Occasionally, a car comes that completely changes the game and forces other manufacturers to rethink their strategies.
Since the inception of the auto industry over a century ago, it's estimated that over 1.4 billion cars have been built. Hundreds of automakers have existed throughout history and have produced different models to meet different needs, including affordable sedans to move families around, pickup trucks for workers, SUVs for off-roading lovers, and countless other types of models.
Manufacturers are always introducing new models, discontinuing failed ones, and updating the successful ones, which is why it can be hard for gearheads to keep up with all the models. However, occasionally a new model comes along that's so revolutionary that it changes the entire automotive scenery and forces other automakers to rethink their strategies. Let's explore ten such cars.
The Model T wasn't the first-ever car, as Karl Benz had built one long before Henry Ford had the idea. However, to many gearheads, the Model T is more important to the history of the automotive industry as it was the first car available to the masses – not just the rich and powerful.
The Model T was the first-ever mass-produced car, which is why so many were able to buy it. It was also solidly built and had enough ground clearance to navigate bad roads, making it a great choice for both rural and urban populations. With over 15 million examples made, the Model T is still among the vehicles with the highest production numbers of all time.
The first car to fit the accepted muscle car definition was the Oldsmobile 88 in 1949. However, many gearheads believe the first proper muscle car was the iconic Pontiac GTO.
Pontiac introduced the GTO in 1963 as an optional package for the Le Mans, and it was so good that it became the template that other automakers followed when building their muscle cars. The GTO was so popular that Pontiac made it a separate model from 1966.
The EV industry has come a long way over the last decade and is expected to go even further in the near future, as more traditional automakers commit to an emissions-free future. However, that would probably not be the case if the Tesla Model S didn't exist.
The Model S was Tesla's first mass-produced electric vehicle when it debuted in 2012, and it quickly changed the public perception of EVs. Its sleek design, minimalist interior packed with advanced technologies, and insane acceleration have made the Model S one of the most popular electric cars.
After World War II, America needed a new pickup truck model that American workers could use in their work so as to restore the economy back to where it was. Ford responded by building the F-Series, and the automaker is still producing it to date.
The F-Series has always been one of the most capable, reliable, and affordable pickup trucks, which is why it's still topping sales charts to date. The F-Series has evolved from a work truck to being one of America's favorite daily drivers, as it offers the space and comfort of an SUV while still offering a bed when needed.
In the late '80s, Mazda decided to rewrite the rules of making fun sports cars when it built the MX-5 Miata. Before the Miata, the general belief in the auto industry was that the more power a sports car had, the more fun it was. However, Mazda focused on reducing the weight and making the driver feel like they were one with their car.
Although the Miata only made 116 hp, it was incredibly fun to drive due to its lightweight nature. This also helped keep its price down, making it accessible to the masses. The Miata is still in production today and is the best-selling two-seater sports car ever made.
The Cherokee was not the first SUV, but it created the formula on which all the top SUV models are based today. The Cherokee was the first modern unibody SUV, which made it much better than its competitors.
The unibody construction not only made the Cherokee lighter, but it also gave it better handling and a smoother ride, making it a great daily driver. The Cherokee is one of the reasons why SUVs are so popular in the US today.
In the late '90s, Toyota shook up the industry when it introduced the world's first mass-produced hybrid – the Prius. The Prius was a huge source of debate within the automotive community, as many felt it was ugly while others felt its fuel-efficient drivetrain was the future.
The Prius has been around since and is still one of the most popular hybrids on the market. Thanks to the Prius, the hybrid segment has grown tremendously over the last two decades and has even produced supercars like the Ferrari La Ferrari and Ferrari SF90 Stradale.
Lamborghini's first car – the Miura – had a beautiful design that quickly showed what the new automaker was capable of. However, the car that came after the Miura caused a huge wave of excitement across the industry thanks to its outrageous design.
Dubbed the Countach, this insane supercar had a futuristic wedge-shaped design that made it one of the most popular poster cars of the day. It's no surprise that most modern Lamborghini designs can still be traced back to the Countach.
Adolf Hitler is, without doubt, the worst human being to ever live. However, one undeniable fact about Hitler is that he cared about the poor German people, which is why he ordered Volkswagen to build a cheap, fuel-efficient, and practical car for poor families to use. The result was the legendary Beetle.
The Beetle's affordability and durability quickly made it one of the best-selling cars in the world, and by the end of its production run, Volkswagen had sold over 20 million units. The Beetle wasn't just about affordability, though. Its iconic design served as the inspiration for many automakers, most notably in the development of the Porsche 911.
Sedans have always been a great choice for families looking for an affordable way to get around. But what about families with more than two kids? Well, that's the question the Chrysler corporation wanted to answer when it built the first modern minivans – the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.
These two minivans were so popular that they helped make minivans an independent segment within the automotive industry. The segment has grown so much over the years that we now have high-performance minivans that can face off against sports cars and win.
Martin is a seasoned content creator who has been writing about cars for over a decade, and has been in love with them for even longer. Growing up, Martin was surrounded by gearheads who instilled a deep love and understanding for cars in him at a young age. He loves to learn and write about all the developments happening in the auto industry – especially in the EV space. When he’s not writing about cars, he likes to spend quality time with his wife, kids, and fur baby.
