Numerous iconic car brands have come and gone in the automotive sector, leaving indelible marks on the roads and in fanatics’ hearts. Studebaker, Saab, and Pontiac were once such famous automobile brands renowned for their brilliant designs and engineering capabilities. However, these manufacturers ceased to exist despite their rich history and devoted consumer base. Here are 10 iconic car brands and the reasons they fell:
Studebaker
Studebaker played a crucial role in the history of the automotive industry, beginning as a stagecoach. It became an automobile in 1902 with its two core variants—Studebaker Commander and President. Their innovation marked the beginning of one of the earliest electric cars in the market, the Studebaker Electric. Unfortunately, the company began to collapse after World War II, and their collaboration with Packard in 1954 failed miserably. The company finally ended in 1966 due to reliability issues and poor management.
DeLorean DMC
Despite its poor performance, the DeLorean DMC would become a cult classic. This vehicle is a popular icon featured in the 1985 movie Back To The Future. The unique gull-wing doors became an area of hype, making its design very futuristic. Alongside performance issues, the vehicle collapsed primarily due to the scandal surrounding the founder, John DeLorean. He was caught in a drug scandal in which he was promised $24 million and was convicted by the FBI.
Saab
Saab emerged in the aftermath of World War 2. It was one of the pioneers of turbocharged technology accompanied by safety features. Two flagship models, the Saab 900 and the Sab 9000, became extremely popular during its reign. One of the biggest reasons for Saab’s downfall was its profit margins. By the end of 2000, General Motors had acquired all the stakes in the company, leading to Saab filing for bankruptcy in 2011.
Pontiac
Models such as the Pontiac GTO and Pontiac Trans Am are still regarded as some of the best vehicles in the automotive industry. However, this iconic car brand was shut down in 2010 as it could not keep up with its other competitors. The brand image significantly declined, and sales kept decreasing. This car dominated the 20th century but was soon diluted alongside the Hummer and Saturn lineups by General Motors.
Saturn
Saturn cars offered high-end performance on a tight budget, appealing to many consumers who previously leaned towards Japanese imports. The Saturn S series soon became its leading lineup, gaining a loyal consumer base since its inception in 1985. Nonetheless, Saturn’s reign could not sustain the 2008 economic crisis.
Oldsmobile
As the name suggests, the Oldsmobile was one of the oldest American automotive brands. Its Curved Dash is remembered alongside its innovative features, such as automatic transmission. Similar to the Beetle, this was one of the most produced cars on the scale, dating back to 1897. Some prominent models of this brand were the Oldsmobile Cutlass and Oldsmobile 442. Nothing lasts forever, and the Oldsmobile’s reign ended in 2004, failing to maintain its relevance.
Mercury
Ford’s legacy is very rich, with countless vehicles catering to the middle class and the wealthy. While the Lincoln lineup was set aside for luxury SUVs, Ford launched the Mercury model in 1938 to bridge the gap. Models such as the Mercury Cougar and Grand Marquis soon became the industry norm. As time passed, better and even more affordable vehicles emerged, pushing back the Mercy. It was discontinued in 2010 with no aim or goal to capture the buyers.
Hummer
The Hummer originated from its military model, the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, made for civilian use in the 1990s. Despite its remarkable performance and off-road capabilities, the era of the Hummer was short-lived. By the end of 2010, all Hummer models, including H1, H2, and H3, soon collapsed. What was once used by generals in wars for transportation and protection is now being revived as an electric vehicle.
Plymouth
Capturing the feeling of the age, the Plymouth was one of the best-selling muscle cars in the 1930s and 1940s. Models such as the Plymouth Barracuda and Plymouth Road Runner are still muscle car legends for their exhilarating performance. Unfortunately, it gave tough competition to the Ford Mustang, falling short in the race. This brand soon died down because it could not provide high-end vehicles with upgraded performance. It was discontinued in 2001 but is a celebrated classic, hailed for its efforts and innovation.
Packard
A symbol of luxury and class, the Packard was a significant rival of Cadillac. Owning a Packard 8 or Packard 12 began a testament to elegance and luxury. This brand is credited with introducing the first air-conditioned car, a unique feature that attracted many high-profile citizens. It merged with Studebaker in 1954 when this vehicle’s sales declined, leading to its fall in 1958.
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