The North American Automotive Pantheon: A Global Registry of Automobile Manufacturers

To be able to list all automobile manufacturers that have ever sold brand-new, complete vehicles in the North American market is a monumental task, spanning over 120 years of innovation, industrial consolidation, and global trade. Hundreds of companies, particularly during the “Brass Era” (1890s–1910s), briefly sold cars in the US and Canada before failing.

For the purpose of creating an engaging and historically significant list, this registry focuses on manufacturers and distinct brands that had a recognizable, sustained, or historically pivotal presence in the North American market from about the 1950’s to present day. Production and model counts are approximate due to the varying recording standards across different eras and ownership structures.

Key:

(A) = Active Manufacturer
(D) = Defunct/Discontinued Brand

A

Acura (A)

Status/History: Acura is the luxury and performance division of Honda Motor Co., established to compete directly with European luxury brands in the North American market.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1986 – Present.
Headquarters: Minato, Tokyo, Japan (parent company: Honda). U.S. operations based in Torrance, CA.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Saitama), USA (Marysville, OH; East Liberty, OH).
Approximate Total Production: Over 5 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~15 major core models (Integra, Legend, MDX, TLX, NSX).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Acura MDX, which has consistently been one of the best-selling three-row luxury SUVs.

Alfa Romeo (A)

Status/History: Alfa Romeo is an Italian luxury and sports car manufacturer. Had two distinct periods of major North American sales: 1950s–1995, and a return starting in 2008 (officially 2014) under the Stellantis umbrella.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1910 – Present.
Headquarters: Turin, Italy.
Manufacturing Plants: Italy (Cassino, Modena). Historically also in Milan and Naples.
Approximate Total Production: Over 6 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 100 models, excluding variants (Giulia, Spider, Stelvio, 4C).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Alfa Romeo Spider (Duetto/Veloce), especially popular during its original long run in North America.

American Motors Corporation (AMC) (D)

Status/History: AMC formed in 1954 through the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson Motor Car Company. Known for smaller, economical cars before focusing on rugged SUVs (Jeep), eventually purchased by Chrysler in 1987.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1954 – 1987.
Headquarters: Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Kenosha, WI; Toledo, OH; South Bend, IN). Canada (Brampton, ON).
Approximate Total Production: Over 5 million units (excluding Jeep production prior to 1987).
Approximate Models Produced: ~30 core models (Rambler, Gremlin, Pacer, Javelin, Eagle).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The AMC Gremlin, one of the first successful subcompact cars in the US market.

Aston Martin (A)

Status/History: Aston Martin is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars and grand tourers. Has maintained a consistent, though niche, presence in the North American high-end market for decades.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1913 – Present.
Headquarters: Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK.
Manufacturing Plants: UK (Gaydon, St Athan, Newport Pagnell).
Approximate Total Production: Over 100,000 units globally (as a lower volume, luxury marque).
Approximate Models Produced: ~40 models (DB series, Vantage, Lagonda, Virage).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Aston Martin DB5, largely due to its association with the James Bond film franchise.

B

Bentley (A)

Status/History: Bentley is a British high-end luxury automaker, founded in 1919. Operated as a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce for many decades before being acquired by the Volkswagen Group in 1998.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1919 – Present.
Headquarters: Crewe, Cheshire, UK.
Manufacturing Plants: UK (Crewe).
Approximate Total Production: Over 200,000 units globally (low volume luxury).
Approximate Models Produced: ~35 core models (Continental, Mulsanne, Flying Spur, Bentayga).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The modern Bentley Continental GT, which popularized the brand under VW ownership.

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) (A)

Status/History: BMW is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles. Established a major, permanent presence in North America starting in the late 1960s, revolutionizing the sports sedan segment.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1928 – Present.
Headquarters: Munich, Germany.
Manufacturing Plants: Germany (Munich, Dingolfing), USA (Spartanburg, SC), Mexico (San Luis Potosí), China.
Approximate Total Production: Over 40 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 150 models/generations across all series (1-Series through 8-Series, X series).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The BMW 3 Series, often hailed as the defining modern sports sedan.

Buick (A)

Status/History: Buick is an American luxury brand founded in 1899. Buick was instrumental in the formation of General Motors (GM) in 1908 and remains a core GM brand today, focusing on affordable luxury, largely selling SUVs in the NA market.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1903 – Present.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA (GM HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: North America (various GM plants—historically Flint, MI—now primarily in Mexico, Canada, and China).
Approximate Total Production: Over 45 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 150 core models (Roadmaster, Riviera, Electra, Enclave).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Buick Regal, its mid-size sedan that had major longevity and high sales volume throughout the late 20th century.

