Which car company no longer exists? A guide to defunct automakers and discontinued brands

Many car companies and marques no longer exist; widely recognized examples include Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Saab Automobile, Mercury, Plymouth, American Motors Corporation (AMC), Studebaker, Packard, and Holden. The question can refer to entire companies that shut down or were absorbed, as well as brand names retired by their parent automakers. Here’s how to interpret the phrase and a clear look at notable cases across eras and regions.

What “no longer exists” can mean in the auto industry

In automotive history, “no longer exists” is used in two common ways: some entities were independent carmakers that went bankrupt or were acquired and ceased to operate; others were brands that a larger company discontinued, even though the parent company still builds cars. Understanding this distinction helps explain why, for example, Pontiac disappeared while General Motors continues, or why Saab’s car business ended even though the Saab name survives in aerospace and defense.

Well-known discontinued car brands (primarily North America)

These are marques retired by their parent companies, meaning the brand stopped selling cars even though the corporate parent often remained active. The list highlights examples many drivers still recognize from recent decades.

• Pontiac (General Motors) — brand discontinued in 2010 after GM’s restructuring.
• Saturn (General Motors) — brand ended in 2010; a proposed sale to Penske fell through.
• Oldsmobile (General Motors) — phased out in 2004, ending America’s oldest car brand at the time.
• Mercury (Ford) — discontinued in 2010 to streamline Ford’s lineup.
• Plymouth (Chrysler) — retired in 2001 after decades as a value marque.
• Scion (Toyota) — shut in 2016; several models continued under the Toyota badge.
• Geo (General Motors) — ended in 1997; many models were rebranded as Chevrolets.
• Eagle (Chrysler) — discontinued in 1998 following Chrysler’s merger and portfolio shift.
• Datsun (Nissan) — revived in 2013 for emerging markets and discontinued again in 2022.
• Hummer (GM standalone brand) — dropped in 2010; the name returned in 2020 as “GMC Hummer EV,” but the separate Hummer brand remains defunct.

These brands illustrate how major automakers prune or reposition lineups over time, often keeping the engineering and dealer networks while retiring the marque itself.

Automakers that ceased operations or were absorbed

The following companies were independent carmakers that stopped producing vehicles due to bankruptcy, mergers, or strategic exits. Some names later lived on only as intellectual property or in other industries.

• Saab Automobile AB — filed for bankruptcy in 2011; assets were later acquired by NEVS, but the Saab car brand did not return to market.
• American Motors Corporation (AMC) — acquired by Chrysler in 1987; the AMC marque was discontinued.
• Studebaker — ended automobile production in 1966 after a long decline.
• Packard — the storied luxury marque faded after a final run in 1958.
• DeLorean Motor Company (original) — the 1975–1982 company behind the DMC-12 went bankrupt; modern “DeLorean” efforts are unrelated new entities.
• MG Rover Group — collapsed in 2005; MG was revived under China’s SAIC, while the Rover marque remains dormant under Jaguar Land Rover’s ownership.
• British Leyland — the UK conglomerate fragmented and restructured through the 1980s; the corporate entity and branding are long defunct.
• Daewoo Motor — entered bankruptcy in 2000; GM acquired control in 2002, rebranding as GM Daewoo (later GM Korea) and phasing out the Daewoo brand in most markets by 2011.
• Holden (as a brand and manufacturer) — GM ended local manufacturing in Australia in 2017 and retired the Holden brand entirely by 2021.

These cases reflect broader industrial shifts—consolidation during downturns, national industrial policy changes, and evolving global platforms that made smaller independent makers less viable.

Recent shifts and retirements to know (2010s–2020s)

The last decade saw additional brand exits and structural changes as automakers pivoted to electrification, software, and platform efficiency. The examples below underscore developments that are especially relevant to current shoppers and enthusiasts.

• Holden — GM formally retired the brand in 2021 after ending Australian design/manufacturing earlier.
• Datsun — Nissan concluded its revival program in 2022, withdrawing the brand from the remaining markets.
• Scion — wound down in 2016, with product lines integrated into Toyota.
• Hummer — discontinued in 2010 as a standalone brand; name revived only as a model line under GMC from 2020.
• Smart (U.S. market) — Mercedes-Benz ended sales in the U.S. in 2019; the smart brand continues globally in a JV with Geely.
• Fisker Automotive (original 2007–2014) — the first Fisker entity failed in 2014; a separate company, Fisker Inc., filed for Chapter 11 in 2024 and remains subject to ongoing proceedings.

Because status can change—especially for newer EV startups—checking up-to-date filings and official announcements is important when assessing whether a name has truly disappeared or is merely paused or restructured.

How to verify whether a car company still exists

If you’re researching a name and want to confirm its current status, these steps can help you separate defunct brands from active companies or revivals.

