Different Car Brands: The Complete List

From city streets to racetracks, car brands trace how design, engineering and markets evolve around the world. A single list can help you spot regional trends, historic founders and which names are still producing cars today.

There are 72 Different Car Brands, ranging from Acura to Škoda, covering legacy names and newer entries. For each brand you’ll find below data organized by Country,Founded (year),Status so you can quickly compare origin, founding date and whether a marque is active or discontinued.

How current is the information in this list?

The list uses the most recent public records and manufacturer information available at compilation, but brand status can change with acquisitions, relaunches or retirements; for the latest legal or market status check official brand sites or industry registries.

Can I sort or filter the entries by country, founding year, or status?

Yes—because each entry includes Country,Founded (year),Status you can import the list into a spreadsheet or database and filter by country, sort by founding year (or decade), or group by active versus discontinued brands to focus your research.

Different Car Brands

Images and Descriptions

Toyota

Toyota is a Japanese mass-market manufacturer founded in 1937, currently active and globally prominent. Known for production efficiency, durability and mainstream hybrid leadership, it made practical family cars and high-volume manufacturing a global benchmark and shaped modern hybrid acceptance worldwide.

Ford

Ford is a U.S. mass-market automaker founded in 1903, still active and influential for affordable cars and trucks. Famous for assembly-line innovation and high-volume pickup trucks, it helped democratize car ownership and built a durable global truck and commercial vehicle legacy.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is an American mass-market marque founded in 1911, active as a core General Motors brand. Known for broad model ranges and accessible cars and trucks, it established mid-market mainstream offerings and enduring cultural presence in North America and emerging markets.

Honda

Honda is a Japanese mass-market maker founded in 1948, active and renowned for reliable compact cars and motorcycle-derived engineering. Known for fuel-efficient engines, strong reliability, and durable family cars plus notable motorsport and engineering achievements across compact and performance segments.

Nissan

Nissan is a Japanese mass-market manufacturer founded in 1933 and active worldwide. Recognized for affordable family cars, light commercial vehicles and early electric offerings, the brand combines mainstream volume models with engineering highlights and global manufacturing footprint.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen is a German mass-market manufacturer founded in 1937 and still active globally. Famous for producing high-volume compact cars with broad appeal, it built one of the world’s largest automaking groups and a reputation for engineering-driven mass-market vehicles.

BMW

BMW is a German luxury and performance brand founded in 1916, active and noted for sporty driving dynamics and premium engineering. It built a strong reputation for driver-focused sedans, performance variants and luxury SUVs, marrying engineering heritage with modern premium tech.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker founded in 1926, active and synonymous with premium engineering. Known for luxury sedans, safety innovations and advanced technology, it helped define the modern luxury car segment and introduced numerous safety and comfort standards.

Audi

Audi is a German premium brand founded in 1910, active and known for technological leadership and quattro all-wheel-drive performance. Positioned in the luxury segment, it blends engineering innovation, refined interiors and sporty handling to compete globally with luxury German marques.

Hyundai

Hyundai is a South Korean mass-market automaker founded in 1967 and active worldwide. Known for rapid quality improvements, value-packed models and ambitious EV and tech programs, it transformed from budget maker to a global mainstream competitor with strong reliability gains.

Kia

Kia is a South Korean mass-market brand founded in 1944, active and part of Hyundai Motor Group. Known for stylish, value-oriented cars, rapid design improvements and improving quality, it offers mainstream models and growing EV and crossover lineups with broad appeal.

Subaru

Subaru is a Japanese mass-market brand founded in 1953, active and famous for boxer engines and all-wheel-drive systems. Known for rugged compact cars and crossovers, strong safety credentials and loyal customer base, it excels in outdoor and all-weather segments.

Mazda

Mazda is a Japanese mass-market manufacturer founded in 1920 and active globally. Known for engaging driving dynamics and innovative rotary-engine history, it focuses on stylish compact cars and efficient combustion technologies while recently pushing for premium-feeling mainstream models.

Renault

Renault is a French mass-market automaker founded in 1899, active and notable for small cars and commercial vehicles. Known for bold design, strong motorsport heritage and accessible family cars, it has played a major role in European mass-market and commercial vehicle history.

Peugeot

Peugeot is a French mass-market manufacturer with roots from 1810 and automotive activity since the 19th century, active today. Known for practical family cars and history in motorsport, it’s a long-standing European brand with broad small- and mid‑segment offerings.

Citroën

Citroën is a French mass-market brand founded in 1919, active and famed for quirky innovation and comfort-focused engineering. Known historically for pioneering suspension and avant-garde design, it remains a mainstream European player with distinctive styling and comfort emphasis.

