Who owns who

So, you're buying an English car huh? That fancy Jaguar with its birds eye maple... so much nicer than any American car. In fact, no American company can compete with its elegance you say. Well, hold on to your bowler because, as nice as the Jaguar is, it's now a Ford.

The automotive world is a complicated place now and with consolidation hitting everyone it's no surprise that car companies are gobbling up each other faster than ever before.

Now, just because Volvo sold their car division to Ford it doesn't mean you can get a Mustang engine in a S60 sedan. Nor does it mean you can get Ford Focus with an Aston Martin engine. But it does mean these companies with bigger parents have a better chance of surviving long-term because of better financial stability. In fact there's a good chance SAAB wouldn't be making new designs if it weren't for GM and I don't think Volvo would have had the money for their latest 'R' line of cars if Ford hadn't stepped in.

But in soap opera fashion sometimes these companies sell their divisions so quickly that the new parent doesn't even have time to make their own changes. What do we mean? The latest Range Rover (from Land Rover which is owned by Ford) comes with a wonderful BMW engine under the hood. Why? Because BMW bought the Rover group some years ago and sold the Land Rover lineup to Ford. To put it plainly, you'd be buying an English SUV with a German engine from an American company.

Use our chart below to see who owns who.

BMW owns:
-BMW
-Mini
-Rolls Royce

Chrysler owns:
-AMC (brand discontinued -- Chrysler bought AMC primarily for the Jeep brand which was owned by AMC)
-Chrysler
-Dodge
-Eagle (brand discontinued)
-Jeep
-Plymouth (brand discontinued)

Daimler/Chrysler owns:
-Chrysler (small percentage)
-Maybach
-Mercedes-Benz
-Smart

Fiat owns:
-Alfa Romeo
-Ferrari
-Fiat
-Lancia
-Maserati

Ford owns:
-Aston Martin (SALE PENDING)
-Ford
-Jaguar
-Land Rover (bought from BMW)
-Lincoln
-Mazda (Ford owns 33% of Mazda)
-Mercury
-Volvo cars

Fuji Heavy Industries owns:
-Subaru

General Motors owns:
-Buick
-Cadillac
-Chevrolet
-Daewoo (GM owns 44%)
-Fiat (GM has decided to divorce itself from Fiat as of Feb '05, but will retain 10% ownership.)
-GMC
-Holden
-Hummer
-Oldsmobile (brand discontinued)
-Opel
-Pontiac
-Saab
-Saturn
-Suzuki (2.5%, from 20%)
-Vauxhall

Honda owns:
-Acura
-Honda

Hyundai owns:
-Hyundai
-Kia

Isuzu owns:
-Isuzu
(Mitsubishi Corp., Itochu Corp. and Mizuho Corporate Bank owns part of Isuzu.)

Mitsubishi Corp. owns:
-Isuzu (13.6%)
-Mitsubishi Motors Corp (13%)

Nissan owns:
-Infiniti
-Nissan
-Renault (Nissan owns 15%)

PSA Peugeot Citroen owns:
-Citroen
-Peugeot

Porsche owns:
-Porsche
-VW (~31%)

Renault owns:
-Nissan (Renault owns 44%)

Toyota owns:
-Daihatsu (~51%)
-Fuji Heavy Industries -- Subaru (Toyota owns ~20%. Toyota bought this from GM in late 2005. )
-Isuzu (5.9%, announced 7 Nov. 2006)
-Lexus
-Scion
-Toyota

Volkswagen owns:
-Audi
-Bentley
-Bugatti
-Lamborghini
-SEAT
-Skoda
-Volkswagen

The automotive world is constantly changing so this article is will updated as needed.

Last update: 29 Nov 2007
Latest changes were: Chrysler & Daimler split up. Man, we were late on updating that!

Comments

[doug]

I own an Australian made GM holden with an american design engine in it. Toyota make a great car until somethings goes wrong $$$. To keep a GM car on the roads for parts is heaps cheaper.

[volt]

Look, foreigners already have a good foothold of our country an continue to do so due to not only the unpatriotic and foolish acts of the American public by basically giving in and buying the better product, we are also foolish enough not to try to top them in quality by reverse engineering their “better product”. Another mistake fondly made is the word of mouth that these companies are always going to be the best…. Nothing ever stays the best or honest for that matter. I have worked for: GM, Chrysler, Honda and Toyota, there is only one major difference between the foreign car makers vs. the domestics…. The foreign car outfits babysit their customers because they believe we are a bunch of neandrathals that don’t know how to take care of our own cars, but that’s the kind of society we want to be… Sit in front of the TV, eating takeout, slacking off at the job, taking more time off then we actually work, and complaining about stuff we really don’t care about anyways, or do anything about anyhow… The American public needs to grow up

[John Brent gavino]

This is just a little confusing for me. In cars designed by countries, I think there are a lot of manufacturers better than American made cars.

[Wolf Man]

Ford has sold Aston Martin and Jaguar to an India based company.