• Check the company’s or brand’s official website and press room for current model and dealer information.
• Search recent regulatory filings or bankruptcy court dockets (e.g., U.S. PACER, Companies House in the UK, or national equivalents).
• Consult credible automotive news outlets and industry databases for acquisition, merger, or discontinuation reports.
• Look for trademark status updates and ownership transfers that may signal brand dormancy or retirement.
• Verify regional differences: a brand may be active in one market and discontinued in another.

Using multiple independent sources reduces confusion—especially for brands with revivals, licensing arrangements, or regional exits that can blur the line between “gone” and “still here.”

Summary

There isn’t a single answer to “What car company no longer exists” because many famous names have vanished or been retired. Notable examples include Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Mercury, Plymouth, Saab Automobile, AMC, Studebaker, Packard, and Holden. Some were discontinued brands within larger corporations; others were independent automakers that were absorbed or went bankrupt. When in doubt, verify the latest status through official announcements, legal filings, and trusted industry reporting.

What company does not make cars anymore?

14 Defunct Car Brands and How They Failed

Brand	Date Founded	Date Ended
Oldsmobile	1897	2004
American Motor Company (AMC)	1954	1988
Packard	1899	1958
Studebaker	1852	1966

Which car company has stopped production?

Car companies like Plymouth, Mercury, Saturn, and Pontiac have stopped production entirely due to corporate restructuring, declining sales, or shifting market interests. In addition, several specific models of vehicles have been discontinued, such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Fisker Ocean, and Mini Clubman, while some other brands, like Suzuki, have exited the US car market but continue to operate in other sectors. 
Brands That Ceased Production

• Plymouth: Discontinued in 2001 following DaimlerChrysler’s merger. 
• Mercury: Shut down in 2010 due to declining sales and market share. 
• Saturn: Production halted in 2009 after years of poor sales and a failed attempt to attract new customers. 
• Scion: Dissolved in 2016 after its sales declined following the 2008 recession. 
• Pontiac: A victim of corporate restructuring and declining sales. 
• Oldsmobile: Failed to capture new consumer interest, leading to its demise. 
• Saab: GM, who had a stake in the company, shuttered the brand in the U.S. in 2010. 
• Fisker: The company filed for bankruptcy in early 2025, leading to a halt in production of their Fisker Ocean vehicle. 
• Isuzu: Has disappeared from the US car market. 
• Suzuki: Left the US car market in 2012. 

Models That Ceased Production 

• Chevrolet Camaro: No longer available as a 2025 model.
• Mini Clubman: Discontinued for 2025.
• Infiniti Q50: No longer available.
• Maserati Ghibli: The performance sedan is no longer available.
• Nissan Titan: Discontinued.
• Mitsubishi Mirage: Discontinued.
• Kia Rio: Discontinued.
• Nissan Maxima: Discontinued.

Which car company went out of business?

Many well-known car companies have gone out of business, including General Motors’ divisions like Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer, as well as independent brands like Mercury, Plymouth, American Motors (AMC), Studebaker, and Saab. Other examples include the luxury brand Packard, the distinctive DeLorean, and even historical figures like Duesenberg and Tucker. 
Recently Discontinued (Last 25 Years) 

• Pontiac: Opens in new tabA General Motors brand known for its performance cars, discontinued in 2010. 
• Oldsmobile: Opens in new tabAnother GM division, it was a long-standing brand that faced declining sales and was discontinued in 2004. 
• Mercury: Opens in new tabA Ford Motor Company brand that closed in 2010 after failing to generate enough sales. 
• Saturn: Opens in new tabCreated by GM to reach new customers, it was shut down during the 2008 financial crisis. 
• Hummer: Opens in new tabOriginally a civilian version of a military vehicle, this brand also closed after the GM bankruptcy in 2010. 
• Plymouth: Opens in new tabA long-time Chrysler brand that ceased production in 2001. 
• Saab: Opens in new tabThe Swedish carmaker faced financial difficulties and went out of business around 2012. 
• Scion: Opens in new tabAnother Toyota experiment to capture a younger audience, its line was absorbed back into the Toyota brand by 2016. 

Historical Examples

• Studebaker: An iconic American brand with a long history, it went out of business in the mid-1960s. 
• American Motors Corporation (AMC): Formed from a merger of Nash and Hudson, AMC was later absorbed by Chrysler and sold its Jeep division. 
• Packard: A luxury car brand known for its high-quality vehicles, it was absorbed by Studebaker and eventually folded in 1956. 
• Duesenberg: A high-end luxury and performance brand from the early 20th century. 
• DeLorean: Famous for its “Back to the Future” appearance, this innovative sports car manufacturer lasted only a few years in the early 1980s. 
• Tucker: Preston Tucker’s innovative and visionary sedan was a short-lived venture in the late 1940s. 

What is the oldest car company still going?

Peugeot companies
The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was established in 1810, making it the oldest car company in the world. On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applied for the lion trademark. Armand Peugeot (1849–1915) built the company’s first vehicle, a steam-powered tricycle.