More Than Just Four Wheels
Some car brands have histories that are surprisingly dramatic, with stories involving wartime production, bankruptcies, racing victories, celebrity owners, family feuds, and completely unexpected changes in direction. A company that started by building motorcycles might eventually become famous for supercars, while another could spend decades making practical family vehicles before becoming a luxury powerhouse.
1. Ford
Much of Ford’s history relates back to its founder, Henry Ford. One of his core beliefs was that every American should be able to own a car. Ford’s moving assembly line for the Model T revolutionized production and cemented the car as a staple consumer good. The automaker was also known for strange workplace practices and the infamous five-dollar Ford workday of 1914.
2. Ferrari
Though today the Ferrari name is famous because of its sports cars, founder Enzo Ferrari wasn’t really involved with building road cars early in his career. Ferrari spent years in racing before founding the company that produced cars. Ferrari itself stayed true to its racing roots, and its signature prancing horse logo is one of the most iconic in all of motorsports.
3. Lamborghini
There’s something undeniably funny about Lamborghini’s humble beginnings. Before founding the company that would make him famous, Ferruccio Lamborghini was rich because of his success in manufacturing tractors. After becoming wealthy, Lamborghini developed a taste for expensive sports cars and wasn’t happy with his Ferrari.
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4. Toyota
When Toyota first got its start in business, it wasn’t in the automotive industry at all. The company traces its origins back to Sakichi Toyoda’s textile machinery business. One of his sons, Kiichiro Toyoda, eventually took an interest in cars and founded Toyota Motor Company in 1937.
5. Porsche
Interestingly enough, Porsche as a company didn’t exist when founder Ferdinand Porsche began his career as an engineer. Porsche worked for a number of automotive companies before founding the German firm by himself. Porsche became well-known for its work in racing, engineering, and high-performance sports cars.
6. Volkswagen
Founded in 1937, Volkswagen was started with the idea of producing a car for the people. Germany’s goal was to produce an affordable car that every family could enjoy. Volkswagen’s “people’s car” eventually became known as the Beetle, one of the most iconic cars of all time.
7. BMW
BMW might be known today for its expensive luxury vehicles, but its origins are completely different. The company gained recognition for its aircraft engine production before ever producing a car. BMW started in motorcycles before starting automobile production, which may be why performance is still such a big part of its image.
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8. Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is one of the few cars on this list you can trace back to pioneers of the automotive age. Many automotive greats had a hand in developing Mercedes-Benz, but two of the most notable names are Benz and Daimler. Benz is responsible for developing the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, and Daimler was working on his own automotive technologies as well.
9. Honda
Honda founder Soichiro Honda had an interest in mechanical design long before his company would manufacture its first car. Honda initially became famous for motorcycles, eventually establishing itself as one of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers. Its later expansion into automobiles produced everything from economical commuter cars to high-revving performance models.
10. Subaru
The origins of Subaru tie back to a larger company called Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. The name Subaru refers to the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, which is represented in the company's famous logo. Subaru eventually became strongly associated with horizontally opposed engines and all-wheel drive.
11. Mazda
Mazda's history might be the strangest of the bunch because the company began in 1920 as a manufacturer of cork products. It later moved into machinery and eventually automobiles, developing a reputation for unconventional engineering. Mazda became particularly famous for embracing the Wankel rotary engine.
12. Volvo
Swedish automaker Volvo began producing cars in the 1920s. Volvo originally concentrated on producing cars that were built to last with an emphasis on practicality. Safety became a huge selling point for Volvo during its history.
13. Jeep
Jeep actually began with World War II, when there was a high demand for small four-wheel-drive vehicles. These cars were noted for being able to go where regular cars couldn’t, which is where Jeep’s slogan and branding stemmed from after the war.
14. Rolls-Royce
British luxury automaker Rolls-Royce was formed through a partnership between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. One was an affluent gentleman with a passion for the automobile, while the other was a skilled engineer. Soon, Rolls-Royce was producing incredibly well-made automobiles while its engineering division was making some of the best airplane engines in the world.
15. Aston Martin
Okay, so maybe Aston Martin hasn’t changed owners this many times, but the brand’s history is filled with strange twists and turns. Aston Martin’s history is littered with financial troubles, takeovers, and public failures. Aston Martin eventually became saved by new investors.
16. Citroën
Citroën’s history is strange because it wasn’t afraid to take risks with design. You’ll notice this instantly when looking at classics like the Citroën DS. Citroën produced cars with technologically advanced features long before they were commonplace.
17. Tesla
Tesla entered the automotive industry when electric vehicles were still widely viewed as niche products with limited appeal. Its early Roadster demonstrated that an electric car could deliver serious performance, while the Model S helped push EVs into the luxury market. Tesla played a major role in forcing established automakers to take electric vehicles seriously.
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18. Nissan
Nissan is another automaker that sold cars under a different name for many years. The company eventually phased out Datsun in favor of Nissan, creating a more unified global identity. Nissan later became part of the Renault-Nissan alliance, and its history since then has included everything from the iconic GT-R to increasingly mainstream electric vehicles.
19. Hyundai
Hyundai's automotive history began as part of a much larger South Korean business empire rather than as a dedicated car company. The Hyundai Motor Company was established in 1967, initially producing vehicles with technology and partnerships from overseas manufacturers. Over time, Hyundai developed its own engineering capabilities.
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20. General Motors
Like Honda, General Motors wasn’t founded by the actual individuals who worked there. General Motors was founded in 1908 and proceeded to gobble up other car companies. Some of GM’s brands that you may be familiar with include Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac.