C

Cadillac (A)

Status/History: Founded in 1902, Cadillac is one of the oldest American car brands and the luxury division of General Motors. It pioneered many standards of modern mass production and continues to compete in the luxury segment.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1902 – Present.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA (GM HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: USA (various GM plants—currently Arlington, TX; Lansing, MI), Mexico.
Approximate Total Production: Over 25 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 100 core models (Eldorado, DeVille, Escalade, CT5).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Cadillac Escalade, which defined the luxury SUV segment in the 21st century.

Chevrolet (A)

Status/History: Founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant (GM’s founder). Chevrolet quickly became the high-volume, mainstream division of General Motors, known for both trucks and passenger cars.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1911 – Present.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA (GM HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: Worldwide (USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, etc.).
Approximate Total Production: Over 200 million vehicles globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 200 core models (Impala, Silverado, Corvette, Camaro, Tahoe).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Chevrolet Silverado (or its predecessor, the C/K truck series), due to its massive volume and continuous presence in the best-seller lists.

Chrysler (A)

Status/History: Chrysler was founded in 1925 by Walter Chrysler, forming one of the “Big Three” US automakers. Known for engineering innovations and its crucial role in the development of the minivan. It is now a brand within the multinational corporation Stellantis.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1925 – Present.
Headquarters: Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA (Stellantis North America HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Sterling Heights, MI), Canada (Windsor, ON).
Approximate Total Production: Over 70 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 120 models (Imperial, New Yorker, 300, Voyager / Pacifica).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Chrysler Town & Country / Pacifica minivan series, which defined the segment for decades.

D

Dacia (A/Limited NA)

Status/History: A Romanian automaker established in 1966, currently a subsidiary of the French manufacturer Renault. While Dacia itself does not sell cars in the US/Canada, its vehicles have been rebadged and sold in Mexico, and its platform technology sometimes underpins NA-sold vehicles. It is included due to recent platform sharing and localized sales in the broader North American region.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1966 – Present.
Headquarters: Mioveni, Romania.
Manufacturing Plants: Romania (Mioveni), Morocco, Brazil, India.
Approximate Total Production: Over 10 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~10 core models (Logan, Sandero, Duster).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Dacia Duster SUV, a global high-volume seller.

Dodge (A)

Status/History: Dodge was founded as the Dodge Brothers Company in 1900, manufacturing parts for Ford before making complete cars in 1914. Acquired by Chrysler in 1928, it has traditionally been the performance and mainstream division of the company. Now part of Stellantis.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1914 – Present.
Headquarters: Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA (Stellantis North America HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: USA (various Stellantis plants), Canada, Mexico.
Approximate Total Production: Over 80 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 150 models (Dart, Charger, Challenger, Ram [pre-1994], Neon).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Dodge Charger, known for its enduring muscle car reputation and high sales volume in the modern sedan market.

F

Ferrari (A)

Status/History: Ferrari is a well known iconic Italian luxury sports car manufacturer. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 (as Auto Avio Construzioni), producing its first car under the Ferrari name in 1947. Has competed in the high-end North American market since the 1950s.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1947 – Present.
Headquarters: Maranello, Italy.
Manufacturing Plants: Italy (Maranello).
Approximate Total Production: Over 300,000 units globally (ultra-low volume).
Approximate Models Produced: Over 70 core models (Testarossa, 458, F40, LaFerrari).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Ferrari F40, often cited as the ultimate example of 1980s supercar design.

Ford Motor Company (A)

Status/History: Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Revolutionized manufacturing with the moving assembly line, making cars affordable for the masses. One of the “Big Three” and a foundational force of the North American auto industry.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1903 – Present.
Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: Global (USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, China, Thailand, etc.).
Approximate Total Production: Over 450 million vehicles globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 300 core models (Model T, Mustang, F-Series, Falcon).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Ford F-Series Pickup Truck, the best-selling vehicle in North America for decades.

G

Genesis (A)

Status/History: Genesis is the luxury vehicle division of the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Launched globally in 2015 to directly challenge Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the luxury sedan and SUV markets in North America and globally.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 2015 – Present.
Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea.
Manufacturing Plants: South Korea (Ulsan), USA (Montgomery, AL—anticipated).
Approximate Total Production: Over 700,000 units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: 6 core models (G70, G80, GV70, GV80).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Genesis GV80, which successfully launched the brand into the critical luxury SUV segment.

