By Robert Emslie
Not all automotive brands are defined by a single model – hell, even Tesla is attempting to erase that stigma – but many brands have introduced models that have changed perceptions about the company, or have even saved them from financial ruin. I’d like you to contemplate the original K-Car for a moment, the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant. Not exactly a stellar pair by any stretch of the imagination, but when you consider both the number of variants pulled from that platform, as well as the fact that the Chrysler Corporation’s very existence depended upon their success, you have to admit that they were pretty impactful products.
Ford too have almost bought the farm on a few occasions, notably in the late forties when the financial onus of shifting back to civilian production and a less than desirable model range of lightly warmed over pre-war cars conspired to drive the company over the edge. The 1949 Ford, which was a watershed model in both design and feature, brought the company back from the brink, saving them to fight for another day, or 60 years.
A single model can have such positive influence on a brand, either redirecting the company’s persona, or just making a butt-load of money for the brand. Cars can have negative impacts as well, and we’ll cover that tomorrow, but today I want your opinion on which cars or trucks have had the greatest positive impact on their brands, and why you think that’s so.
Image source: Hemmings
Jeff Glucker
Umm, "… when the financial onus of shifting back to civilian production and a less than desirable model range… conspired to drive the company over the edge"?
Nope. It was Henry Ford's steep descent into madness in the early '30s. WW2 government production kept the company going in spite of the financial holocaust that had been going on since the days of the Model A. By the time Hank the Deuce took over, corporate billing was figured out by multiplying a given figure by the number of inches of paper in the stack of bills!
Remember, in the late 40's automakers sold every car they made due to pent-up demand.
Even though a brands halo car often hurts the bottom line rather than helps, it is important to get people interested in the brand itself.
So, yeah, NSX. If the Acura dealer has one of these, I will be in the door, and may leave with a used up RSX or something.
<img src="http://www.importautosantee.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-24-at-11.12.04-PM.png" width=550>
Some say, Acura themselves changed the way North Americans looked at Japanese auto manufacturers, and with a sleight of hand managed to have most hardcore domestic fans blame Toyota for everything!
Mustang did a lot for Ford Motor when it came out,and still does.
I was hoping Ford would spin Mustang into a sub-brand with Mustang GT, SVO, Capri, Falcon, Cobra… with various 4, 6 and 8 cylinders with coupe, sedan and wagon variants.
Why you not use my idea FORD???
Why can't we have another SVO? Lighten up the mustang(the current gen weighs 3500+lbs), trim the fat(size wise) and give it the ecoboost 4 cylinder.
I'll go back to dreaming.
It's pretty well known there will be an ecoboost 4 in the Mustang. If that supplants the V6 or becomes another tier, we'll see.
Another rumor is the Mustang will be made available in Europe and might have something "Capri" about it.
According to Top Gear's "The News" it looks like Europe will get the Mustang.
I really couldn't care less about the engine options. I just want to see a smaller mustang. Things are huge, especially beside an old one.
That just puts us on the standard hooniverse "cars are getting bigger, uglier and heavier" ran though, so I'll stop.
Shelby did a lot for Mustang when it came out, and, as a brand, still does.
<img src="http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Ford/65_Shelby_GT350R_FstBck_DV-06-ARM_02.jpg" width=500>
You could say that Mustang did a lot for Shelby.
Perhaps, but the Cobra was an earlier, and I'd say greater success story for him.
My answer should have been the G8.
WRX (particularly, the STi). Virtually every Subaru owner I’ve known relishes whatever is shared between their car and the Pleiades-badged flagship. Got a Legacy, or a Forester? It’s like a WRX with more room! Base Impreza? It’s just a de-tuned WRX! I can’t think of another flagship that has the same effect manufacturer-wide.
<img src="http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2013-subaru-wrx-sti_100408398_l.jpg" width=500>
New guy at work as an STI. I like the new guy at work.
If only I could get a Forester STi in the US.
I had a class with a guy who would talk about his WRX. A lot. He made sure you knew he had a WRX. I saw him in the parking lot one day, getting out of a Forester. I said to him "I thought you had a WRX." He very tersely replied "well its mostly a WRX under there with everything I've done to it."
Ok, I've got no beefs with that- a highly modded Forester is pretty cool. By why pretend it's something it isn't? Tell me you've got a badass Forester and you'll win more points than when you tell me you have a WRX and I find out you don't.
Original Subaru WRX
<img src="http://www.saab99turbo.com/images/saab-99-turbo-registry2.jpg">
Prior to this, a Saab was no more than a slow, utilitarian vehicle for quirky college professors.
No, you're thinking of the KV. The Saab was the slow, racing vehicle for quirky college professors.
