logo

Luxury Brands Of All The Big Car Companies

Written by: Carmelo Pickel
Published: April 18, 2022
Last updated: October 8, 2024

Are you familiar with the owners of the brands of luxury cars you like to drive? Several large companies manufacture basic models the average person enjoys, and then they create an entirely new brand specifically for their pet projects. There is a lot of speed in many of these cars. They are comfortable and also have quite a bit of power.

Electric cars are the most significant trend affecting the global automobile industry this year as they combine consumers' desire for sustainable driving experiences with stricter emission regulations. The Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid are two of the upcoming luxury electric vehicles (EVs) that are getting more exciting to drive. Around the world, electric cars have longer ranges and a growing network of charging stations.

The digital era will reshape the car industry in 2021 in the second most important way. Connected cars, autonomous driving technology, and the growing size of the digital screens inside automobiles are three areas requiring manufacturers' attention. Our driving experience is being transformed digitally by luxury car brands. As a prime example of digital innovation integrated into the cockpit, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS is expected to enhance the driving experience.

The following are a few luxury brands by notable car manufacturers worldwide.

Acura (Honda)

Honda owns Acura and designed the car to chase its dream of creating a luxury car. In 1986, a series of secret meetings began to create the platform for this luxury contender while keeping the idea out of the public eye.

In the form of the NSX, the Integra, and the Legend, this brand brought racetrack performance into consumers' homes. They developed the first three-row crossover that became a revolution in the car industry, and they've also built a factory for supercars in Ohio.

Infiniti (Nissan)

Even though you might not associate them with the automaker, Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand. Around thirty years ago, a division inside Nissan decided to venture outside its comfort zone and focus on luxury vehicles. While they released two models, their advances within the auto industry made them unique.

Their VQ engine is one of a kind, as is the club, available only to owners of their vehicles. Nissan created a lineup of outstanding luxury vehicles when they created this company.

Lexus (Toyota)

Since Toyota owns Lexus, they have been a major player in the luxury game for quite some time. With their marketing strategy, they released their first car in 1989, and people went crazy over it. As a result, Lexus focused on providing personalized service, which was well-received by the public.

Within three years, it managed to beat out its competitors and, over the years, it has upgraded its vehicles with cutting-edge technology and features unavailable elsewhere. As of last year, they produced their ten millionth vehicle, so this brand is not disappearing anytime soon.

Genesis (Hyundai)

Genesis is a newer luxury car brand that Hyundai created after deciding that they wanted to start their luxury line. Genesis was first released in 2008 but did not become a standalone brand until 2017. The luxury world is still gaining traction as it keeps making strides forward one step at a time, but that does not mean they are not popular.

Their staff has grown from five employees to more than 300 today. Soon, this company is planning to release a fully-electric model, and we can't wait to see what direction they go.

Audi (Volkswagen)

Volkswagen's biggest luxury car player is with five luxury brands. Consumers can purchase luxury vehicles at an affordable price and vehicles that will require them to mortgage their house to make payments.

Clearly, they understand how important it is to build vehicles for class-conscious people, and we are confident they will continue to expand their offerings. Audi may have been Volkswagen's first acquisition, but its other acquisitions have been nothing but a blessing, as all the companies share technology to create better cars.

Audi's innovative technology has caught everyone's attention recently, from its new Tesla-rivaling electric sports car to photographers capturing the long-awaited Audi Q9. Audi has made breaking into the electric vehicle market one of its priority goals in the last few years. Along with rumors surrounding the Q9, Audi has moved closer to the top as it elevates its status to the forefront of the E-vehicle industry. Even Amazon announced a partnership with the brand so that its customers can purchase high-power electric charging stations at home.

Audi has also capitalized on the popularity of its e-Tron SUV and e-tron Sportback models. Audi has surged to the forefront due to a recent lack of competition from Tesla, relaunching its models. 

Tesla (Tesla, Inc.)

The cult following Tesla enjoys ensures it stays in the conversation year after year, and it's the most popular car on the internet in the US market as of 2021. As the world's most valuable automaker since its founding in July 2003, Tesla has seen its stock prices rise in the first quarter of 2021, thanks to the brand's "home run" of sales. As the company expanded its products across China and Europe in the first quarter of 2021 alone, Tesla produced 180,338 vehicles. 

The leading name in electric vehicles, Tesla is considered a luxury vehicle. Unlike some of the older or more established brands in the luxury sector, however, Tesla's luxury is influenced by its technology.

