production, changing its name to SS Cars Ltd. in 1933....

Read more »

Isuzu History

As one of the oldest companies in the Japanese automotive industry, Isuzu traces its beginnings to 1916, the year Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. and Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. initiated plans for automobile production. In 1922, Japan's first domestically produced truck, a Wolseley model A-9, was completed. In 1934, after meeting Ministry of Trade and Industry standards, vehicles were renamed 'Isuzu' after the Isuzu River in the Ise Shrine area. This is the origin of the company name, which was changed to today's 'Isuzu Motors Limited' in 1949. After World War II, development and production of trucks occurred at a feverish pace. Isuzu trucks were needed to carry all kinds of products and foodstuffs, and...

Read more »

Infiniti History

Source: Infiniti Infiniti History and Highlights: Inception to 2004 On November 8, 1989, after years of study and planning, Infiniti opened the doors of its first 51 dealers. On the showroom floors were two brand new models, the breakthrough Q45 performance luxury sedan and the driver-oriented M30 performance luxury coupe. Fast forward to 2004, there are now more than 160 Infiniti dealerships that are stocked with exciting coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUV's, including two recently introduced models: the G35 Sedan AWD and the QX56 full-size luxury SUV. When the QX56 went on sale last February (2004), it became Infiniti's fourth V8-powered vehicle, joining the Q45 and M45 sedans and FX45 crossover SUV, and the third to feature all-wheel...

Read more »

Fisker History

Henrik Fisker  co-founded the company in 2007 with business partner Bernhard Koehler after securing a relatively small investment from a Palo Alto Investors. This is not Mr Fisker's first venture in the automobile manufacturing business. In 2005 he and Koehler left Aston Martin to establish Fisker Coachbuild, in an attempt to revive the lost art of coachbuilding automobiles to customer specifications. The Fisker Tramanto and Latigo utilized chassis and powertrains from Mercedes-Benz SL and BMW 6-Series automobiles. Several were purchased but the business soon gave way to Fisker Automotive, a true automobile manufacturer. [edit] Investo...

Read more »

Fiat History

Fiat was founded On 11 July 1899 at Palazzo Bricherasio, the company charter of “Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino” was signed. Among the members of the Board of Directors, Giovanni Agnelli stood out in the group of investors and won recognition for his determination and strategic vision. In 1902 he became the Managing Director of the company. The first factory was opened The first factory was opened in 1900 in Corso Dante. 150 workers were employed there and produced 24 cars, among which the 3/12 HP, not yet fitted with reverse gear. The Fiat logo, oval on a blue background and designed by Biscaretti, was adopted in 1904. First wins in the races The first Car Tour of Italy saw 9 Fiat cars arrive at the finish line....

Read more »

Dodge History

Source: Dodge Dodge Brand Heritage Chronology 1901-1914: Brothers John and Horace Dodge, talented machinists and ambitious businessmen, rose from humble beginnings to become giants in the early American automobile industry. In 1901, after several years of building bicycles and piecework components for the budding auto industry, the brothers founded a machine shop in Detroit and began producing transmissions for the Olds Motor Works. Within a year, they agreed to build engines for Henry Ford, stopped building components for Olds, and accepted Ford's offer of 10 percent of his company's stoc...

Read more »

Chrysler History

Current Chrysler Models All Chrysler Models Born in 1925, Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions. The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the...

Read more »

Buick History

Current Buick Models All Buick Models Owned by General Motors, Buick is one of this country's oldest brands, with a rich tradition of innovation that dates back to the turn of the century. Aimed at traditional American luxury-car buyers, Buick cars tend to place a priority on a plush ride rather than sporty performance. Although historically known for catering to retirement-age customers with its full-size sedans, the automaker's lineup now includes SUVs and minivans designed to bring younger buyers into the showrooms of Buick dealers. The company was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, a Scottish industrialist. He built his first car in 1904; called the Model B, it had a two-cylinder engine with an advanced-for-its-time overhead-valve...

Read more »

Bugatti History

Source: Bugatti Ettore Bugatti was born into an artist's family, in Milan, Italy, on September 15th, 1881. His father, Carlo Bugatti, was a famous sculptor and respected artistic carpenter in his own right. His furniture creations, which were marked by Arabic influences, were prized well beyond the borders of Italy. 1897 After finishing school, and a short stay at the Academy of Art, in Milan, Ettore Bugatti began his training at the bicycle manufacturer Prinetti and Stucchi. Young Bugatti was especially fascinated by the technology and mechanics of the automobile, which had only been recently invented. At age 17, Ettore equipped a tricycle with a motor, and soon thereafter followed it with another tricycle driven by twin DeDion...