<img src="http://atomictoasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/SAAB-1-700×418.jpg" width="500">
Now that's a good-looking car.
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5121/5374191464_b7fdb55293_z.jpg" width=500 /img>
Well, for a few years, it was the entire VW brand, and for decades after that, it was metaphorically the VW brand. The chassis was spun off into a wider range of cars, it set the template for what a VW was (solid, German, equally quirky and sensible), even the DDB advertising inspired their advertising well into the 21rst century. Plus, being able to produce it for roughly a lifetime in Brazil and Mexico have helped the VW brand overall.
<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6609779009_f9385d6982_z.jpg" width=500 /img>
It also doesn't hurt that the Beetle has had a massive positive impact on a second brand.
When your brand starts out recognized as Hitler's Car, built with slave labor from concentration camp prisoners, pretty much anything you do afterwards will be seen as a big marketing improvement.
<img src="http://s2.hubimg.com/u/99721_f520.jpg" width=500>
I'd argue it's the Golf. The Beetle was the first car of the brand, so picking that is almost cheating. That, and they sold more Golfs than Beetles. <img src="http://s1.blomedia.pl/autokult.pl/images/2011/12/volkswagen-golf-i.jpg" width="600">
The 2006 Hyundai Sonata: it was the first time the Korean automaker's sedan was seriously compared to the Honda Accord, etc, and its 5 year warranty helped it gain real traction in the marketplace. For the first time the company was a player and not an oddity for cheapskates.
<img src="http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/06/cars/2006_Hyundai_Sonata-2.jpg" />
30 years ago the 205 saved Peugeot from bankruptcy and turned their image around from stuffy to awesome…
<img src="http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/FB/BAC484BA487AC4731711B6114A2AC7.jpg">
And now Peugeot is in exactly the same position as 30 years ago … Will the 208 be able to pull it off again?
WRX is taken, how about Evo then, only bright star in the sea of Mitsu's mediocrity.
<img src="http://www.evolution-8.com/images/pics/evo8-rally2.jpg" width="589">
Or maybe Dakar winning Pajeros:
<img src="http://carinpicture.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mitsubishi-Pajero-Dakar-2004-Photo-03.jpg" width="589">
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Lincolnblackwood2.jpg" width="500">
Crap. I seem to have misunderstood the question.
Damn, this was my runner-up answer. And hey, look, it's towing something (boat, methinks).
A small boat. Or jet skis.
Okay, lets put or minds into that of a Blackwood owner. Methinks jet skis, but am unsure.
another blackwood.
A trailer made from the bed of another Blackwood.
I tried finding one, but no luck. Ever want to have fun, go check out blackwood forums. Questions about what they haul in the bed and even a forum thread, "are there any orginal owners left?" Youch.
Oh, that's fun. I found a few quotes I have to share.
"How many of you drive your Blackwood or Mark LT as a daily driver? I use my Blackwood as a weekend toy to drive to car shows or Sunday drive. Very seldom drive it during the week. Some might say its a waste to use a truck this way but I always enjoy firing up the Blackwood on the weekends."
Answer to the previous post: "Toy… 08 Mark LT. Doesn't see rain, snow, cold weather. It sits in a garage covered until the nice summer days. Even then really only drive it for special occasions."
"I do not know. It was registered to a lady there. the interior is nearly perfect and the outside has some surface scratches that I hope a buffer will resolve. I added wheels and boards and a video/dvd/back up camera. I really enjoy the truck so far. I wish I knew the story. The engine compartment is spotless. so how do you aquire the surface scratches with everything else showroom new???? I intend to call her to inquire."
Here's the best:
"Parts must really be getting hard to come by for these trucks"
This stuff is just insane. I guess we now know who buys these "trucks"
Let me give a pat on the back of the Volvo 140.
<img src="http://en.volvo-club.cz/graphics/gallery/full/1_140.jpg">
This was a huge development for a small car company, and it broke with every existing design principle for Volvo – while it still sported some existing mechanics. First car with two circuit disc brakes (and, yes, those discs look like they belong to a commercial truck), a boxy shape that would define the company for decades, unparalleled safety and a break with the company's beloved rallye history – in favour of uttermost rationalism.
Imho, the Volvo 140 is one of the most significant cars of all times, it was well-developed and is still the foundation of what Volvo is perceived like today. Yet, the model has always been in the shadows of the gorgeous Amazon (for which their guts might be salvaged) and the mighty 240 (which is just a decades long exercise in improvement). Hail the 140!
[youtube 029nFGSzZZY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=029nFGSzZZY youtube]
You're right about it being in the shadows. A little over a decade ago when I had mine, the local private Volvo shop told me they didn't carry any parts specific to the 140 series and didn't want to work on them. They preferred to turn them away from the shop altogether. They supported "classic" Amazons and "abundant" 240s, but the 140 was, to them, not important in either sense.
