As Kelley Blue Book celebrates its 100th anniversary, there is no better time to revisit the automotive landscape of 1926. In that year, the road ahead was anything but certain. Innovation was accelerating, competition was intense, and automakers were taking chances in a rapidly changing world.
For many automakers, however, there was no guarantee of survival. The 10 automakers highlighted here were active in or around that pivotal year, and each one helped shape the automotive world. These companies grappled with shifting markets, embraced new technologies, and moved faster than ever before. Some companies survived the long haul, while others did not.
10 Auto Brands from 1926: A Timeline
A snapshot of automakers active in or around 1926 showing when each brand began, when it ended, and notable transitions (such as mergers) that shaped the industry.
A century later, their rise and fall offer more than historical insight. Seeing the highs and lows provides perspective on an industry that has never stopped evolving. While automakers continue to adapt, innovate, and push what's possible, their legacies remind us that every breakthrough leaves a lesson behind. Every milestone, like this centennial celebration, is built on the journeys of those who came before.