Fiat

Fiat is an Italian mass-market manufacturer founded in 1899 and active as part of Stellantis. Known for small city cars, economical designs and industrial scale, Fiat shaped European compact mobility and retains cultural significance in Italy and other markets.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is an Italian premium and sporty marque founded in 1910, active and celebrated for racing heritage and passionate styling. Known for sporty sedans and performance character, it blends Italian design flair with motorsport roots and a distinctive enthusiast appeal.

Lancia

Lancia is an Italian marque founded in 1906, historically famed for rally success and elegant designs; currently largely dormant as a consumer brand with limited activity. Noted for innovative engineering and historic rally achievements, once a prestigious Italian name now reduced in presence.

Opel

Opel is a German mass-market automaker founded in 1862, active under Stellantis and known for mainstream family cars and light commercial vehicles. Historically influential in Europe, it combined accessible engineering with broad dealer networks and practical hatchback expertise.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall is a British mass-market brand founded in 1857, active under Stellantis and serving the UK market. Known for practical hatchbacks and fleet vehicles, it mirrors Opel engineering with local branding and strong presence in Britain’s mainstream car segment.

Škoda

Škoda is a Czech mass-market manufacturer founded in 1895 and active as a value-oriented member of the Volkswagen Group. Known for spacious, practical cars with good value, it evolved from historic roots to a reliable mainstream European brand with wide appeal.

Seat

SEAT is a Spanish mass-market brand founded in 1950 and active as part of the Volkswagen Group. Known for sporty styling and accessible pricing, it offers compact and family cars with youthful design emphasis and ties to European group engineering.

Mini

MINI is a British-styled compact brand relaunched by BMW in 2001, active and known for premium small cars with iconic design. Positioned as a fashionable urban marque, it blends retro styling with premium features and a distinct personality within small segments.

Rolls‑Royce

Rolls‑Royce is a British ultra-luxury marque founded in 1904, active and synonymous with opulent, handcrafted limousines and advanced luxury engineering. Known for unmatched interior craftsmanship and prestige, it serves the high-end luxury segment worldwide with bespoke offerings.

Bentley

Bentley is a British luxury-performance marque founded in 1919 and active, blending British craftsmanship with powerful touring cars. Known for grand tourers, interior luxury and motorsport heritage, it serves the premium market with refined performance and bespoke customers.

Jaguar

Jaguar is a British premium brand founded in 1922, active and historically noted for sporty luxury sedans and grand tourers. Known for elegant styling, performance heritage and shifting ownership, it remains a luxury marque focused on style and driving dynamics.

Land Rover

Land Rover is a British premium utility marque founded in 1948, active and renowned for rugged off-road capability and luxury SUVs. Known for durability, adventure-ready vehicles and premium models under the Range Rover family, it’s synonymous with high-end off-roaders.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin is a British luxury-sports marque founded in 1913, active and famed for elegant grand tourers and sporting DNA. Known for handcrafted performance cars, glamorous design and association with popular culture, it targets the exclusive high-performance luxury market.

Porsche

Porsche is a German sports and luxury marque founded in 1931, active and celebrated for sports cars and performance engineering. Known for iconic rear-engine sports cars and consistent motorsport success, it blends everyday usability with high-performance credentials and racing pedigree.

Ferrari

Ferrari is an Italian sports and luxury marque founded in 1939, active and renowned for high-performance supercars and racing dominance. Known for extraordinary engines, Formula 1 success and exclusive models, it epitomizes Italian performance prestige and motorsport legacy.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini is an Italian exotic-performance marque founded in 1963, active and famous for flamboyant supercars and dramatic design. Known for extreme performance, vivid styling and attention-grabbing machines, it occupies an exclusive niche in high-performance exotic automobiles.

Maserati

Maserati is an Italian luxury and performance marque founded in 1914, active and blending Italian style with sporty engineering. Known for elegant grand tourers, racing heritage and distinctive exhaust notes, it offers premium alternatives with a focus on emotional driving character.

McLaren

McLaren Automotive is a British high-performance marque founded in 1985, active and rooted in motorsport technology. Known for lightweight engineering, supercars and track-focused models, it translates racing-derived materials and performance into exclusive road-going machines with cutting-edge tech.

Bugatti

Bugatti is a French (now VW Group-owned) exotic marque originally founded in 1909, revived as an ultra‑high‑performance manufacturer. Known for record-setting hypercars and engineering extremes, it occupies the pinnacle of speed, craftsmanship and price in the automotive world.