[sandie]

hey rich- you say: "FORD IS ONE OF THE WORST CARS THERE ARE I DROVE A FUSION FOR 500 MILES AND IT WAS PINGING AND STALLING" (and i will even apologize for the caps-lock move for you)

but... you drive *one* car, *one* time, for 500 miles & post your absurd blanket-opinion of your *one* experience.

now, listen carefully, because i'm sure this can help you in all faucets of your life: though you may be entitled to your opinion, the fact of the matter is you're just not qualified to share it.

[Josh]

What is the deal between Nissan and Renault? Nissan own a little of Renault and Renault owns a lot of Nissan.

[Edin]

Ok guys, I live in the States and I love it. I am not originally from here but I love living here. That said, I have always owned a VW or BMW. I like the way they perform, I like the way they are build. I have driven so called American cars and I really just dont like them. I don't like the parts used and the mentality of the people behind the machines.The reason most jobs are getting outsourced to foreign countries is because its cheaper to pay for the labor and you get a better product. labor unions in this country have ruined the names of these companies. I can see it daily at my job.

Now, to all you patriotic idiots out there, you wanna be patriotic go join the military and fight for your country like i did.

[Nick]

Oh and by the way TATA (Indian car firm produces the worlds cheapest car at $2400 on the road) has bought Land Rover and Jaguar from ford (cos they are broke).
Also can I comment on the lack of english skills. Is this a reflection on the poor quality of the american education system because none of you seem to be able to put a sentance together without putting in the wrong gramatics or even the wrong word.
Thanks again

[Nick]

I come from the Uk where we have no volume car producers. Thought I would point that out from the start. The problem with american cars is that they all look the same and have the same basic problem with them (show them a corner and they will immediately leap off the road and crash). I doubt any american car executive has ever been to Europe as they would have been able to fix this problem long ago. So this leaves them with a small problem. The only way the american firms sell cars is to tell the public it is american and they should buy it regardless of quality. Other people on this blog are right when they say that the parts for most of these American cars are likely to be sourced from the cheapest supplier (which in all likelyhood will not be the U.S). Buy whatever car you want but dont ask patriots or car dealers they always lie to you. You are best off buying what you can afford and also what you want not what some in bred moron from the deep south says you should do for the sake of his trailer park. American industry should have to stand or fall on its own two feet and not have to rely on american buying inferior quality just to be patriotic.
Thanks everyone

[Bubba]

THE MORE I READ THE DUMBER THEY GET !
I HAVE DRIVEN EVERY CAR MADE FROM 512 BOXERS TO KIA'S I HAVE OWNED THOUSANDS BEING IN THE AUTO SALES BUSINESS AND SALVAGE BUSINESS FOR THREE GENERATIONS .I ALWAYS DROVE CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE'S USED CHEVY AND FORD TRUCKS . I RETIRED 10 YEARS AGO AND HAVE BOUGHT HONDA'S EVERY SINCE AND STILL OWN EVERYONE OF THEM I BUY A NEW ONE AND PASS THE OLD ONE DOWN THROUGH MY FAMILY THEY NEVER DIE !THEY DON'T RUST OUT ! THEY RUN ON PENNYS WORTH OF GAS AND THE ONLY PART WE HAVE EVER REPLACED ON ANY OF THEM IS THE BOOT ON THE CV JOINT.BUT I'VE EVEN FOUND IT'S FASTER AND CHEAPER TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AXEL FOR 59.00 AT AUTO ZONE AND IT'S LIFETIME !
NOW I CAN STILL AFFORD TO BUY WHAT I WANT BUT THE CIVIC IS JUST COOL IT'S FAST AND FUN TO DRIVE TRY THAT IN A DETROIT BOX OH AND IT HAS AS MUCH ROOM INSIDE AS NEPHEWS NEW CADDIE AND IS QUITER TO RIDE IN !!!!!!!

Bubba !

[toomanycars]

FYI - I just updated the Automotive Family Tree.

http://www.toomanycars.info/CarRelationship/Car_Rel-Image.html

[dvd download]

I wouldn't mind automatically deploying stop sticks every time someone is going 50 in a residential neighborhood (or blasting their stereo so that the objects inside houses vibrate). Behaviour would improve once they had to replace a couple of sets of tires.

[jaguar and ford lover! o.k my names Jackson]

i found this site very interesting and the automobile market really is much more complicated than i thought, either way i must admit Jaguars are the best! sexy, elegant, cool looking and so sexy :)

[American Joe]

Mickey Craig needs attention. Someone please go hold his hand and wipe his ass for him. Might need a bottle, whiner he is.
At least American cars don't have ass-backwards electrical systems in them.

[James]

I found this, it includes many smaller companies and regional companies which are not on the list I think they should be included, I really want one place I can go to to find who really owns who, I dont know how up todate it is but I think it is a good start
http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/4742/2259/1600/94588/WHO%20OWNS%20WHO.jpg

[Sean O'Connor]

To my knowledge Chrystler and Mercedes have seperated.

[Semi]

What's wrong with the American auto industry? Diversification. They thought that they needed to do other things and buy non-auto related companies in the 70s and 80s. Believing that their car making would fund the whole thing and fatten the bottom line. US car companies just need to drop the extra baggage- focus on just building cars and auto-related items.

