Car Companies List: Which Brand Owns What?

author avatar
By Philipp Meister
Last updated Jan 02, 2019
0 comments

Do you know that Johnson & Johnson is the owner of Listerine, Band-Aid, Nicorette, and Tylenol and Proctor & Gamble is the parent company of several well-known brands like Head & Shoulders, Wella, and Pantene? Things are even funnier when you look into the car companies list. Most people know that Lexus is Toyota’s luxury segment but how about Rolls-Royce being a part of the BMW Group? Do you have any idea that Ferrari had long been a sub-brand of Fiat?

It seems that the brands you have known for so long are owned by another parent company. The trend sweeps all the industries and the automobile industry has some surprising revelations.

Car Companies List: Which Owns by Who?

Are you curious to know whether the Maserati or Cadillac in your garage is actually owned by the same brand name or an autonomous company? This alphabetically-ordered car companies list will help you navigate the confusing scenario.

1# BMW Group

BMW is a German multinational company that commenced its journey in 1916. Apart from manufacturing automobiles and motorcycles, it was also a maker of aircraft engines until 1945.

car companies list
A BMW i8 is an Electric Car

The brands it owns are:

  • BMW M and BMW i
  • Mini
  • Rolls-Royce

2# Daimler AG

Founded in 1926, the company name was Daimler-Benz before being changed into Daimler AG in 1998. The company also owns several heavy truck brands. It has a plan to launch another subsidiary brand named Mercedes-EQ. All electric and hybrid models will be released under this brand name.

The brands it owns are:

3# Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The company is one of the oldest automakers in the world as it was founded in 1899. It started manufacturing a complete lineup of cars from the 1950s. It acquired Chrysler in 2009 after the latter went bankrupt.

The brands it owns are:

4# Ford Motor Co.

Any car companies list must include Ford – the American automaker company that revolutionized the concept of assembly lines for automobiles. The large-scale car manufacturing and industrial workforce management were so innovative that the method earned a separate name – Fordism.

car companies list
Ford revolutionized the American automobile industry.

Founded in 1903, it once used to own major shares of various famous car brands – Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Aston Martin, and Mercury.

The brands it owns are:

5# General Motors

Like Ford Motor, General Motors is another American automaker giant that manufactures automobiles in 37 countries. The company is also famous for producing the mobility systems on the lunar rovers in several space missions. It downsized the operation after going bankrupt in 2009.

The brands it owns are:

6# Groupe PSA

The Groupe PSA is a French automaker that markets automobiles and motorcycles under several brand names. Peugeot is its most popular and largest brand across the world while Vauxhall and Opel are the largest in Europe.

The brands it owns are:

  • DS Automobiles
  • Vauxhall
  • Peugeot
  • Opel
  • Citroen

7# Honda Motor Co.

Despite being a newer brand than many other renowned names, Honda has cemented its position in the automobile industry. It’s not surprising that the car companies list includes a manufacturer that started its journey in 1948.

The brands it owns are:

8# Hyundai Motor Group

The South Korean company started in operation in alliance with Ford in 1968. currently, it owns some shares of Kia Motor Corporation – one of its main rivals. Just like Toyota’s Lexus, it launched a luxury subsidiary brand, Genesis Motors, in 2015.

The brands it owns are:

  • Genesis
  • Hyundai
  • Kia

     SEE MORE

9# Mazda Motor Corp

Mazda was originally a tool manufacturing company that made a move to the automobile industry in the 1930s. Ford Motor once owned 33% shares of the Japanese company, but it is currently an independent brand.

The brands it owns are:

  • Mazda

10# Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance

As the name suggests, the company is an alliance of these three automakers and their sub-brands. Renault is the owner of 43% shares of Nissan while the latter owns only 15% shares of the former. Renault is also a major shareholder of Mitsubishi.

car companies list
Two Renault Cars

The brands it owns are:

  • Mitsubishi
  • Renault
  • Nissan
  • Infiniti
  • Datsun
  • Dacia
  • Lada

11# Subaru Corp

Subaru is the automobile division of the Japanese company Subaru Corporation. It is the manufacturer of several highly popular car models. Another Japanese automaker giant Toyota owns 16% of its stakes but Subaru is an independent company.

The brands it owns are:

  • Subaru

12# Suzuki Motor Corporation

The Japanese multinational corporation started its journey in 1909. It produces motorcycles, wheelchairs, and outboard marine engines along with automobiles.

The brands it owns are:

13# Tata Motors Limited

The brand is a subsidiary of an Indian conglomerate – Tata Group. The automaker manufactures various types of vehicles including sports cars, passenger cars, buses, trucks, military vehicles, and more.

The brands it owns are:

  • Tata
  • Jaguar
  • Land Rover

14# Toyota Motor Corp

Being one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers, Toyota undoubtedly deserves a spot in this car companies list. Operating since 1937, it is one of the few brands that vehicles of which have a great resale value.

The brands it owns are:

15# Volkswagen Group

The company made its mark in the automobile industry with Beetle – a two-door, economy car that rose to skyrocketed popularity throughout the world. It is the owner of several luxury and popular car brands.

car companies list
VW owns several luxury car brands.

The brands it owns are:

16# Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH)

The ZGH is a Chinese company that entered the automobile industry by purchasing the Swedish automaker Volvo. It not only updated Volvo’s lineup but also launched a few other car brands.

The brands it owns are:

  • Lotus
  • Polestar
  • Proton
  • Volvo

The List of Currently Defunct Brands

These brands are not currently active but you will still get them in the market of used cars:

Brand Name

Parent Company

Mercury

Ford Motor Co.

Pontiac and Saturn

General Motors

Saab

National Electric Vehicle Sweden

Scion

Toyota Motor Corp.

Suzuki

Suzuki Motor Corp.

Prominent But Small-Volume Brands

There are several independent brands that don’t have a multinational corporation as its parent company.

car companies list
Aston Martin is an independent brand.
  • Aston Martin
  • Ferrari
  • McLaren
  • Tesla

>> Are you interested in used Japanese cars? Click here!!! <<