List of Car Companies That No Longer Exist

The automotive industry witnessed a boom in the emergence of various car brands in the late 90s. They emerged as a response to the growing demand for personal transportation and the advancement in technology. However, since the automotive industry is a highly competitive one, many car companies fail to keep up with established brands. 

While some oldest car companies like General Motors have strengthened their footholds in the industry for decades. Others like Pontiac and Oldsmobile have gone in a downward spiral and lost their existence. Let’s take a look at the list of car companies that no longer exist.

Car Companies That Went Out of Business   

There can be multiple reasons for a car brand to cease its production, leading to its eventual disappearance. Some struggled to generate sufficient profits or keep up with the rapid technological pace, while some merged with other brands. 

Regardless of all the car brands still available in the industry, many lost their identity in the race of survival of the fittest. Here is the list of car brands that no longer exist. 

Pontiac (1926 – 2010)

Pontiac had been a staple of famous American car brands for nearly a century. It started in 1926 as a cheap alternative to an expensive luxury car. It was famous for its sporty, muscle cars such as Firebird, Grand Prix and Solstice. However, the production of Pontiac vehicles officially ended in 2010, while the brand phased out completely by the end of the year.  

Despite its discontinuation, Pontiac cars are still a heartthrob for many car collectors, who continue to collect and restore them to this day. If you wish to buy a Pontiac model, explore these used Pontiac cars for sale in the UAE and add them to your car collection.

Scion (2003 – 2016)

Scion was established by Toyota in 2003 to attract budget-conscious, younger buyers to the auto manufacturer’s lineup. The car brand launched models including Scion tC and Scion xB. 

However, by the early 2010s, Scion’s sales had begun to decline. One reason behind this decline was the shift in consumer preference towards SUVs and crossovers which Scion, unfortunately, did not offer. In 2016, Toyota announced the official discontinuation of the Scion, it then became one of the car manufacturers that no longer exist.

Plymouth (1928 – 2001)

Plymouth was released by Chrysler Corporation as a low-priced alternative to its existing lineup in 1928. The brand enjoyed periods of high sales and popularity through its wide range of car models including sedans, muscle cars, coupes and even station wagons. 

Even after maintaining its footholds in the automotive industry for more than 60 years, Plymouth phased out in 2001. 

Oldsmobile (1897 – 2004)

Olds Motor Works was one of the first and oldest American automakers known for rolling out innovative cars. It released Oldsmobile in 1897 but became one of the General Motors owned brands in 1908. 

However, Oldsmobile was officially discontinued in 2004 as GM decided to discontinue underperforming car brands. For that reason, Oldsmobile became one of the American car companies that no longer exist.

Saturn (1985 – 2010)

GM released Saturn in 1985 to compete with foreign automakers in the small car market. The brand quickly gained popularity among American consumers owing to its high-quality, innovative cars, and customer-focused approach. 

Despite initial success in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Saturn struggled to maintain its position in the face of increased competition. As a result, Saturn was one of the car companies that went out of business in 2009.

Saab (1945 – 2010)

Saab AB was a Swedish automaker which released Saab in 1945. The car brand quickly established a reputation in the industry owing to safety, performance and cutting-edge design in its car models. 

Saad had multiple owners throughout its lifespan until Saab was acquired by GM in 2002. The car brand had the potential to run through 2012 but legal issues and declining sales forced GM to discontinue Saab in 2010. 

That said, you can buy these preloved Saab models for sale in the UAE if you are a car enthusiast.

Mercury (1938 – 2010)

Mercury was released in 1938 by the Ford Motor Company to compete with GM’s mid-priced brands such as Pontiac and Oldsmobile. Since its production, Mercury released some of the finest cars including the Mercury Cougar, Milan, Sable, Montego and many others. In 2010, Ford couldn’t keep Mercury afloat in the automotive market due to its declining sales and shift in consumer preferences.  

If you are a fan of Mercury Mountaineers, you can drive one by buying any of these used Mercury cars for sale in the UAE.

DeLorean (1975 – 1982)

The DeLorean Motor Company only existed for a short while in the late 1970s and early 1980s. John DeLorean, a former GM engineer, founded the firm, which only made the DMC-12. The iconic design was so popular that it landed the car a spot in the blockbuster movie ‘Back to the Future’.

However, the business filed for bankruptcy in 1982 and eventually became one of the car companies that no longer exist. The same year John DeLorean was detained on drug trafficking allegations, which were later dropped. 

That’s a wrap of our list of car companies that no longer exist. Nothing can be sadder than witnessing a beloved car maker shutting down its business after rolling out iconic car models. If you are a fan of vintage cars, you can visit any of these top car museums in the UAE and have a chance to witness an exotic automotive collection. 

Also, if you wish to switch to another car with modern car safety features, try exploring these used cars for sale in the UAE.

Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading car blog for more information on car brands and their latest releases.