Models that save the whole company

In the history of every major car company there is at least one moment when it was on the verge of bankruptcy or sales fell so much that its existence was in question. Also, for most companies, this was associated with an unpleasant ending, saving taxpayer money or other unpopular measures, especially in the United States.

But those difficult moments also create great stories – mostly around the launch of a model that manages to win hearts, clients with portfolios, and the company that created it is back on track.

Volkswagen Golf

The first generation Golf is a happy answer to the question posed to VW bosses: where to take the company after the impressive but already exhausted success of the Beetle? Since the early 1970s, VW has tried several models to replace the Turtle, but the salvation came with the company's new boss, Rudolf Leiding, and his team. They launched a new group of models led by the Passat and, a bit later, the Golf.

Peugeot 205

Peugeot grew significantly in the 1970s, bought Citroen in 1975, formed PSA, and acquired Chrysler Europe in the late 1970s. But this expansion puts Peugeot in a serious financial position.

The French giant needs a hit to survive - in this role came the 1985 in 205 - a fun and quality hatchback whose success dates back to its first day on the market.

austin metro

Here the end result is debatable, but the story is interesting. By 1980, British giant Leyland was already a disgrace to British industry. The company is shaken by strikes, mismanagement, boring and bad cars, and sales are declining every day. Margaret Thatcher is even thinking about closing the company, since the state is the main owner. The British are looking for a replacement for the Mini and find it in the Metro, a model that manages to evoke customer patriotism along with the war with Argentina.

BMW 700

Even BMW is on the brink of bankruptcy? Yes, in the late 50s a series of low-sales models followed: 501, 503, 507 and Isetta. Savior? BMW 700. The premiere of this car took place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1959. This is the first model of the brand with a self-supporting structure and a significant improvement in handling. The engine is a 697cc twin-cylinder boxer engine. See Initially, the model is offered as a coupe, then as a sedan and convertible. Without 700, BMW would hardly be the company we know today.

Aston Martin DB7

Aston lost direction in the late 1980s, but salvation came with the intervention of Ford and the release of the DB7 in 1994. The dynasty belongs to Ian Cullum, the model is based on a slightly modified Jaguar XJS platform (Ford also owns Jaguar at that time), the engine is a 3,2-liter 6-cylinder with a compressor, and various components from Ford, Mazda and even Citroen.

However, design is what draws customers in, and Aston sells over 7000 vehicles, with a base price of £7 for the DB78.

Porsche Boxster (986) and 911 (996)

In 1992, bankrupt and Porsche looked each other in the eye, sales of the 911 in the US fell, and it was difficult to sell the 928 and 968, which have a front engine. The new head of the company, Wendelin Widking, who is betting on the Boxster (generation 986) - already the appearance of the concept in 1993 shows that the idea of ​​\u911b\u996ba affordable but interesting roadster appeals to buyers. Then comes the 986 (XNUMX), which has a lot in common with the XNUMX, and the brand's most conservative fans have managed to swallow the introduction of water-cooled engines.

Bentley Continental GT

Prior to the introduction of the Continental GT in 2003, Bentley sold about 1000 vehicles a year. Five years after the new owner of Volkswagen took over, the British are in dire need of a successful model, and the Conti GT is doing a great job.

Sleek design, 4 seats on board and a 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine is the formula that attracts 3200 people to deposit a new model ahead of its premiere. In the first year of the model's life cycle, brand sales jumped 7 times.

Nissan Qashqai

At the beginning of the century, predictions for Nissan were more than optimistic, but then Carlos Ghosn came to the company, who has two messages for the Japanese. First, it needs to cut costs dramatically, including plant closures, and second, Nissan must finally start producing cars that customers will want to buy.

The Qashqai practically heralds the start of the crossover segment and provides an alternative to families who don't want to buy a regular hatchback or station wagon.

Volvo XC90

In fact, we are talking about two generations of the model, each of which played the role of the savior of the brand. First, in 2002, when Volvo was under the Ford hat, it turned out to be a fantastic crossover, excellent to drive and with plenty of room on board. Sales in Europe and the US are incredible.

The current generation of the XC90 spurred the company's development and new lineup with new owner Geely and showed how the Swedes would go, which buyers loved.

Ford model 1949

Henry Ford died in 1947, and it looks like the company bearing his name will follow him a little later. Ford is the third best-selling in the United States, and the brand's models are pre-WWII designs. But Henry's nephew, Henry Ford II, has fresh ideas.

He took over the company in 1945, he was only 28 years old, and under his leadership the new 1949 model was completed in just 19 months. The premiere of the model took place in June 1948, and on the very first day, dealers of the brand collected 100 orders - this is Ford's salvation. And the total circulation of the model exceeds 000 million.

Chrysler K-model

In 1980, Chrysler avoided bankruptcy only thanks to a huge loan from the state. The company's new CEO, Lee Iacocca (creator of the Mustang since his days at Ford) and his team plan to create an affordable, compact, front-wheel-drive model to fight the Japanese invaders. This leads to the K platform already used in Dodge Aires and Plymouth Reliant. This platform was soon expanded for use in the Chrysler LeBaron and New Yorker. But the big success came with the beginning of its use in the creation of family minivans - Voyager and Caravan gave rise to this segment.