When Penske Automotive Group backed out of a deal to purchase the Saturn brand from General Motors in late September 2009, it marked the end of the Saturn company that was formed in 1985. The Saturn idea was conceived by GM Chairman Roger Smith and GM President F. James McDonald. It was to be a "New Kind of Company" to compete with the Japanese brands.

MAHWAH, N.J. —  This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name and 75 years of looking forward, designing and building cars that represent the very best of technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success.


WOLFSBURG, Germany — From very modest beginnings “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH,” established in Berlin on May 28, 1937, with a share capital of 480,000 Reichsmark, has become one of the world’s largest automakers with headquarters in present-day Wolfsburg.
 
With the company founded by "Deutsche Arbeitsfront," the National Socialists instrumentalized the vision of a "Volkswagen" (people’s car) which had fascinated automobile engineers and the public since the turn of the century.

Since its inception, Infiniti’s goal has been to establish a new concept of automotive luxury, where a personal and rewarding driving experience is more important than the car alone.

With a corporate history spanning over 85 years Suzuki Motor Corporation has achieved international success by maintaining a continuous policy of designing and producing value-packed, quality products to innovatively meet everyday customer needs.

During the last 40 years, design and technological expertise has produced a range of unique and ground breaking 4x4 vehicles that emphasizes this spirit and achieved an enviable reputation and respect throughout the world.

The journey from the original 240Z to the current 370Z made a number of interesting stops along the past 40 years. 

Every vehiclle sold in the United States and in Europe undergoes crash testing.

But that wasn't the case when Mercedes-Benz conducted its first crash test on Sept. 10, 1959 when a test car was accelerated head-on towards a stationary obstacle.

TORRANCE, Calif.  — Honda on June 11 marked its first 50 years in America, commemorating the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in a small Los Angeles storefront on June 11, 1959. Honda associates observed the occasion with a brief ceremony at the company's Torrance, Calif. headquarters.

By Jim Meachen

RICHMOND, Ind. (July 2008) — More than 15 million Model T Fords were built worldwide from 1908 to 1927.  That’s an astounding number for a time when there were only a few million cars on the dusty roads of America and Europe. Even more astounding, by 1921 more than half of all the vehicles sold worldwide were Ford Model Ts.

The style has changed, but not the content: “Many German motorists see motoring not just as a comfortable and fast means of transport, but also as a sporting activity. These are people who, once they see an aerodynamic car body with a long and sleek engine compartment, as well as a speedometer extending all the way to 150 km/h, feel that strong yearning for wide open roads simply perfect for driving fast, for Alpine passes just begging to be conquered, and for competitors so easy to overtake.”