Help me figure out the U.S. auto industry

Okay, so there’s a Big Three auto conglomerates, or combines, or whatever. What’s the fourth biggest domestically? AM General? Or is it a subsidiary? Don’t tell me it’s Vector…

Is there any good source for which conglomerate owns which brand name? I can only remember a few subsidiaries for each conglomerate. Like, Ford owns Chrysler. Just kidding. What I’m looking for is a big list, with all the subsidiary brand names.

Okay, so how big do vehicles get before the Big Three doesn’t dominate any more? I mean, is domestic manufacture of tractor-trailers and two-axle panel trucks dominated by three companies just like cars and pickups and stuff?


Any similarity in the above text to an English word or phrase is purely coincidental.

Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler are certainly the big three. Keep in mind though alot of Acuras are built here in the states while the LH cars(dodge intrepid, chrysler concord and the LHS) were built in Canada. The LH cars were considered domestic because of the domestic parts content. In my guess you’d really have to wonder what is being manufactured where, and whether its a domestic or an import

the list

GM->buick-olds-pontiac-GMC-Chevy-Saturn-Lotus(actually i think Lotus was sold)-Saab-Cadillac-Geo(now defunct)

Ford->Lincoln-Mercury-Ford-Land Rover-Jaguar-and i believe Aston Martin-has huge stake in Mazda

DaimlerChrysler->Jeep-Chrysler-Dodge-Mercedes Benz-Plymouth and Eagle(not for much longer)and that company 1/2 owned by SWATCH(yes the watch maker).

I think this list is complete

Vector?! Who the hell is that?

AM were bought (and, except for Jeep, dissolved) by Chrysler about ten years ago.

GM’s major divisions are Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Cadillac. Saturn isn’t really big enough to be considered a full-fledged division yet. Technically there’s also GMC truck, but they are all totally identical to Chevrolet.

Ford’s are Ford, Mercury and Lincoln.

Chrysler is Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge.

Keep in mind that these so-called “divisions” mean almost nothing anymore. They’re basically just marketing tools.


I for one welcome our new insect overlords… - K. Brockman

As Hail Ants said, it used to be American Motors, until Chrysler bought them.

By “domestically”, do you mean headquartered in the U.S.? If that’s the case, I don’t think Chrysler even qualifies, since they’re now German-owned. However, if you mean manufactured in the U.S., Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes, BMW, and a few other foreign makes have factories here. As for who among them is number 4, I don’t know.

Is Checker still making taxi cabs?


“If you’re so pro-life, do me a favor: don’t block medical clinics, lock arms and block cemeteries.” – Bill Hicks

siva, you left out Volvo under Ford. Looks fine otherwise though.

Can you enlighten us on how the European brands connect? Volkswagen owns some of the popular brands, but who else is big?

Vector is the limited-production (50 or so a year, I think, IIRC) manufacturer of American supercars. I really, really want one. Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon.

A committee is a lifeform with six or more legs and no brain.

Actaully I think you’re right about guessing AM General. They did just get into a deal with General Motors but I think it was only for using their name on a new civilian model and for various promotional stuff. I think AM General is still owned by Renco Group.

Just to mention another small US maker, Panoz.