Since the launch of the first modern car in 1886, the car industry has grown with the increase in population and demand for personal transport. Demand is no guarantee of continued success with many famous brands despite innovative products disappearing from the marketplace. With prestigious names like Ferrari, Bentley, Bugatti, and McLaren all at one time facing closure, fortunately, they were rescued by bigger corporations.
The financial crisis of 2008 forced the biggest corporations to review their product line-ups and brands, causing the demise of some of the most famous names in automotive history, along with them some very cool cars.
10 Hummer 1992 - 2010
One of the most iconic SUV brands of recent history Hummer started its life as a military vehicle the Humvee (HMVV). Celebrity endorsement boosted the appeal of the Hummer as a go-anywhere invincible vehicle.
Offering serious off-road capabilities despite its size and 4900lbs weight the Hummer with the top-spec 5.3-liter V8 engine produced 300hp, enough for 97mph top speed. The total production of the Hummer H3 range exceeded 159,000 vehicles.
9 Pontiac 1926 - 2010
2010 marked the end of the Pontiac name, a victim of global economics and dwindling sales. Bonneville models would form part of the company's product line from 1958 through to 2005.
Earlier models being more desirable, both the coupe and convertible sharing the same 6.0-liter V8 engine and optional 3-speed super Hydra-Matic transmission. With the production of Smokey and the Bandit, Pontiac would achieve record sales figures of the Trans-am Firebird models.
8 Saab Automobile 1945 - 2012
Saab Automobile AB founded in 1945 produced quirky designed cars often preferring a unique engineering approach. The 900 series had a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that had to lean 45 degrees to fit under the hood, oddly, it had the output shaft at the front of the block, in effect back to front.
Inside the cabin, the ignition barrel located on the floor for security purposes is another Saab oddity. Reports of well cared for examples reaching 1 million miles without engine rebuilds. Over-engineering of their range ultimately caused Saab to go bankrupt in 2012.
7 Daimler 1891 - 2007
Although sharing the same Daimler name as Daimler AG (Mercedes) the two are not connected in any regard. Most famous for building limousines for the royal family, Daimler also produced small sports cars such as the SP250.
Launched in 1959, the small 2-seater SP250 (previously Dart) featured a fiber-glass body fitted with a 2.5-liter V8 Hemi engine. While not especially powerful with just 140hp, theSP250 only weighed 2070lbs making adequate performance. Jaguar, who currently owns the name ceased production of Daimler branded cars in 2007.
6 Iso Autoveicoli 1953 - 1974
With a history of building cars and motorbikes, Iso Autoveicoli officially was founded in 1953, though it has a history dating back to 1939. Iso produced their first car in the 1950s, the quirky Isetta Bubble Car.
Most famous of all Iso cars, the Grifo arrived in 1964 featuring a 5.4-liter Chevrolet V8 engine providing 300hp to match the exotic styling. Under new management in 1974, Iso finally went bankrupt.
5 American Motors Corporation 1954 - 1988
AMC founded in 1954 as the result of a merger between Nash and Hudson would go on to hold 7.5% of the new car market in America. Success wouldn't last, with a combination of badly timed products and poor management decisions driving the company into bankruptcy.
One notable success, the AMX Javelin, would go onto win the Trans-am race series on three occasions in the 1970s. Boasting a 6.6-liter V8 engine with a power output of 335hp, the Javelins were able to reach 60mph in 5,1 seconds, competing directly with Corvettes and Camaros.
4 Holden 1856 - 2020
After 164 years of building cars, the final Holden production car rolled off the assembly line in February 2020. Intended to build Australian cars, many of the actual vehicles produced are re-worked GM designs. Icons such as the Monaro launched in 1968 and survived until 2007 in third-generation form.
Final Monaros with the GM LS3 V8 engines capable of 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 162mph. Dwindling sales or large cars and strong Australian dollar ended Holdens production.
3 Jensen Motors 1922 - 2011
Jensen started life building commercial vehicles and sports cars in 1922, before adopting the Jensen motors name 1934. Quite a smaller niche car brand, with the launch of the Interceptor in 1964 becoming the most recognizable model.
At launch in 1965 the FF version of the Interceptor being quite advanced, featuring 4-wheel-drive a first for a production car, and also an early adopter of ABS. Chrysler sourced 7.2-liter V8 engines powered the Interceptor range until Jensen ceased trading in 1976.
2 Ascari Cars 1995 - 2010
Founded in 1995, Ascari cars lasted just 15 years producing two models before closing down. Based on their A410 group C car, Ascari launched the roading going version KZ1 in 2005, utilizing the BMW (S62) 4.9-liter V8 engine for power.
Capable of reaching 62mph in 3.7 seconds, and a maximum speed of 200mph. Operations at their Banbury factory ceased in 2010, the same facility is now occupied by the Haas F1 team.
1 Oldsmobile 1897 - 2004
When General Motors closed the company down in 2004, Oldsmobile, having produced over 35 million cars, was the oldest American car company. Renowned for its ground-breaking technology and design, Oldsmobile also achieved success in NASCAR with the Rocket 88 and 442 cars.
The Hurst modified Oldsmobile 442, with 380hp from their engines could reach 62mph in 5.9 seconds, and complete the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds. Ultimately competition from imported cars and poor profitability closed Oldsmobile.