Changing Times
If Pontiac and Hummer are names you fondly remember, then you're all too aware of how brands rise and fall in popularity. With that in mind, here are 10 brands that fell off, and 10 that took their place as kings of the road.
1. Plymouth
Plymouth was a car brand owned and produced by Chrysler until 2001. Some of the most popular models used to be the Barracuda and their Voyager minivan for their unique looks and practicality. Over the years, Chrysler has shifted their focus to other sub-brands like Dodge, making Plymouth redundant.
2. Pontiac
Pontiacs used to make some of the coolest looking cars on the market that did not lack in performance either. Models like the Firebird, Grand Prix, and GTO were part of many car enthusiasts' collections. However, due to design issues and quality concerns, the brand lost its popularity and was discontinued in 2010.
3. Hummer
Hummers used to be extremely popular due to their bulky looks and exceptional performance. Known mostly for their aggressive and huge looking SUVs that had impeccable off-road capabilities, it seemed like Hummer was here to stay. Sales started to plummet during the 2008 fuel crisis, as the H1, H2, and H3 models had very poor fuel efficiency and were leaving a huge environmental impact, leading to the discontinuation of the brand in 2010.
4. Infiniti
Infiniti is a division of Nissan that focuses more on the luxury aspect of cars. With their sporty and prestigious looking sedans and SUVs, models like Q50 and QX60 are just some of the more popular choices for car lovers. Due to immense competition and lack of innovative advancements or looks, the Infiniti brand struggles to keep up with other brands like Lexus or BMW, making it less popular and outdated.
5. Cadillac
Cadillacs used to be the icon of luxury back in the '60s, and it was considered to be a classic American gem. Models like Escalade and Eldorado were seen almost everywhere. Even though it’s still popular as a collector's piece, the brand has lost its customer base and has become dated in the modern market of cars.
6. Acura
Acura is a brand that used to be considered more luxurious than an average car. Known for their reliable and sporty looking vehicles, the MDX and Integra were just some of their most popular models. Over the years the style of these cars has lost the appeal and little to no advancements have been made. While it still exists, Acura is no longer a standout when it comes to luxury cars.
7. Oldsmobile
One of the oldest car manufacturers in the U.S., Oldsmobile was praised for their innovative technology. Being the first brand to offer a fully automatic transmission, it soared in popularity very fast. However, despite these advancements, the brand became outdated and has lost its appeal among younger buyers, making the decline in sales the last drop before being discontinued in 2004.
8. Volkswagen
Once a leading car brand, Volkswagen used to be one of the most popular brands out there. With an affordable price and German engineering, it seemed like the brand was going to keep the throne with their models like Jetta and Passat for a long time. While still available and somewhat popular, Volkswagen lost their U.S. popularity due to their pricing, scandals, and an increase in competitors.
9. Porsche
Porsche was considered to be a luxurious sporty car for the longest time. Praised for its performance and efficiency, brands like Macan and the 911 were some of the most popular on the market. While the brand is still fairly successful in their sales, they lost popularity due to high prices, lack of innovation, and a demand for hybrid and EVs.
10. DeLorean Motor Company
DeLorean was a short-lived American car manufacturer that is still known today mostly due to the popular “Back to the Future” film. Known for their futuristic stainless steel look, the brand only made one model, that being the DMC-12. Despite its sci-fi looks, the performance of the car was underwhelming, the price way too high, and eventual legal issues and bankruptcy led to the company shutting down in 1982.
Now that we have talked about brands that lost their popularity, here are 10 that are doing better than ever.
1. Toyota
Toyota is one of the most famous and well-renowned car brands in the world. Known for their reliability, affordability, and durability, models like Corolla, RAV4, and Camry are sold worldwide and in incredible numbers. Things like low cost of ownership, strong resale value, as well as excellent fuel economy are just some of the reasons why Toyota has global trust when it comes to the car market.
2. Honda
Honda is another Japanese automaker that is well-liked for their efficiency and engineering. The Civic and Accord are incredibly fun to drive and have amazing fuel management. With an incredibly long lifespan, great safety scores, and a sporty feel without breaking the bank, Honda is one of the most popular car brands around the world.
3. Hyundai
Hyundai is an automaker that has had incredible growth and technological advancements. With no shortage of models like Sonata, Tucson, Elantra, Santa Fe, and many more, their competitive prices and excellent warranties have assumed Hyundai a place amongst the top brands of vehicles. Providing great value for the money and constant innovations, there’s no slowing down for Hyundai any time soon.
4. Ford
Ford is a historic American automaker known for their muscle cars and trucks. The F-150 is one of the most popular vehicles in the world, and that’s just one of many models this brand has to offer. Having some of the best sales in the U.S. for decades, all while making reliable and high-performing cars, Ford will stay at the top for a long time.
5. Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz has kept the status of luxury car brands for decades. From affordable to more expensive models, there’s no lack of performance, luxury, technology, and comfort in any of Mercedes’ cars. The C-Class, S-Class, and G-Class are just some of the most popular cars due to their powerful engines, smooth ride, and refined luxury interiors, making Mercedes one of the most sophisticated looking and performing cars out there.
6. BMW
Praised for their incredible performing and luxurious cars, BMW has been at the top for a long time. With models like X5, M3, 3 Series, and 5 Series, the performance and handling of the cars speaks for themselves. Being described as the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, the engineering excellence and luxury combination seems to be a winning one.
7. Chevrolet
One of the most major American brands, Chevrolet is an incredibly popular car maker. With the Silverado giving the F-150 a run for its money, other models like Malibu, Equinox, and Camaro are not lacking in performance and reliability. With an accessible price range and a broad lineup, Chevrolet has a lot to offer.
8. Nissan
Nissan is an incredibly practical and affordable brand of car makers that has held the status of reliable and budget-friendly for quite some time. With a wide range of models, including Altima, Sentra, Rogue, and many more, all of them have proven to have solid fuel efficiency and value. Having such a strong global presence and worldwide manufacturing, Nissan is soaring in popularity.
9. Mazda
Mazda pride lies in their fun-to-drive cars like Mazda3, MX-5 Miata, and CX-5. Having a stylish and sporty look brings a fun and playful presence to the automobile world. With affordable prices, upscale interiors, impeccable design, and excellent fuel efficiency, Mazda is strong standing and popular all across the world.
10. Jeep
Jeep is one of the most well-known American brands when it comes to off-road vehicles. The Wrangler, Cherokee, and Gladiator are only a few of many models that have brought popularity to this brand. From unique styling, off-road capability, tough and reliable build, to strong resale values and an iconic brand identity, Jeep stays strong as one of the most popular brands.