GMC (A)

Status/History: GMC is the The General Motors Truck Company division of GM. Focuses exclusively on trucks, SUVs, and vans, targeting a more premium segment than its Chevrolet counterparts.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1911 – Present.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA (GM HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: North America (various GM plants alongside Chevy and Cadillac trucks).
Approximate Total Production: Over 50 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~10 core models (Sierra, Yukon, Acadia, Canyon).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The GMC Sierra pickup truck line.

H

Honda (A)

Status/History: Honda is a Japanese multinational automotive and motorcycle manufacturer. Known for reliability and engineering excellence. Began importing bikes in the 1960s, followed by cars in 1969, fundamentally changing the North American compact car market.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1963 – Present.
Headquarters: Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Global (Japan, USA—Marysville, OH, Mexico, Canada, UK, China, etc.).
Approximate Total Production: Over 100 million automobiles globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~60 core models (Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Honda Civic, a North American bedrock model known for its economy and reliability.

Hyundai (A)

Status/History: South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer. Hyundai entered the North American market in 1986, initially with mixed results, but has since become a major volume player known for strong value and comprehensive warranties.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1968 – Present.
Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea.
Manufacturing Plants: South Korea, USA (Montgomery, AL), Turkey, China, India, etc.
Approximate Total Production: Over 80 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~50 core models (Excel, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Hyundai Elantra (historically the Excel), which provided critical early volume for the company in NA.

I

Infiniti (A)

Status/History: The luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan. Infiniti launched in North America in 1989 to compete with Acura and Lexus, focusing initially on performance sedans.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1989 – Present.
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Tochigi), USA (Smyrna, TN—historically), UK (historically).
Approximate Total Production: Over 3 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~12 core models (Q45, G35 / Q50, QX60, QX80).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Infiniti G35 / Q50, which was highly successful in challenging the BMW 3 Series.

Isuzu (D – Passenger Cars)

Status/History: A Japanese heavy-duty truck and commercial vehicle manufacturer. Isuzu imported a range of passenger cars and SUVs into the US/Canada market from the 1980s until 2009, often through partnerships with GM (Geo/Holden).
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1922 – Present (trucks); 1972 – 2009 (US/Canada passenger cars).
Headquarters: Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Fujisawa), Thailand, USA (historically, through Subaru-Isuzu Automotive).
Approximate Total Production: Over 20 million units globally (mostly commercial/trucks).
Approximate Models Produced: ~20 passenger models sold in NA (Stylus, Impulse, Trooper, Rodeo).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Isuzu Trooper SUV, which was popular in the 1990s utility craze.

J

Jaguar (A)

Status/History: Jaguar is a British luxury vehicle manufacturer known for sporty sedans and elegant design. Established in 1922 (as Swallow Sidecar Company). Has had a long, but often financially turbulent, presence in the North American luxury car market. Now part of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1935 – Present.
Headquarters: Coventry, UK.
Manufacturing Plants: UK (Castle Bromwich, Halewood).
Approximate Total Production: Over 3 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~40 core models (XJ, E-Type, XK, F-Type).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Jaguar E-Type (marketed as the XK-E in North America), an icon of 1960s sports car design.

Jeep (A)

Status/History: Jeep is an American brand that originated with military vehicles (Willys-Overland) in WWII. Known exclusively for SUVs and off-road vehicles. Absorbed by AMC, then Chrysler, and now a global brand under Stellantis.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1941 (Willys-Overland) – Present.
Headquarters: Toledo, Ohio, USA (Operational center).
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Toledo, OH; Detroit, MI), Canada, Mexico, Italy, China.
Approximate Total Production: Over 25 million units globally (under various ownerships).
Approximate Models Produced: ~15 core models (Wrangler / CJ, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Gladiator).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Jeep Wrangler (including its military and civilian predecessors).

K

Kia (A)

Status/History: South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer; part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Kia entered the North American market in 1993. Known for value, style, and rapid quality improvement, now competing across all passenger car segments.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1944 (Started as bicycle parts maker); 1974 – Present (Automobiles).
Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea.
Manufacturing Plants: South Korea, USA (West Point, GA), Slovakia, Mexico.
Approximate Total Production: Over 30 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~30 core models (Sephia, Sportage, Telluride, Stinger).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Kia Telluride SUV, which rapidly established the brand as a mainstream favorite in North America.

L

Lamborghini (A)

Status/History: Lamborghini is an Italian manufacturer of high-end, high-performance supercars and SUVs. Founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963. Has maintained a small but highly visible presence in the NA luxury/exotic market. Owned by Volkswagen Group via Audi.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1963 – Present.
Headquarters: Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy.
Manufacturing Plants: Italy (Sant’Agata Bolognese).
Approximate Total Production: Over 60,000 units globally (ultra-low volume).
Approximate Models Produced: ~15 core models (Miura, Countach, Diablo, Huracán, Urus).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Lamborghini Countach, an icon of Italian wedge design.

