KBB100 - Kelley Blue Book

A Legacy of Innovation

100 Years of Automotive Excellence

100 Years

of Experience

#1 Trusted

in Pricing & Value

Expert

Editorial Team

Most Accurate

Market Data

Pioneering
Spirit

For 100 years Kelley Blue Book has led the way in automotive innovation, evolving from Les Kelley’s early pricing lists into today’s trusted Blue Book values.

Trust &
Transparency

Our reputation as The Trusted Resource^® is well-earned by delivering market-reflective values that both consumers and the automotive industry rely on.

Future
Forward

Kelley Blue Book continues to push the automotive world forward with smart, ever-evolving, data-driven tools that help shape the road ahead.

Pioneering Spirit

For 100 years Kelley Blue Book has led the way in automotive innovation, evolving from Les Kelley’s early pricing lists into today’s trusted Blue Book values.

Trust & Transparency

Our reputation as The Trusted Resource^® is well-earned by delivering market-reflective values that both consumers and the automotive industry rely on.

Future Forward

Kelley Blue Book continues to push the automotive world forward with smart, ever-evolving, data-driven tools that help shape the road ahead.

Journey Through
Automotive History

From the roaring ‘20s to today’s electric revolution, check out the breakthrough technologies that transformed how we drive — one decade at a time.

1920s
The Closed Body

Automakers soon recognized that open cabins left occupants at the mercy of the elements, prompting the push toward closed bodies.

1930s
Front Independent Suspension

“Knee Action” was a new type of front suspension that used coil springs and control arms, enabling easier travel on the roads of that era.

1940s
The Automatic Transmission

The decade’s most important innovation arrived in 1940, when Oldsmobile introduced General Motors’ Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission.

1950s
Power Steering and Power Brakes

Early in the decade, these features were mostly found on luxury cars, but by the late 1950s they had spread to many mid‑range models.

1960s
The 3-Point Seatbelt

It’s not the flashiest innovation, but the 3‑point belt is among the most important, credited with saving millions of lives worldwide.

1970s
Catalytic Converters

A big step toward addressing toxic emissions began with the 1970 Clean Air Act, which led to the introduction of catalytic converters.

1980s
Electronic Fuel Injection

Injectors can control the fuel spray far more precisely than carburetors, leading to big gains in both performance and efficiency.

1990s
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)

This universal access port became standard, giving drivers unparalleled access to vehicle information, engine codes, diagnostics, and more.

2000s
Hybrid Vehicles

To this day hybrids remain a huge part of the car world, and automakers now offer more choices than ever across their lineups.

2010s
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

From blind spot monitoring to forward collision warning, safety systems have become an integral part of today’s vehicles.

2020s
Electric Vehicles Go Mainstream

EV sales worldwide grew from under half a million in 2014 to almost 18 million in 2024, representing a staggering 3,500% increase.

100 Years

of the Automotive World

A look back at a century of cars, culture, and game-changing ideas straight from our expert staff.

12 Landmark Events of 1926

Firsts, births, and launches beyond the automotive world.

From Model T to Model Y

Features that survived 100 years of car evolution.

How Car Ads Impacted Our Culture

From 1926 to 2026, one significant ad from each decade.

Century-Old Auto Brands Still Rolling

Automakers with 100 years or more in business.

Back to the Future: The Auto Show

How did auto shows start? How have they evolved?

A History of Automotive Paint Colors

Modern cars pop with color. Early ones? Not so much.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

What Car Decade Are You?

Take our fun quiz and discover which automotive era matches your personality!
Are you a classic 1950s cruiser, a bold 1970s muscle car, or a cutting-edge 2020s electric innovator?