Awesome Car Brands You've Never Heard Of

There are many car brands worldwide, from household names like Honda and Mazda to rarer ones that may specialize in luxury, serve specific markets, or are discontinued. Here's a list of automotive brands and products the average consumer probably hasn't heard of.

Venucia

Venucia, a Chinese car brand owned by Dongfeng Motor Co., began production in 2012 with the D50 Sedan and sold 200,000 units in its first two years. Though not a market leader, its fresh design and innovation appeal to younger demographics, making it one of the few successful Chinese marques since 2010.

Hongqi

Hongqi, founded in 1958 and owned by FAW Car Company, is the oldest Chinese passenger car brand, revived in the 1990s. Known for its modern luxury, Hongqi offers six models, with the HQE priced over a million dollars as its most expensive.

Pagani

Pagani, an Italian automotive company founded in 1992 by Horacio Pagani, is known for producing luxurious supercars with designs inspired by Da Vinci's art. The Huayra BC, priced at $2.8 million, is the most expensive Pagani and was designed for Benny Caiola, the brand's first customer.

Caterham Cars

Caterham Cars, known for its lightweight, performance-focused vehicles, originated with Colin Chapman's 1957 Seven design. Purchased by Caterham in 1964, the brand continues to produce cars ideal for track and back road driving, with over a thousand individuals trained through its driver academy.

Gaz

Gaz, Russia's largest automotive manufacturer, specializes in commercial and specialized vehicles like vans, buses, and trucks, serving the service industry with high functionality. Founded in 1929 as a partnership between the Soviet Union and Ford, its last reported revenue in 2011 was 4.1 million rubles.

Spyker

Spyker, founded in the late 19th century as a carriage-building company, transitioned to producing vehicles and gained admiration for its design and engines. After ceasing production in 1925, it returned in 2000 as a luxury sports car brand, with the 2016 C8 Preliator as its latest model.

Venturi

Venturi, a French car manufacturer, is known for its participation in Formula 1 and racing, as well as for building the world's first fully electric sports car. The brand continues to set records, innovate with zero-emission vehicles, and recently developed an electric vehicle for Antarctic exploration.

TVR

Founded in 1946, TVR is a British automotive company known for its distinctive designs and powerful engines, blending classic British aesthetics with a lightweight body. Although quiet since 2013, TVR is focused on fine detailing for its 2018 release, promising a "loud, proud, and unapologetic" vehicle.

Seat

Seat, a Spanish auto company from Martorell, has been around for over 60 years, offering a wide range of vehicles from sedans to sports cars. The brand focuses on enjoying the journey and features a digital museum showcasing its historical products and participation in the Olympics.

Piaggio

Piaggio Group, an Italian company known for its two-wheelers, also produces small commercial vehicles like the versatile 'Ape' for crowded cities. Primarily popular in Europe and India, Piaggio has won 104 world titles and has a history dating back to 1884.