Land Rover (A)

Status/History: Land Rover is a British specialist in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Formed in 1948, it became a separate entity specializing in luxury SUVs. Now part of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), owned by Tata Motors.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1948 – Present.
Headquarters: Coventry, UK.
Manufacturing Plants: UK (Solihull, Halewood, Castle Bromwich).
Approximate Total Production: Over 8 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~10 core models (Defender, Range Rover, Discovery, Freelander).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Range Rover (the full-size suv luxury model).

Lexus (A)

Status/History: The luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. Lexus launched in North America in 1989. Quickly became the benchmark for reliability, quality, and customer service in the luxury segment.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1989 – Present.
Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Tahara, Miyata), Canada (Cambridge, ON—historically).
Approximate Total Production: Over 10 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~20 core models (LS, RX, ES, GS, IS).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Lexus RX luxury SUV, which dominated its segment for over two decades.

Lincoln (A)

Status/History: American luxury brand founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland (who also founded Cadillac). Lincoln was acquired by Ford in 1922, it serves as Ford’s premier luxury division, focusing primarily on the North American and Chinese markets.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1917 – Present.
Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan, USA (Ford HQ).
Manufacturing Plants: USA (various Ford plants), Canada, Mexico, China.
Approximate Total Production: Over 15 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 80 models (Continental, Navigator, Town Car, Aviator).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Lincoln Town Car, known for its immense popularity as a limousine and taxi / fleet vehicle.

M

Mazda (A)

Status/History: Japanese multinational automaker known for its unique rotary engine technology (historically) and stylish, fun-to-drive vehicles. Mazda has had a major presence in North America since the late 1960s.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1931 (Vehicles); 1960 (Passenger Cars) – Present.
Headquarters: Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Hiroshima), Mexico (Salamanca), USA (Huntsville, AL—joint venture with Toyota).
Approximate Total Production: Over 55 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~40 core models (RX-7, Miata/MX-5, Mazda3, Mazda6).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Mazda MX-5 Miata, the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history.

Mercedes-Benz (A)

Status/History: German luxury automaker and one of the oldest automotive brands in the world, tracing its roots to Karl Benz’s 1886 Patent-Motorwagen. Known for safety, engineering, and luxury, Mercedes-Benz has been a dominant force in the high-end North American market since the 1950s.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1926 – Present (after the merger of Benz and Daimler).
Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany.
Manufacturing Plants: Germany, USA (Vance, AL), Hungary, China, South Africa.
Approximate Total Production: Over 50 million units bearing the Mercedes-Benz name.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 150 models/generations (S-Class, C-Class, E-Class, SL).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class (and its predecessor 190E), a crucial high-volume entry-level luxury sedan.

N

Nissan (A)

Status/History: Nissan is a Japanese multinational automaker. Entered the North American market in 1958 (originally as Datsun). Became a major importer of reliable, economical vehicles, and today is one of the largest global automakers.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1933 – Present.
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Global (Japan, USA—Smyrna, TN; Canton, MS, Mexico).
Approximate Total Production: Over 90 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 100 core models (Z-car, Sentra, Altima, Rogue, Titan).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Nissan Altima (or historically the Datsun 510 / Sentra), serving as the high-volume mid-size sedan staple.

O

Oldsmobile (D)

Status/History: American brand founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. One of the oldest surviving American automobile marques when GM decided to phase it out in 2004. Oldsmobile was known historically for innovation and mid-range positioning within GM.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1897 – 2004.
Headquarters: Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Lansing, MI; Linden, NJ), and shared numerous GM assembly facilities.
Approximate Total Production: Over 35 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 100 core models (Curved Dash, 88, Cutlass, Aurora).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Oldsmobile Cutlass, which was consistently one of the best-selling nameplates in North America from the 1970s to the 1980s.

P

Packard (D)

Status/History: Premier American luxury automaker, founded in 1899. Known as one of the “Three Ps” (Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow) of American luxury. Financial difficulties led to a merger with Studebaker in 1954, and the brand was officially retired in 1958.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1899 – 1958.
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Detroit, MI; South Bend, IN—later Studebaker merger).
Approximate Total Production: Approximately 1.6 million units lifetime.
Approximate Models Produced: ~40 core models (Twin Six, Clipper, Patrician).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Packard Twin Six, a landmark V12 luxury car of the 1910s and 1920s.

