01:22 08-03-2026

Five car brands that left the market: NSU, Daewoo, SIMCA, Oldsmobile, Saab

The automotive industry has seen many examples where even well-known and respected brands have ceased to exist. Experts highlight five brands that completely left the market in the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century.

German NSU, founded in the 19th century, was one of the pioneers of car manufacturing. However, its bet on the Wankel rotary engine proved unsuccessful, and its outdated model lineup couldn't withstand competition. In 1969, the company was absorbed by the Volkswagen Group.

Korean Daewoo actively expanded and exported cars worldwide during the 1980s and 1990s, but declared bankruptcy in 1999. The brand was sold off in pieces, and its name gradually disappeared from the global market.

French SIMCA, known for providing the technological base for the Moskvich-2141, had lost its position by the mid-1970s. After releasing its final model in 1975, the brand was fully absorbed into Chrysler's structure.

American Oldsmobile lasted over a century and was considered a symbol of reliability. Yet by the early 2000s, the brand couldn't compete with other General Motors divisions and was shut down in 2004.

Swedish Saab gained fame for unconventional design and engineering solutions, but frequent ownership changes and financial troubles led to production halting. The last cars rolled off the assembly line in 2010.

These brands' stories show that even a prominent name and long history don't guarantee survival amid fierce competition and technological shifts.