Automotive History

Subaru celebrating its 50th year of sales in U.S.

(February 16, 2017) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru today announced its year of 50th celebrations, leading up to its 50th anniversary on Feb. 15, 2018. In keeping with a company known for supporting good causes, the automaker is marking its 50th anniversary with a special donation of “50 cars for 50 years” to benefit a national charity to be announced at a later date.

Chrysler celebrates 90 years of style, engineering, innovation

(September 27, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Six, Airflow, Imperial, New Yorker, 300 and Town & Country are just some of the nameplates that mark the rich history of the Chrysler brand. 2015 marks the 90th anniversary of Chrysler, which was founded on June 6, 1925, by Walter P. Chrysler.

Chrysler represents more than a brand — it symbolizes the people behind the products, and the influence of its founder can still be felt today.

The evolution of the Mustang steering wheel — 1964 to 2015

(September 9, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — When Mustang first debuted in 1964 it singlehandedly defined the Pony Car segment and has been setting the standard for design ever since. It has influenced trends in every aspect of vehicle styling including the steering wheel. The all-new Mustang carries on that leadership trend. From bare aluminum and resin, to Alcantara-wrapped with drive-mode and steering-effort control, Ford is reinventing the wheel.

A generational thing: Camaro design through the years

(March 2, 2015) DETROIT — As the Camaro rolls through the final year of its fifth generation, Chevrolet asked five designers who have contributed to the sporty car’s design to reflect on the styling legacy that helped create an icon.

“While Camaro has evolved with cultural and design trends, it has consistently represented the approachable, attainable sports car with an emphasis on fun that’s evident in its styling,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. “As a result, each generation of Camaro has evoked an emotional connection with enthusiasts – connections spanning 48 years, and five generations.”

Power play — Chevrolet Camaro engines through the years

(February 16, 2015) DETROIT — Chevrolet Camaro has tracked the rise, fall and resurgence of American performance for nearly 50 years, making it a bellwether of horsepower. Since its 1967 introduction, the Camaro’s engine output has ranged from a low of 88 horsepower to a peak of 580, as the pony car rode the highs of the muscle car era in the late-1960s and the lows of the oil embargo-influenced 1970s to the emergence of modern technologies in the 1980s and the unprecedented power and efficiency offered today.

Mazda MX-5 Miata celebrates 25 years of roadster fun

(February 8, 2014) CHICAGO — On Feb. 9, 1989, the world was introduced to the all-new Mazda MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show. A few months later, it was named as one of the five "World's Best Cars" by Road & Track and never looked back.

Chevrolet marks 50th anniversary of first Malibu

(October 4, 2013) DETROIT — In 1964, a gallon of gas cost 30 cents and a movie ticket cost $1.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the year at 874 and The Beatles made their historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. It was also the year Chevrolet introduced the Malibu.

Buick turns 110: 11 highlights of 11 decades

(April 20, 2013) DETROIT — Buick vehicles today are built in state-of-the-art facilities around the world. The Enclave luxury crossover’s Lansing Delta Township plant was the industry’s first LEED Gold-certified manufacturing facility. The brand has evolved in many ways since 1903, when the first Buick was hand-built in a small barn behind David Dunbar Buick’s Detroit home.

Chevrolet trucks mark 95 years of service

(September 30, 2012) DETROIT — It started with a simple idea — a few car chassis fitted with hand-built beds to help carry materials around a booming car factory. Before long, millions of Chevrolet pickups were woven into the fabric of a fast-growing country. Chevy trucks tackled the toughest jobs on farms and in the fields, hauled tools and lumber to the burgeoning suburbs and carried families and friends into the wilds for well-earned vacations.

Nissan Altima enters fifth generation

(May 15, 2012) Nissan in May 2012 introduced the fifth generation of the popular mid-sized Nissan Altima. The Altima is an extemely important car for Nissan. It was the second best-selling car in America in 2011 and Nissan has high hopes ftat the new vehicle can overtake the long-standing front-runner Toyota Camry.