Porsche (A)

Status/History: Porsche is a German manufacturer known for high-performance sports cars, SUVs, and luxury sedans. Founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931, but the first car was produced in 1948. Has maintained an iconic and growing presence in the North American premium segment. Owned by Volkswagen Group.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1948 – Present.
Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany.
Manufacturing Plants: Germany (Stuttgart, Leipzig).
Approximate Total Production: Over 3 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~10 core models (911, 356, 928, Cayenne, Macan).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Porsche 911, the company’s defining continuous sports car line.

R

Rolls-Royce (A)

Status/History: British ultra-luxury automobile manufacturer. Sold its first car in 1904. The brand was historically split in 1971. BMW acquired the rights to the car brand name in 1998, establishing the modern corporation. Rolls-Royce has always commanded the top tier of the North American luxury vehicle market.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1904 – Present.
Headquarters: Goodwood, West Sussex, UK (modern era).
Manufacturing Plants: UK (Goodwood).
Approximate Total Production: Over 200,000 units globally (low volume).
Approximate Models Produced: ~30 core models (Silver Ghost, Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Rolls-Royce Phantom, the flagship model across every generation.

S

Subaru (A)

Status/History: Japanese automotive arm of the multinational conglomerate Subaru Corporation. Known for pioneering all-wheel-drive passenger cars and the use of boxer engines. Subaru established a following in North America starting in the late 1960s.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1953 – Present.
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Japan (Gunma), USA (Lafayette, IN).
Approximate Total Production: Over 25 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~20 core models (Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Forester).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Subaru Outback, which popularized the crossover / wagon segment in the US.

Studebaker (D)

Status/History: American manufacturer of automobiles and wagons, originating in 1852. Studebaker began producing gasoline cars in 1904. Struggled financially after WWII and ceased production in the United States in 1963 and in Canada in 1966.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1904 – 1966.
Headquarters: South Bend, Indiana, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: USA (South Bend, IN), Canada (Hamilton, ON).
Approximate Total Production: Over 4 million units lifetime.
Approximate Models Produced: ~50 core models (Commander, Champion, Avanti, Lark).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Studebaker Lark, a compact car success story in the late 1950s designed to fight back against the Big Three.

T

Tesla (A)

Status/History: American electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy company. Founded in 2003, Tesla revolutionized the automotive landscape by focusing exclusively on high-performance battery electric vehicles and direct-to-consumer sales.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 2008 – Present.
Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA.
Manufacturing Plants: USA (Fremont, CA; Austin, TX), Germany (Berlin), China (Shanghai).
Approximate Total Production: Over 7 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: 5 core models (Roadster, Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Tesla Model 3, which became the first mass-market successful EV, generating massive sales volume worldwide.

Toyota (A)

Status/History: Toyota is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer. Became a major force in the North American market starting in the late 1950s, eventually overtaking US domestic producers in market share due to its focus on quality, reliability, and efficiency. One of the largest global automakers.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1937 – Present.
Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Manufacturing Plants: Global (Japan, USA—Georgetown, KY; San Antonio, TX, Canada, Mexico, etc.).
Approximate Total Production: Over 200 million automobiles globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 150 core models (Corolla, Camry, Land Cruiser, Prius, Supra).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Toyota Corolla, the highest-selling nameplate in automotive history.

V

Volkswagen (VW) (A)

Status/History: German multinational automotive manufacturer. Volkswagen began exporting vehicles to the US in 1949, dominating the import market in the 1960s with its unique, affordable designs. Today, it owns several major brands (Audi, Porsche, etc.).
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1937 – Present.
Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany.
Manufacturing Plants: Global (Germany, USA—Chattanooga, TN, Mexico, Brazil, China).
Approximate Total Production: Over 150 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: Over 100 core models (Beetle, Golf / Rabbit, Passat, Jetta, ID.4).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The VW Beetle (Type 1), the best-selling single-design car in history and the vehicle that established the import market in North America.

Volvo (A)

Status/History: Swedish luxury vehicle manufacturer, known historically for its focus on safety and solid engineering. Volvo entered the North American market in 1955. Owned by Geely Holding Group (China) since 2010.
Years of Operation (Making Cars): 1927 – Present.
Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden.
Manufacturing Plants: Sweden (Torslanda), Belgium (Ghent), USA (Ridgeville, SC), China.
Approximate Total Production: Over 25 million units globally.
Approximate Models Produced: ~40 core models (PV444, 240, 740, XC90).
Most Famous/Highest Seller: The Volvo 240 series, a globally recognized symbol of safety and durability throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

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