Koenigsegg

Koenigsegg is a Swedish boutique hypercar maker founded in 1994, active and renowned for radical engineering and record-breaking performance. Known for bespoke, ultra‑exclusive hypercars and lightweight technology, it pushes engineering boundaries in speed, aerodynamics and powertrain innovation.

Pagani

Pagani is an Italian boutique hypercar marque founded in 1992, active and celebrated for artful, handcrafted supercars. Known for extreme carbon-fiber construction, bespoke interiors and limited series, it blends automotive craftsmanship with avant‑garde design and exclusivity.

Tesla

Tesla is an American EV-focused manufacturer founded in 2003, active and a major force in mainstream electric vehicles. Known for long-range EVs, rapid software-led updates and charging networks, it transformed public awareness of electric mobility and reshaped industry priorities.

BYD

BYD is a Chinese mass-market and EV-focused manufacturer founded in 1995 and now globally active. Known for leading battery and electric vehicle volume, rapid EV rollout and competitive pricing, it became a major force in mainstream electric mobility and commercial vehicle electrification.

NIO

NIO is a Chinese premium EV brand founded in 2014, active and focused on electric SUVs and tech-led services. Known for battery‑swap innovation, premium EV experiences and connected features, it targets higher-end electric buyers in China and expanding markets.

Rivian

Rivian is an American EV startup founded in 2009, active and focused on electric trucks, SUVs and adventure vehicles. Known for rugged design, innovative battery platforms and outdoor lifestyle positioning, it aims at premium electric utility segments with scalable platforms.

Lucid

Lucid is an American luxury EV maker founded in 2007, active and targeting premium electric sedans and tech leadership. Known for high-efficiency electric drivetrains and luxury interiors, it pursues a small, high-performance luxury EV niche focused on range and refinement.

Polestar

Polestar is a Swedish premium EV brand spun out from Volvo/Geely in 2017, active and focused on performance electrified cars. Known for minimalist design, performance EV models and sustainability emphasis, it aims at a tech-forward premium electric niche with Scandinavian styling.

Genesis

Genesis is a South Korean luxury brand launched by Hyundai in 2015, active and positioned against traditional luxury marques. Known for refined appointments, value-oriented premium features and improving drive quality, it seeks to combine luxury comfort with strong warranty and ownership value.

Lexus

Lexus is a Japanese luxury marque founded by Toyota in 1989, active and known for refined luxury sedans, hybrids and reliability. Combining high-quality craftsmanship with quiet luxury and strong dealer service, it established Japanese premium credibility in global markets.

Infiniti

Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury marque founded in 1989, active and focused on premium sedans and SUVs. Known for performance-tuned luxury models and markets in North America and Asia, it offers a blend of technology and Japanese engineering aimed at upscale buyers.

Acura

Acura is Honda’s premium brand launched in 1986, active and known for sporty luxury sedans and SUVs. Positioned as Honda’s upscale division, it emphasizes performance, technology and value in the premium market with a blend of reliability and sportiness.

Cadillac

Cadillac is an American luxury marque founded in 1902 and active as GM’s premium brand. Known for historic innovation, V8 performance and bold luxury sedans, it has evolved into contemporary luxury SUVs and technology-driven premium offerings aimed at North American buyers.

Buick

Buick is an American near-luxury brand founded in 1899, active and positioned between mainstream and luxury GM offerings. Known for comfortable sedans and crossovers, it has strong presence in China and focuses on smooth ride quality and quiet cabins for mature buyers.

GMC

GMC is an American truck and SUV marque founded in 1911, active within General Motors and known for professional-grade trucks and utility vehicles. Focused on pickups, commercial chassis and premium Denali trims, it targets buyers seeking rugged capability with upscale options.

Saab

Saab Automobile was a Swedish brand founded in 1945 and ceased mainstream operations; notable for unique aero-influenced design and safety innovation. Renowned for quirky ergonomics, turbocharged engines and advanced safety thinking, the marque remains a fondly remembered niche brand.

Pontiac

Pontiac was a U.S. mass-market marque founded in 1926 and discontinued by GM in 2010. Famous for sporty, affordable performance models and muscle-car heritage, it provided enthusiast-focused mid-market alternatives during much of the 20th century before brand retirement.

Saturn

Saturn was a U.S. mainstream marque launched by GM in 1985 and discontinued in the 2010s. Created as dealer-friendly, small-car brand with unique retail approach, it offered affordable compact cars and dealer-focused marketing before being folded back into GM operations.

Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile was an American marque founded in 1897 and retired by GM in 2004. Historically important as an early mass-market innovator with a long heritage, it produced widely accessible family cars and contributed to early 20th‑century automotive development.