Read more »

Audi History

Source: Audi Audi's history is one of the most many-faceted stories ever told in the history of the automobile in general. The Audi emblem with its four rings identifies one of Germany's oldest-established automobile manufacturers. It symbolises the amalgamation in 1932 of four previously independent motor-vehicle manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. These companies form the roots of what is today AUDI AG. The Audi badge – the 'Four Rings' – is the emblem of one of the oldest car manufacturers in German...

Read more »

Acura History

Source: Acura Since 1986, Acura has consistently raised the performance standards for luxury cars, from performance coupes and sedans to the MDX sport-utility vehicle and NSX exotic sports car. The performance luxury division of the American Honda Motor Company, Acura is renowned for its groundbreaking technologies, superior engineering and aggressive styling. And above all, the Acura brand is celebrated for its unsurpassed quality. Every vehicle is built upon the premise that integrity breeds excellence. And this ethos extends beyond its workings in the automobile industry. From its sponsorship of sporting events to its participation in community affairs, Acura is committed to fostering many modes of performance. After a decade...

Read more »

Aston Martin History

The History of Aston Martin It all started in 1913 when two cycling buddies, over a couple pints at the end of a long day on the hill climbs (ok, I'm embellishing the back story a bit here) decided to go into business together. The two men where Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford. They started out selling Singer automobiles. They were both handy mechanics and Lionel was an accomplished driver. He was often seen racing at the near by Aston Hill Hillclimb races near Aston Clinton. In 1914 the two decided to start to build there own vehicles and Aston Martin was born. ...

Read more »

Rolls Royce history

The meeting led to an agreement that Rolls would exclusively sell as many cars as Royce could produce. The marque launched in 1904 following a verbal agreement made back in May although a formal agreement was not signed between the two until December. C.S. Rolls & Co were the sole agents for a series of two, three, four and six cylinder cars that broke the mould for engineering and craftsmanship. By 1907 Royce had created the first Silver Ghost, a car of legendary smoothness that completed a 14,371-mile virtually non-stop run that led a journalist to call it 'the best car in the world'...

Read more »

Porsche history

Current Porsche Models All Porsche Models Porsche cars have a virtually untarnished reputation and are considered among the finest performance vehicles in the world. It's a reputation that's well-deserved. With razor-sharp handling and power aplenty, Porsche vehicles offer a driving experience like no other. It's little wonder that, for many, the marque has come to define the sports car category. For years, the only Porsches available were sleek sports cars, but the manufacturer recently expanded its lineup to include other types of vehicle...

Read more »

Nissan history

Current Nissan Models All Nissan Models Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on edgy styling and performance. The company's lineup of vehicles is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs. The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co....

Read more »

McLaren History

Source: McLaren McLAREN AT LE MANS Le Mans 24-hour Grand Prix d'Endurance, the ultimate test of man and machine. A whole day of non-stop racing on the La Sarthe circuit in France, at speeds of over 320km an hour. McLaren's success at the event began in 1995, when the team entered the McLaren F1 GTR model. The car piloted by Frenchman Yannick Dalmas, the former Finnish Formula 1 driver JJ Lehto and Masanori Sekiya took the chequered flag and overall victory, making McLaren the first manufacturer to win the event in its inaugural year, having completed 298 laps at an average speed of 168.992 km...

Read more »

Lamborghini

Current Lamborghini Models All Lamborghini Models Beloved by enthusiasts everywhere, Lamborghini cars are built for speed and to look the part. Extreme style and extreme performance are the chief characteristics of Ferrari's national rival. Unless your zip code is 90210, you're not likely to see a scissor-doored Lamborghini ahead of you in the Starbucks drive-thru or parked next to you at the mall; these are exclusive automobiles designed to cater to a small, very specialized audienc...

Read more »

Hyundai Motor

HYUNDAI FOUNDER, JU-YUNG CHUNG The beginning of Hyundai Motor Company dates to April 1946 when founder, Ju-Yung Chung  established Hyundai Auto Service in Seoul, South Korea at the age of 31 years.   The name Hyundai was chosen for its meaning which in English translates to “modern.”  The Hyundai logo is symbolic of the company's desire to expand. The oval shape represents the company's global expansion and the stylized "H" is symbolic of two people (the company and customer) shaking hand...

Read more »

Honda history

Current Honda Models All Honda Models Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety. Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and petrol-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines...

Read more »

Ford Motor history

Current Ford Models All Ford Models For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of dynamic and innovative products that offer considerable value for the money. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America....

Read more »