I decided to go elsewhere (and much farther away) even for the stuff they did carry.
Hail,indeed. My family had three of these great cars.
Without the 350 GT, the Lamborghini brand would still be associated with tractors.
<img src="http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200806/lamborghini-350-gt-14_800x0w.jpg" width=500>
Until the AMX came along, AMC (or Rambler, as they had been known) was known for small economy cars. There had been a few attempts to insert some performance, like the Marlin, but they didn't really catch on. The Javelin was available a few months earlier, but wasn't as much of an out and out sports car as the AMX. The AMX was when AMC stopped being solely associated with economy. And for a few years, AMC had some serious racing successes, with AMXs on the drag strip (especially the 52 factory race prepped SS/AMXs) or Javelins on road courses. And I think the AMX had the longest lasting impact on AMC- today, anyone under 40 who hears AMC (and knows who they are) is likely to think of a muscle car, whether it's an AMX, Javelin, or even a Gremlin with a 401 under the hood. The economy car image may stick with some who are older and remember when the earlier Ramblers were new, and some less car inclined folks may just remember the Pacer from Wayne's World, but I think the AMX did a pretty incredible job of putting AMC on the muscle car map.
<img src="http://luxedb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/AMC-AMX-car-6.jpg" width=500>
And here's an SS/AMX because racecar:
<img src="http://info.prestoliteperformance.com/newsletters/2013/automotive/011013/PetesPatriot-600.jpg" width=500>
GAH! Clicked the wrong thumb. Somebody upvote this for me please.
Crap. Sorry man, I upvoted it for me before I saw your post.
Though admittedly it was never intended to be a big mover in terms of sales, the SC/Rambler was at the dragstrips before the AMX.
<img src="http://d2om8tvz4lgco4.cloudfront.net/archive/x213519739/g2440000000000000003274caae4d623a5155088ea220e0844bd1a87bcb.jpg" width=500>
AMX came out in 68. SC/Rambler wasn't out until 69. You could get a V8 in an American before the SC/Rambler, but they weren't as potent and weren't marketed the same way. The SS/AMX didn't come out until 69, I don't know whether that or the SC/Rambler were the first out.
You are right. I was misremembering 1970 as being the first AMX model year instead of the last. The contemporary styling cues of the AMX vs. the boxier SC, and the AMC nameplate vs. Rambler probably reversed the timeline in my mind.
Understandable. For all the reasons you mentioned, plus the fact that it was 45 years ago, it's a pretty easy mistake to make.
You think the K-Car was a piece of crap, try driving one of these. However, calling it a car that built a company is an understatement. It was the car that built the industry.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/1910Ford-T.jpg" width="500">
<img src="http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/toyota-prius.jpg" width="600">
Nope, not in this crowd! But in the eyes of the general public for whom cars are a necessary evil, the second gen Prius made Toyota synonymous with the environmentally conscious choice, both virtuous and thrifty – however much truth was/is behind that is irrelevant. It also established them as the leaders in hybrid tech and who doesn't like high-tech?
(For my part I'm sincerely hoping that in 20 years hybrids will be seen as a transitional abberation and nothing more.)
Even if we don't want it to be true, it's still a legit answer.
Yeah, I was going to go for this answer, but I took the cowards way out. +1.
Well I was going to post the NSX if you hadn't already, but no one beats you for speed of NSX posting, so, there's that.
<img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/1957_Chevrolet_Corvette_Fuelie_Racer_Engine_1.jpg" width=500>
Corvette was pretty much a flop with the Blue Flame 6 when it came out, and while the 55-56 models were greatly improved with the introduction of the SBC, the real image boost came in 1957 with the optional one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch Fuelie engine. Engine output at that ratio is now fairly commonplace, but 50+ years ago, it was enough to turn the model from a former also-ran to a legendary halo car.
I like this answer because almost every other answer is the introduction of the model itself, rather than the update.
Runners-up: Original Taurus. Early-90's wide-body Camry. Late-80s Lebaron convertible. Dodge Intrepid and its variants. Original Chrysler minivan.
E-for-effort consolation prize: Olds Intrigue, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky
Winner: Late-90s B5 Passat. It made Volkswagen both aspirational and a reasonable choice for the non-enthusiast.
The B5 Passat made the B5 Audi A4 a cheaper proposition with platform sharing.
At least in the US, the A4 saved Audi from going "Alfa".