Tata

Tata Motors is an Indian mass-market and commercial vehicle manufacturer founded in 1945, active and producing cars, trucks and buses. Known for economical vehicles, commercial mobility and global acquisitions, it expanded into passenger cars and owns notable international brands through acquisitions.

Mahindra

Mahindra is an Indian mass-market and utility vehicle maker founded in 1945, active and known for durable SUVs and commercial vehicles. Focused on rugged, value-oriented off-road capability and agricultural/utility segments, it’s a major player in India and emerging markets for practical vehicles.

Tucker

Tucker was a short-lived American innovator founded in 1944 and ceased operations; notable for safety innovations and a visionary single-model effort. Though commercially unsuccessful, the marque is famed for forward-thinking features like safety focus and design ambition during a turbulent postwar period.

Dodge

Dodge is an American mass-market marque founded in 1914 and active within Stellantis, known for robust cars and performance-oriented models. Historically a truck and muscle-car contributor, it balances family vehicles with high-performance variants and strong North American cultural presence.

Chrysler

Chrysler is an American mainstream and near-luxury manufacturer founded in 1925, active within Stellantis. Known for family sedans, minivans and innovation in packaging and engineering, it has been a major U.S. automaker with shifting market positions and notable corporate history.

Datsun

Datsun began as a Japanese small-car marque founded in 1931, later phased out and briefly revived; currently largely dormant as an independent badge. Known historically for affordable compact cars and export success, its name retains nostalgic recognition globally.

Lada

Lada is a Russian mass-market marque founded in 1966 and active under AvtoVAZ, known for rugged, affordable cars suited to harsh conditions. Famous in Eastern Europe and Russia for durable, simple vehicles, it remains a practical, value-focused domestic brand.

Rover

Rover was a British marque with roots from 1878 and automotive activity through the 20th century; it became defunct as an independent carmaker. Known historically for sedans and British engineering, its storied past includes both mid-range and premium offerings before corporate break-up.

Morgan

Morgan is a British boutique manufacturer founded in 1909, active and known for hand-built, retro sports cars with wooden frames. Combining craftsmanship, classic styling and niche appeal, it produces small volumes of characterful roadsters for enthusiasts seeking traditional motoring experiences.

TVR

TVR is a British sports-car marque founded in 1947, historically known for lightweight, high-power sports cars and a raw driving focus; currently dormant with intermittent revival attempts. Celebrated for driver-focused performance, it remains an iconic boutique sports-car name awaiting stable return.

Zastava

Zastava was a Serbian (Yugoslav) manufacturer founded in 1953 and later ceased mainstream passenger car production; notable for producing affordable small cars for regional markets. Known for rugged simplicity and local mobility solutions, its automotive operations diminished amid industry changes.

Geely

Geely is a Chinese mass-market manufacturer founded in 1986 and active globally through acquisitions and joint ventures. Known for rapid expansion, purchasing established Western brands and investing in EVs, it transformed from domestic automaker to an international automotive group with varied brands.

Roewe

Roewe is a Chinese passenger car marque founded in 2006 by SAIC, active and positioned as a premium domestic brand. Known for technology-rich, value-oriented sedans and EV aspirations, it targets Chinese buyers with modern features and local premium positioning.

MG

MG is a historically British sports-car marque founded in 1924 and now owned by SAIC, active producing mass-market cars. Known for affordable sports cars historically and modern budget-friendly small cars and SUVs, it blends British heritage branding with Chinese ownership and manufacturing.

FAW

FAW (First Automobile Works) is a Chinese state-owned manufacturer founded in 1953, active and producing a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicles. Known for heavy industry roots, joint ventures with global brands and broad domestic footprint, it’s a pillar of China’s auto sector.

Isuzu

Isuzu is a Japanese commercial and SUV maker founded in 1916, active and specializing in diesel engines, trucks and rugged SUVs. Known for durable commercial vehicles and engine technology, it focuses on commercial mobility and niche passenger utility vehicles globally.

Fisker

Fisker is an American EV marque founded in 2007, relaunched and active with boutique electric models and sustainable-materials focus. Known for design-forward electric concepts and attempts at affordable luxury EVs, it pursues niche premium electric vehicles with sustainability emphasis.

Wuling

Wuling is a Chinese mass-market brand founded in 1984, active and notable for affordable minivans and micro-commercial vehicles. Known for practical, low-cost people- and cargo-movers dominating Chinese micro‑commercial segments, it serves urban and small-business mobility needs with high-volume sales.