I used to buy Japanese but now I buy American. Generally, they last longer and are cheaper to operate. Don't believe in the longevity claim? Look for a 75 Toyota, a 75 BMW, and a 75 Ford. Even after you factor in disproportionate sales figures amongst these marques you will still find the 75 Ford to be on the road in greater numbers. The Japanese do make reliable cars but they're spartan, little on amenities.

If you're now thinking about how these things are irrelevant, think about how you feel about cars in general. Think about how your money should get the most for you. If you think you shouldn't get more than a toaster to drive around in for your hard earned dollars then maybe you're in the wrong country.

It's about passion. The more Americans spend the more they want to "feel" about/for the product they're purchasing. Dishing out $400k for a house? Well, it's going to be the house you fall in love with. And when you are financing $25k on a car you want it to be a machine you will love 5 or 6 years from now.

Don't agree? Go ahead and buy your toaster... er, Toyota.

[Michael]

For one thing everyone who says that since Toyota or Honda has car plants in the U.S. it is just the same as buying GM or Ford is dead wrong because do some research and you will find out that the Toyota and Honda Plants are extremely Goverment Subsidized.
Second thing I would like to say is this I bought a Pontiac Sunfire in April of 1996 I still have it now and it has 214,400 miles on it. Some might read that and say well maybe this guy is just good with fixing cars. I don't know anything about fixing cars beyond changing a tire and checking the oil.
I have heard of many Toyota's being given up on well before 200,000 miles.

[jt]

so i drive a ford. a focus diesel 1.8 tdi. had it in the family from new and ites comming upto 5 years old now. lets see its had two trips to the garage for a service and 45000 miles (£150 tires in that one) and 95000miles and is about to pass 125000miles (£175) tires in that one too)... nothing has ever EVER gone wrong on it! nothing apart from normal things changed in the services!!! still has the same emmissions and bph as if it were new!!! so yes, the USA (ie ford) ca make good cars!!!

i have had a VW polo 1.4 which again got to 165000 miles and then i broke the syspension so it was a wright off... shame because this cost even less to run than the ford.
i know anothe polo which has passed 200000 miles and still has nothing wrong with it.

in short mums peugeot 206 ceased at 25000... my friends fiat blew up at 50000... my friends toyota needed more money than a jumbo jets fuel cost to keep it on the road to 60000

VWs go forever... and now we find that the most popular car in the UK the focus also goes on and on and on and on.

oh and they are both far cheaper than any other car makes and now both come with 100000 miles warrenties over 3 years

then again come to think about it so do hondas and they go like s**t too!

[Drjno]

Just for info,
Renault owns Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors.

[Stiqman]

Thanks for updating this article regularly.. you dont realize how you are the ONLY database with this information so easily organized. i wish they did this with restaurants... care to expand?

[Joe]

Well, all I can say is your choice in cars is as personal as your taste in music. However, that doesn't mean there are some facts... the facts are my 1990 accord thats my daily driver is worth more then most "American" (Ill explain quotes later) brand cars that are 6-7 years newer. They retain value better, have more reliability, and just generally are put together better. Those are facts, I didn't say anything about looks. As of 2007 there are more American made PARTS in a Camry then in a Ford Fusion, all 2007+ Camry's we have in the us are made in the US, where as all 2007+ Fusions are made in MEXICO. I am not making this up, unfortunately American companies don't want you to know this, and spend plenty of money trying to make you believe that American cars are the rough, tough bad boy cars that are domestically built and its your patriotic duty to buy them. They tell you this because its all they have left, is the superior American image. In fact, most Toyota's you will ever buy in the US these days are American made, Honda has plans to open 3 factories in the US by 2009. Even with all our high protective tariffs it has protected the inability for "American" car companies to adapt. I love my country as much as the next guy but these are facts guys, wake up, don't live in denial.

[KT]

The problems with American Auto Indusrty are corporate corruptions and health care crisis. The reason why they need to provide huge incentives because they over produced. Compare any dealerships, American brands always have more inventories then other foreign counterparts. They have to give huge incentives to push sales.

Why is Ferraris are so expensive? Because Demand is higher than Supply. American makes are not cheap either, compare to Suzuki, and Kia. American car is not easier to repair compare to Japanese, but Japanese parts are usually more expensive and hard to find then American parts.

The company executives are making big bucks and yet the companies are in RED. Go back to the drawing board and make better plan to control productions and quality control. For those who bashed about Foreign car maker pay less to factory worker, let me tell you this. People work harder and appreciate the money they make when they get pay less. That is why the Asians do not spent their money to buy "STUFF". They buy "PROPERTIES". Try visit some domestic factories with union, you might see some guys taking a nap.

[The Inter Chan Man]

Gmc is the best car manufacture in the world
and ford sucks ass

[Micky Craig]

Stupid Bloody Yanks. Your cars are SHIT, your heads are TOO BIG so shut the 'ck up & get over yourselves. Jeeez.