15 Forgotten Car Brands That Used to Be Everywhere
Once dominant on the roads, these forgotten car brands were pioneers, trendsetters, and icons—until they vanished into the rearview mirror of history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Once household brands, these 15 car manufacturers were ubiquitous—speeding down highways, topping sales lists, and defining the automotive industry. From muscle car icons such as Pontiac to luxury stalwarts such as Packard, they flourished in their heyday but eventually succumbed to corporate blunders, shifting markets, or aggressive competition. While they are no more, they live on in vintage car collections, nostalgia-driven memories, and the roads they once dominated.
1. Pontiac (1926-2010)
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Pontiac was General Motors’ high-performance division, builder of the GTO, Firebird, and Trans Am legends among muscle cars. However, GM struggled with cash flows, and Pontiac’s identity faltered in the early 2000s. Pontiac died along with GM during bankruptcy restructurings in 2010.
2. Oldsmobile (1897-2004)
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One of America’s most historic car companies, Oldsmobile, was an innovator in mass-producing automobiles even before Ford. The Cutlass Supreme and 442 were nameplates on many family cars during the ’60s and ’70s. GM discontinued Oldsmobile in 2004 after decades of sagging sales and brand watering down.
3. Mercury (1938-2011)
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Designed by Ford as a middle-line brand between Ford and Lincoln, Mercury enjoyed a substantial presence for decades. Models such as the Cougar and Grand Marquis were once well-liked, but Mercury models in the 2000s became nothing more than badged-up Fords. In 2011, Ford decided to put the brand out of business because demand was declining.
4. Saturn (1985-2010)
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Introduced by GM to battle Japanese imports, Saturn promised a new direction with innovative vehicles and no-haggle pricing. Although initially successful with models such as the SL and Vue, the brand was hurt by GM’s poor management. The 2008 financial crisis was Saturn’s final blow, and it closed in 2010.
5. Plymouth (1928-2001)
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Chrysler’s budget brand, Plymouth, was a one-time best-seller with the Barracuda, Road Runner, and Voyager minivan. By the 1990s, though, Plymouth’s model lineup was similar to Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler discontinued the brand in 2001, citing poor sales.
6. AMC (American Motors Corporation) (1954-1988)
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AMC established itself with odd but functional vehicles such as the Gremlin, Pacer, and Jeep Wagoneer. Though it built cult favorites, it fought against the “Big Three” automakers. Chrysler bought AMC in 1987, retaining only the Jeep name and liquidating the remainder.
7. Studebaker (1852-1967)
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Formerly a wagon maker, Studebaker moved into cars and was renowned for fashionable models such as the Avanti and Champion. However, bad economic choices and intense competition in the 1950s caused its downfall. By 1967, it stopped making cars altogether, and the era of an American legend was over.
8. DeSoto (1928-1961)
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A sub-brand of Chrysler, DeSoto made fashionable sedans and ostentatious tail fins popular in the ’50s. However, its target market was pinched between Dodge and Chrysler, causing its sales to shrink. Chrysler dropped DeSoto in 1961, barely giving notice to dealers before ending production.
9. Packard (1899-1958)
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Packard was once America’s leading luxury car manufacturer, competing with Cadillac on upscale models such as the Twelve and Caribbean. Financial decisions followed by a disastrous merger in the 1950s with Studebaker ruined the company. The final authentic Packard came off the assembly line in 1958, capping a venerable tradition.
10. Hudson (1909-1954)
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Most well-known for its streamlined “step-down” styling and preeminence in the early days of NASCAR, Hudson was a reputable maker during the 1940s and ’50s. In 1954, it merged with Nash-Kelvinator to become AMC, but the Hudson name was gone within short order. The brand’s pioneering tradition continues in the history of the automobile.
11. Nash (1916-1954)
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Nash led the way in fuel efficiency and small cars, making well-respected vehicles such as the Nash Rambler. Its 1954 merger with Hudson to form AMC ended the Nash brand. Although forgotten, Nash’s heritage can be observed in some early AMC models.
12. Duesenberg (1913-1937)
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A symbol of luxury and performance, Duesenberg made some of the most powerful and extravagant cars of the 1920s and ‘30s. The Great Depression devastated demand for high-end cars, leading to the brand’s closure. Today, Duesenberg remains a legendary name in classic car circles.
13. Kaiser-Frazer (1945-1953)
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Created after World War II, Kaiser-Frazer attempted to take on the Detroit behemoths with stylish, high-quality cars. Although it enjoyed some early success, it couldn’t match the scale of production by Ford and GM. The brand declined in 1953, although Kaiser’s legacy survived in Jeep.
14. Tucker (1947-1949)
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The Tucker 48 was a revolutionary car ahead of its time, featuring innovations like a third headlight that turned with the steering wheel. Preston Tucker’s company faced legal and financial troubles, leading to its collapse after producing only 51 cars. The Tucker name remains legendary for innovation and controversy.
15. Edsel (1958-1960)
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Ford spent a lot on introducing Edsel, which promised a high-end mid-market brand. Sadly, its weird design and hefty price tag scared away customers, and it became one of the most notorious auto failures in history. Ford discontinued Edsel after only three model years, losing hundreds of millions of dollars.