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11 major car brands that have disappeared during the last 20 yearshttps://www.businessinsider.in/miscellaneous/11-major-car-brands-that-have-disappeared-during-the-last-20-years/slidelist/64966703.cms2018-07-12T22:52:26+05:30

11 major car brands that have disappeared during the last 20 years

Jul 12, 2018, 22:52 IST

Hummer (GM): Originally produced in 1992, GM purchased the brand in 1998 and the Hummer H2 hit the market in 2002. Sales peaked at 71,000 in 2006, but high gas prices and the 2008 GM restructuring doomed the Hummer's fate.

Hummer (GM): Originally produced in 1992, GM purchased the brand in 1998 and the Hummer H2 hit the market in 2002. Sales peaked at 71,000 in 2006, but high gas prices and the 2008 GM restructuring doomed the Hummer's fate.

Mercury (Ford): Founded in 1938 as a middle-tier division, Mercury was positioned between the everyman's Ford and the more luxurious Lincoln line. An inability to attract younger buyers led to Mercury being closed in 2010.

Plymouth (Chrysler): First produced in 1928 as a lower priced alternative to the Big 3 flagship cars, Plymouth was eventually dissolved by Chrysler in 2001. But who can ever forget the Plymouth Voyager, king of 1990s suburban minivans?

Pontiac (GM): One of the most iconic brands in American history, Pontiac was first incorporated in 1926. Pontiac was responsible for some unforgettable cars in American lore including the Silver Streak, the Firebird, and the GTO. GM dissolved the brand in 2010.

Pontiac (GM): One of the most iconic brands in American history, Pontiac was first incorporated in 1926. Pontiac was responsible for some unforgettable cars in American lore including the Silver Streak, the Firebird, and the GTO. GM dissolved the brand in 2010.

SAAB: The Swedish automaker was founded in 1945, and GM took a $600 million dollar stake in 1989, acquiring the remaining shares in 2000. Following the 2009 fire-sale, a collection of European car companies owned the troubled brand until it dissolved in 2016.

SAAB: The Swedish automaker was founded in 1945, and GM took a $600 million dollar stake in 1989, acquiring the remaining shares in 2000. Following the 2009 fire-sale, a collection of European car companies owned the troubled brand until it dissolved in 2016.

Geo (GM): Originally conceived in 1989 and based on the Suzuki Swift (among other models), the Geo only lasted until 1997, when it fizzled out due to a lack of interest by American consumers.

Oldsmobile: The world's first carmaker, Ransom E. Olds, brought his original Oldsmobile to the market in 1897. General Motors purchased the brand in 1908. Thirty-five million vehicles later, the esteemed car company shut its doors in 2004 due to declining sales.

Oldsmobile: The world's first carmaker, Ransom E. Olds, brought his original Oldsmobile to the market in 1897. General Motors purchased the brand in 1908. Thirty-five million vehicles later, the esteemed car company shut its doors in 2004 due to declining sales.

Saturn (GM): Formed in 1982 and branded in the '90s as "A different kind of car company," Saturn was created mainly to compete with smaller Japanese brand models. After years of slagging sales, production was halted in October 2009.

Saturn (GM): Formed in 1982 and branded in the '90s as "A different kind of car company," Saturn was created mainly to compete with smaller Japanese brand models. After years of slagging sales, production was halted in October 2009.

Scion (Toyota): Toyota's Scion experiment was an attempt to create a smaller car that would appeal specifically to younger customers. It failed as sales declined substantially following the 2008 recession and the brand was dissolved in 2016.

Scion (Toyota): Toyota's Scion experiment was an attempt to create a smaller car that would appeal specifically to younger customers. It failed as sales declined substantially following the 2008 recession and the brand was dissolved in 2016.

Eagle (Chrysler): Chrysler started Eagle in 1988 to compete with GM's Saturn. Eagle was really the last vestige of American Motors, who was bought by Chrysler in 1987. Unlike like other brands, the Eagle did not feature the iconic Chrysler Pentastar logo, which may have contributed to a lack of consumer interest. Eagle was phased out in 1999.

Eagle (Chrysler): Chrysler started Eagle in 1988 to compete with GM's Saturn. Eagle was really the last vestige of American Motors, who was bought by Chrysler in 1987. Unlike like other brands, the Eagle did not feature the iconic Chrysler Pentastar logo, which may have contributed to a lack of consumer interest. Eagle was phased out in 1999.

Rover: Beginning in 1908 with the two-seater Rover 8, this iconic British car brand produced popular cars like Land Rover and Range Rover prior to various ownership changes. The good times lasted until 2005, once owner BMW declared the brand insolvent.

Rover: Beginning in 1908 with the two-seater Rover 8, this iconic British car brand produced popular cars like Land Rover and Range Rover prior to various ownership changes. The good times lasted until 2005, once owner BMW declared the brand insolvent.

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