Smart Car History

Current smart ModelsAll smart Models Source: edmunds.comUsually, Italian exotic sports cars are best at getting other motorists' attention when driving down the road. But the diminutive "Smart car," as many people refer to it, turns just as many heads. But in this case, a Smart is about fuel economy and efficiency, not performance.Smart began in 1993 as a joint venture between Daimler-Benz and Swiss watchmaker Swatch, creating a company...

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Current Scion ModelsAll Scion ModelsOnly a few years old, Scion is the youngest brand on the market -- a fact that seems appropriate, given that it's targeted at a very youthful demographic. Scion has quickly found a home in the hearts of buyers seeking its winning blend of value and style. The frosting on this cake is that Scion is part of the Toyota family, offering all the quality and reliability you'd expect from a marque with its parentage.When...

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Saturn History

Source: Saturn CorporationSaturn Corporation was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors in January 1985. The Saturn concept began in 1982 as a response to increasing import competition and a traditional, adversarial relationship between union and management. The two would ultimately form a partnership to study and implement an innovative way to develop and market U.S. manufactured small cars. Together, this partnership created...

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Saab History

SAAB, Svenska Aeroplan Aktie Bolag (Swedish Airplane Corporation)Source: Swedish Airplane Corporation In 1938, the Saab factory was built in Trollhattan Sweden. At this time, they were not an automobile manufacturer. With World War II on the horizon, the Royal Swedish Air Force was in need of aircraft. On September 1, 1939 war broke out and Saab built bombers and fighters. The Saab factory was prepared for the task with two previous years...

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Pontiac History

Source: General Motors CorporationIn 1907, the Oakland Motor Car Co., predecessor to Pontiac Motor, is founded by Edward M. Murphy on August 28, 1907 in Pontiac, Michigan.In 1909, General Motors purchases a half interest in Oakland Motor Car Co. on January 20, 1909. When its founder, Edward Murphy, passes away the following summer, his company comes under the full control of General Motors. In 1932, the Oakland name is dropped from the vehicle...

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Panoz History

Current Panoz ModelsAll Panoz ModelsPanoz is an automobile manufacturer whose sexy sports cars are exotics in the truest sense of the word. The company's cars are drop-dead gorgeous and come with steep price tags; additionally, given the fact that a relatively small number of Panoz cars are made each year, a Panoz offers more exclusivity than your typical Ferrari or Bentley. Panoz makes only sports cars and its current lineup consists of just...

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Mitsubishi History

Current Mitsubishi ModelsAll Mitsubishi ModelsMitsubishi has its roots in producing commercial vehicles for its home market of Japan. Its current selection of vehicles, which include cars, trucks and SUVs, tend to offer above-average performance and style.A Japanese word meaning "three diamonds," Mitsubishi was founded in by Yataro Iwasaki, a descendant of samurais, in the early 1870s. The company's initial focus was on shipping, but it quickly...

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MINI History

Current MINI ModelsAll MINI ModelsFew cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis...

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