The automotive sector is confronted with a number of obstacles, the results of which have been the demise of a significant number of car manufacturing enterprises. On the other hand, there were a few companies that were on the point of going bankrupt, but they got lucky when new automobile models came out and saved them. Here are several vehicles that were essential in the survival of their manufacturers.
Volkswagen Golf MKI
Volkswagen launched the Volkswagen Beetle, which was an immediate hit and went on to dominate the market from the 1940s through the 1960s. However, in order to continue following the trend, the corporation needed to develop something fresh. Since then, they have attempted to offer new models such as the Type 4 and the EA266, both of which were ultimately scrapped. After some time, the firm made the decision to introduce completely new automobile models, beginning with the Passat. However, the Golf MKI did the magic.
Peugeot 205
In the 1970s, Peugeot made the decision to broaden its business operations, and in 1975, it formed the PSA Group by acquiring Citroen. After that, in 1978, the European branch of Chrysler was included into the corporation as a whole. These takeovers had a huge impact on the company, and as a result, it is currently in a precarious financial position. The launch of the Peugeot 205 in 1985 was the turning point that prevented them from collapsing completely financially. This elegant and high-quality hatchback compact car came out looking sleek, and it was an instant hit as a result.
BMW 700
It is possible that the fact that a massive firm such as BMW was once on the verge of failing could surprise you. It was very close to happening in the late 1950s due to the production of a number of models that were not very successful in the marketplace. The creation of the BMW 700 in 1959, on the other hand, helped to clean up the mess. It was the first vehicle to employ a structure known as a monocoque.
Austin Metro
During the 1980s, Austin Metro evolved into a national problem for the United Kingdom. The decrease in sales that resulted from the launch of automobile models that were not successful led to financial difficulty. A number of workers went on strike in response to this development, which, combined with poor management, led to the situation. The launch of the Metro, which was an instant hit with customers, was what ultimately led to the company’s survival.
1949 Ford
In the latter part of the 1940s, Ford was subject to a few periods of poor performance. In the United States, sales began to decline for a number of reasons, one of which being the continued production of antiquated pre-war aircraft. However, when Henry Ford II, Henry Ford’s grandson, took over the company in 1945, things started to go in a different direction. He oversaw the production of the brand new model for 1949, which was presented to the public in June of 1948. On the day of the launch, the firm got approximately 100,000 orders, and they went on to sell more than a million.