Edsel
Edsel was an American automobile brand that was a division of the Ford Motor Company. Named after Edsel Ford, the son of company founder Henry Ford, the brand was launched in 1957 for the 1958 model year. Edsel aimed to fill the price gap between Ford and Mercury in Ford’s product line, and its vehicles were notable for their distinctive “horse collar” grille, which was sometimes likened to an “Oldsmobile sucking a lemon.” Despite a highly publicized launch, the brand was not well received by consumers, who found the cars to be overpriced and unattractive. Ford’s internal issues, including management changes and production problems, coupled with an economic recession, further hurt Edsel’s chances of success. After just three model years and consistently poor sales, Ford decided to discontinue the Edsel brand in 1960. The failure of Edsel has been cited as one of the biggest flops in the history of the auto industry, often attributed to bad timing, confusing pricing, and corporate discord. Others: Eagle, Essex, and Excalibur.
Franklin
Franklin Automobile Company was an American car manufacturer founded by Herbert H. Franklin and engineer John Wilkinson in 1902. Based in Syracuse, New York, the company was known for producing luxury vehicles with advanced engineering and innovative designs. Franklin cars were particularly recognized for their air-cooled engines, lightweight construction, and impressive fuel efficiency for their time. The Franklin Series 9, introduced in 1922, and the Franklin Series 11, released in 1925, were among the brand’s most popular models. However, during the Great Depression, the demand for luxury automobiles plummeted, causing significant financial difficulties for the company. Unable to weather the economic downturn, Franklin Automobile Company went into receivership in 1933 and officially ceased operations in 1934. The brand was not merged with any other automaker, marking the end of the Franklin name in the automotive industry. Others: Fisker, Flint, and Frontenac.
Geo
Geo was an American automobile marque, a subdivision of General Motors, that was founded in 1989. The brand was established as GM’s attempt to compete with the influx of affordable, fuel-efficient import cars entering the American market. Geo produced several notable models including the Geo Metro, Geo Prizm, Geo Storm, and Geo Tracker, all of which were rebranded versions of cars made by Japanese automakers. Despite initial success in the early 1990s, the brand faced declining sales due to a variety of factors, including competition from other affordable compact cars and a lack of distinctive identity. In 1997, General Motors decided to phase out the Geo brand and merge it into the Chevrolet brand. By 1998, all former Geo models were rebranded as Chevrolet vehicles, marking the end of the Geo marque. Others: Graham, Great Eagle, and Greyhound.
Hudson
Hudson Motor Car Company was an American automaker founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1909. The company was named after its primary financial backer, department store entrepreneur Joseph L. Hudson. Hudson was renowned for its innovative designs and technologies. One of its most notable products was the Hudson Hornet, a full-sized automobile that dominated American stock car racing in the early 1950s. Another significant model was the Hudson Terraplane, a car line that was initially introduced in the 1930s as a budget-friendly option during the Great Depression. Despite these successes, Hudson struggled financially in the post-World War II period due to intense competition and the costs of modernizing its production facilities. In 1954, to remain competitive, Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation to form American Motors Corporation (AMC). The Hudson name was continued as a brand by AMC until 1957 when it was discontinued. Others: Hawk, Hudson, and Hupp.