Cadillac (General Motors)

General Motors own Cadillac, and the luxury is evident in the vehicles they create. Cadillac was acquired by them soon after the company was founded in 1909, and they haven't looked back since. The Escalade and XT4 demonstrate how innovative this company is.

Cadillac Lyriq's upcoming release is reputed to be seen but not heard, except on social media. Cadillac's electric vehicle, the Lyriq, is likely responsible for a large portion of its social media engagements. In August 2020, Cadillac revealed the Lyriq for the first time. This is Cadillac's first foray into the market. 

Lyriq intends to redefine American luxury in the coming years before taking it to the next level. Additionally, Cadillac released a proposal for steering- and even wheel-free vehicles in January 2021. It is also called the "vision of the future of transportation."

Alfa Romeo (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)

Alfa Romeo and Maserati are brands of cars produced by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The Alfa Romeo line began in 1906, but Fiat Chrysler Automobiles only became a subsidiary in 2007. After a long hiatus, Alfa Romeo is selling in the US. The company is working on creating an autonomous electric supercar that will bring the brand back to prominence.

Maserati (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)

Maserati was founded a little later, in 1914, but that didn't make it any less significant. FCA bought the company in 1993, transforming it into a name recognizable after its initial failure. The Gran Turismo and the Levante are two of their more notable successes.

Maserati had a lot to celebrate in 2021, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Bora, one of the brand's most beloved vehicles. At the Red Dot Awards for 2021, the new Maserati MC20 was named "Best of the Best." In July 2020, Maserati released its first hybrid model, the Ghibli, which will keep the unmistakable Maserati sound but bolstered by electric features.

Bugatti (Volkswagen Group)

Bugatti already announced it would continue to expand the Chiron family, and a mysterious prototype spotted on social media last July 2020 left everyone waiting for more information. In the meantime, the USP of this new addition is largely unknown due to Bugatti's commitment to focus on other aspects rather than top speeds. 

Bugatti has been featured in nearly all media in recent months, with other noteworthy headlines referring to the 300th Chiron Hypercar (out of a 500-car production run) and the unveiling of the first Centodieci Hypercar. Bugatti continues to attract attention online and offline with its seemingly impossible better-than-the-last expensive supercars. Bugatti's cars are so expensive that we keep an updated list of the brand's car prices for your convenience.

Lincoln (Ford)

Lincoln is one of the most highly regarded luxury car manufacturers, and Ford owns it. Cadillac and the Lincoln have a shared history, as Ford created Cadillac, but it acquired Lincoln in 1922 following a financial crisis that had nearly bankrupted them.

Rolls-Royce (BMW Group)

Among luxury car brands, Rolls-Royce is often considered to be the pinnacle. The BMW Group owns BMW and Rolls-Royce, so it is no surprise they own both luxury brands. The Rolls-Royce brand has been synonymous with luxury since 1907 when it was named "The Best Car in the World." They understood the value of comfort and reliability, so they have lasted for so long. It has only gotten better since BMW took it over in 1998, and the world has benefited from it.

Since Top Gear announced the Rolls-Royce Ghost as its 2020 Luxury Car of the Year, the brand has enjoyed its reputation. A luxury supercar considered one of the most game-changing releases in the past year, Rolls-Royce - and those interested in the automobile world - probably anticipated such a level of attention due to the Ghost's understated style. 

Over the past few months, the limited edition Phantom Tempus Collection and the 20 orders of the Rolls-Royce Ghost received on the first day of the Bangkok International Motor Show have also drawn attention. It is fair to say that Ghost holds an important position on our list for Rolls-Royce, and for a good reason.

In the first quarter of 2021, Rolls-Royce sold 1,380 vehicles, and its highest first-quarter sales result in the brand's 116-year history (up 62% from the same period in 2020). 

BMW (BMW Group)

In terms of popularity, BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) is one of the top luxury automobile brands worldwide. With the launch of BMW's New Class electric-focused platform, which will arrive in 2025, the brand's move to luxury electric vehicles has certainly helped drive attention to the brand. 

With its highly anticipated new BMW M3 and M4 models and the upcoming all-electric BMW iX, BMW is also staying at the forefront of the luxury car industry. 

Rumor has it that the brand's electric motors will rival Tesla's. The brand's ongoing technological development contributes to its market share consistency. BMW anticipates having 25 all-electric models and plug-in hybrids by 2023.

Mercedes-Benz (Daimler Group)

Mercedes-Benz, the luxury automotive division of The Daimler Group, is the most valuable luxury automotive brand. Thanks to its constant attention to detail and never-faltering technology speed, Mercedes-Benz has maintained its position near the top of the automotive world with a range of battery-powered supercars. 