I agree, although I didn't want to always be talking about Audi. 😉 Yes, the A4 saved Audi in the US. On the other hand, the B5 Passat was an updated, and frankly more solidly contented version of the platform. Larger, with features like seat memory, under-door lights, ventilated glove box, and a few other things the A4 didn't have.
Some would say the Beetle probably had more of an overall impact on the VW brand and they'd be correct. However, it's the GTI that gave VW its practical yet sporty image. This kept buyers still interested in VW after the glory of the Beetle wore out. In fact, this was the first car to prove that you could have your cake, and eat it too.
<img src="http://all-carz.com/data_images/volkswagen-golf-1500-mk1/volkswagen-golf-1500-mk1-07.jpg">
Prior to 1955 Chevrolet was known as GMs cheap and economical brand, with never more than a straight six engine, while Buick, Olds, and Pontiac had V-8s or straight 8s. Suddenly Chevys were HOT.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/1955_Chevrolet_Bel_Air_PAS346.jpg"width=500>
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_szY6czURhx0/TPkv4ftXluI/AAAAAAAADSU/exkNl92Dk68/s1600/57PlymouthAd.jpg" width="500">
Also, suddenly Plymouths are not cars for grandmas, but cool and desirable.
1st gen LS400 took Toyota, and Japanese in general, from a joke of a luxury car manufacturer into a world powerhouse. They went from being laughed at by Mercedes to eating their lunch in one fell swoop. The car proved that not only could they make a luxury car, it would be more reliable and easier to live with than any of the competition.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Lexus_LS_400_UCF10_I.jpg/640px-Lexus_LS_400_UCF10_I.jpg">
It didn't break any new ground with its styling, but it absolutely slaughtered people's expectations – of Toyota, of Japan, and of luxury cars in general. Every generation since has held the top sales slot of any luxury marquee's flagship model. Zero to top seller in one generation, that's impressive to me.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Mazda_cosmo_sport.jpg" width=500>
Without this, I think Mazda would never have developed the identity they now carry.
The GT40 surely had an impact on Ford racing. Win Sebring on Sunday, sell a Mustang on Monday.
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/1969-06-01_Ford_GT_40_von_Kelleners-J%C3%B6st.jpg/800px-1969-06-01_Ford_GT_40_von_Kelleners-J%C3%B6st.jpg" width=550>
I can't believe $kaycog hasn't posted this already.
I'm late to the party, but this is my choice! 😀
🙂
Three Mustangs. please.
<img src="http://www.muscularmustangs.com/images/gt40historical1.jpg">
For me, the Nissan GT-R. Not that I ever had a bad opinion of Nissan–I've been a fan of the Z cars for the whole of their existence*. I love the fact that Nissan put their halo car out under their own name and not their marquis brand.
I don't begrudge Toyota their Lexus LFA, or Honda their Acura NSX, but this car ain't like either of those. In spirit, more a broadsword than a rapier. And though I've always liked Nissan, I liked Nissan more after they built this car.
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PAwOAX7f-o/UKP7nzzvr1I/AAAAAAAAEec/GzjRUIRbgEE/s1600/nissan-gtr+1.jpg" width=450>
*With maybe a little break in the late 90s until I got used to the shoe shape and decided to like them retroactively.
Just don't forget they tried to push the GT-Rless version of the Skyline on us under Infiniti…
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/NISSAN_SKYLINE_COUPE_V35.jpg" width=500>
That's not a turbo, though.
<img src="http://tanshanomi.com/temp/turbo-winner.jpg">
Haha, indeed! I am slow mover anyway.
Subaru was known for its quirky econoboxes in the late 80s, so it was natural for them to launch a flagship with jet fighter style windows. Wait, what?
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/dacca0d3a6edc6af2d1e59ab56d7558a/tumblr_mfmgawMfml1rzleuao1_500.jpg">
Before the 2002, BMW was merely the builder of stodgy German luxury cars (and quirky microcars) for people who had somehow forgotten about or never heard of Mercedes-Benz. After the 2002, BMW was (and still by and large is) the synonym for "sport sedan."
<img src="http://theinterrobang.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/bmw-2002.jpg" width="500">
While it's true that the 2002 broke BMW in the North American market, the Neu Klasse saloons pulled them back from the financial abyss of the early 60's.
<img src="http://www.finkbuilt.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2000.jpg">
1934 Citroën Traction Avant. It built their innovative image, and it started their FWD-only tradition. It's also unibody and the front was independently sprung (front: torsion bar and wishbone). They even introduced a hatchback option in the late 1930s. The car bankrupted the company at first, but it started their legendary image.
<img src="http://www.jilleshelmantel.nl/images/25mrt08/Citroen_Traction_Avant_1934_04.JPG" width="600">
So sexy…
For the times, it was such as evil, low slung bastard.