EQ, Mercedes-Benz's battery-electric car lineup, has been the subject of attention for the past three years, and the lineup's upcoming release has made it a particularly hot topic in recent months. With Mercedes-Benz's Electric Vehicle Architecture, the model is set to be the first model to combine style and substance in a way that only Mercedes-Benz can do. EV production facilities are being added across the US to support the company's expansion efforts.

Porsche (Volkswagen Group)

The Porsche market is on the upswing, with sales higher than 44% from 2020's Q1. Many of these successes are attributable to Porsche's ever-expanding model range, with a heavy focus on the first fully electric Porsche. As of Q1 2020, the Taycan was the only model to have been released. Soon after, the Taycan Cross Turismo would join the lineup. 

Porsche has just announced that the Taycan is now part of its subscription service. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac are among manufacturers that have chosen to discontinue their subscription services - whereas Porsche plans to expand in the United States through 2022.

Volvo (Ford)

It is safe to say that Volvo is doing everything it can to start conversations online, from adding five more models to the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus list to increasing paid parental leave. In addition to increasing its market share in the electric vehicle market, Volvo hopes to boost talent retention rates and recruitment by developing new policies to encourage employee retention. 

According to Volvo's CEO, the company will produce all-electric vehicles by 2030. Volvo's Scandinavian minimalism and electric power inspire a broader dialog about environmentally friendly and safe luxury vehicles with a shift to the luxury vehicle market.

Lamborghini (Volkswagen Group)

Lamborghini reported a record profit of $1.9 billion in 2020, delivering 7,430 cars worldwide. Although the luxury supercar brand was forced to close for two months due to the pandemic, orders for 2021 have already been booked, and its market share has grown in China. Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, hinted that it might introduce electric vehicles in the coming months. 

However, a heavy tech focus has kept Lamborghini's name active on social media, particularly regarding the Huracán EVO's integration of Amazon's Alexa. Originally announced in January 2020, the partnership has spurred many conversations about the transition from physical controls to voice-activated and touch-screen-based solutions in the automotive industry.

Ferrari (Exor)

Ferrari will release its first-ever luxury SUV in 2022, the Purosangue. This was an unexpected move by the company. As of now, most of the attention being drawn to 2021 has been generated by anxious car enthusiasts waiting for the first glimpses of the vehicle. The Ferrari Purosangue was designed to be a rival to the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX and many other brands releasing family-friendly versions of their supercars. 

Some other manufacturers may not have had such a big splash when they released SUVs. Still, Ferrari's came particularly unexpectedly after Design Chief Flavio Manzoni remarked that founder Enzo Ferrari would turn in his grave if Ferrari ever released such a vehicle.

Land Rover (Tata Motors)

As far as new technology is concerned, Land Rover is determined to stay ahead. A recent partnership with commercial spaceline Virgin Galactic and Panasonic's nanoe X virus-busting air conditioner purification technology has helped the British automaker remains one of the most popular luxury brands online. It is a move that aims to reinvigorate the Land Rover brand and appeal to entirely different types of consumers. 

It is this latter benefit that promises to increase Land Rover's appeal further throughout the year, helping to position the brand as a safer option thanks to the enhanced level of internal safety. In addition, the release of Land Rover's flagship luxury SUV will generate a lot of media attention throughout 2021.

Jaguar (Tata Motors)

Jaguar has certainly justified its online position in the last year with a steady stream of announcements and releases that keep it in international conversations. Jaguar's contactless 'predictive touch' touchscreens, its virus-fighting technologies, and its launch of the electric Jaguar I-Pace in India are just headlines from the past few months. 

The news of the 2021 F-Type, a sleek beast that can reach 275 km/h and has stylish interiors, has impressed Jaguar fans worldwide. Additionally, Jaguar introduced its Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo SV, leading social conversations about the real world and the virtual world of cars.

Are you interested in learning more about cars and their maintenance? Head over to the KeepDriving website and check out our blog post on how to get rid of cockroaches from the car.

Founder, Editor-in-Chief Carmelo Pickel is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Keep Driving, with almost 20 years of experience working in the industry. Before founding Keep Driving, Carmelo held leadership roles for over a decade on top automotive dealership corporations across North America, handling various leadership roles in Sales, Marketing, and Incentives.
Copyright © 2024 Keep Driving. All Rights Reserved.
DMCA.com Protection Status