Posted on 11/27/2021 9:23:15 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Over the automotive industry’s 100+ year history, companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercedes-Benz have produced some truly iconic cars.
Whether they’re designed for excitement, luxury, or just simple transportation, Visual Capitalist's Marcus Lu notes that these vehicles offer a set of features that make them highly desirable to consumers. The most successful models will undergo numerous revisions over time, sometimes sticking around for many decades.
To learn more, this graphic from Alan’s Factory Outlet lists the 35 vehicles with the longest production runs of all time. Here are the top 10 below.
As we can see, successful models come in many shapes and sizes, and from a variety of manufacturers. Below, we’ll take a deeper dive to learn more about what makes these cars special.
Ford began selling its first pickup truck in 1925, which was essentially a Model T with a flatbed in the rear. This layout was very useful because it enabled people to transport cargo, raw materials, and other items with relative ease.
Then, in 1948, Ford introduced the F-series pickup. The truck became one of Ford’s most well-known and profitable models, and is currently in its 14th generation.
While the fundamental shape of the F-series hasn’t changed, Ford’s best-selling model owes much of its success to its constant innovation and technological improvements.
In 2015, the F-150 became the first fullsize pickup to feature an all-aluminum body. This reduced the truck’s weight by as much as 500 pounds, resulting in better fuel economy and driving dynamics.
Ford is also credited with bringing turbocharged engines into the mainstream (within the pickup segment). This first-mover advantage gave the F-Series a competitive edge in terms of fuel efficiency and torque.
First introduced in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette is regarded as America’s most iconic sports car. It has a reputation for offering similar performance as its more expensive foreign rivals, and combines unique styling elements with a successful motorsport background.
For most of its history, the Corvette was a rear-wheel drive coupe with a V-8 engine placed in the front. It also featured pop-up headlights for several generations, but the design was eventually phased out due to stricter regulations.
Chevrolet drastically changed the formula of the Corvette for its eighth generation, which launched in 2020. The engine is no longer in the front of the car, but instead, placed directly behind the occupants.
This mid-engine layout results in a Corvette with significantly different proportions than its predecessors. Because a bulk of the car’s weight is now located more centrally, the C8 should (in theory) offer better traction and balance.
Few cars have undergone such large changes to their fundamental design philosophy, but the move appears to have worked—production is far from meeting demand.
The S-Class from Mercedes is widely recognized as the global benchmark for full-size luxury sedans. Since its introduction in the 1950s, the S-Class has continuously introduced new innovations that improve comfort and safety.
The 1959 S-Class (dubbed W111) was the first production car with crumple zones front and rear. Crumple zones are structural elements that absorb the impact of a collision.
The 1978 S-Class (W116) introduced electronic anti-lock brakes (ABS). This system prevents tires from locking up under sudden braking and is included on every modern car.
The 1991 S-Class (W140) was the first car to feature double-glazed windows, which improves insulation while reducing road noise.
The 2021 S-Class (W223) introduced the world’s first rear-seat airbag.
One of the most important aspects of a luxury car is its interior, and the S-class has come a long way since its first iteration.
The interior of the latest S-Class features active ambient lighting that can visually reinforce any warnings generated by the car’s driving assistance systems. The cabin also features MBUX Interior Assist, which can read motion commands (such as hand movements) by the driver.
The car’s center console is dominated by a single large screen—a trend that was first introduced by the Tesla Model S.
Global governments have announced a ban on the sale of new gasoline cars by as early as 2030. This foreshadows a great shift towards battery power and gives automakers the opportunity to reimagine their most iconic models.
For example, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-electric SUV that borrows both the name and styling of the brand’s famous pony car. The company also recently launched an electric version of the F-150, called the F-150 Lightning.
German brands are taking a different approach by creating a completely new range for their EV models. This includes the Audi e-tron, BMW i, and Mercedes EQ lineups. This implies that their existing gasoline-powered models could be coming to an end.
Camaro had production gap between 02 - 10.
Ford Mustang is going to be an SUV?
Made from 1984-2001.
Good idea! Stop building reliable, efficient, popular gas or Diesels and replace them with electric vehicles that nobody wants. This will not end well. They can have my Dodge Ram Diesel when they pry it from my bloody fingers!
That’s OK, it’s a democrat! Regular rules don’t apply
As Chevrolet did with the Cavalier. We owned two. Wore them out. They stopped making affordable cars like the Cruze, too. No way will we ever be able to buy those monstrous pickups sold by any of the BIG Three or an electric vehicle.
The list I want is
A list of a single body styles with very few changes.
Certainly your Jeep is near the top,
Landrover series 2 had a long run
VW bug was made until 2003
some harley-davidsons were made for a long time
That should be longest-running model NAMES, since the vehicles themselves changed drastically over the years! Radically different bodies, different interiors, different powertrains. . . . .
I would nominate the VW beetle as running the longest without anything more than incremental improvements.
Model T?
Model A?
Yeah, this list makes no sense.
The G class Mercedes was (is) a German built derivation of the Land Rover defender. Yet purports to have a longer run.
I think it’s solely bc the defender used to be named a 90 or 110 and not defender until relatively recently.
I have, for the record, at home in Israel a defender left behind by either the British or Egyptians, don’t know. But it has been solid runner for ( I believe) over 60 years and is my daily driver in Israel.
I can attest to at least 50 years of its life.
Brought me home from the hospital as a baby.
Tiny 4 cylinder diesel.
A 1946 CJ and a 2020 Wrangler have far more in common than a 1935 Suburban and its modern counterpart.
List is full of inaccuracies.
Wrangler had a gap in 96 is the one I know of, others have pointed out more.
Already is, the “Mustang Mach-E”.
Um, no, the G-wagen is not an LR derivative.
My husband bought a Chevrolet pick up. Shopped around, waited till year end sales, and chewed them down on the price.
Runs like a champ with over 250k miles on the odometer.
So, they used the same name for years but most are nothing like the original.
Hmmmm, a fake Mustang that runs on 'lectricity or a naturally aspirated GT350R?
Tough choice, but we made the correct one if for nothing else but the flat plane crank and its pleasing exhaust note.
An electric Mustang, such blasphemy to the brand!
Took a ride in a new vette the other day and went MEH. Not bad torque but definitely not the baddest I’ve rode in. A 72 Cougar XR7 with a 351C built by Holman-Moody still holds the top spot.
Electric cars are in big demand. A Tesla production car just ran a 8 second quarter mile stock. NHRA Pro Stock cars were just able to do that not long ago.
It has 400+ mile range and can go 120 miles on a 15 minute charge
Tesla is also claiming the batteries will last 15 years
Sales of the Mach-E were doing well for a short while but now it’s basically fallen off a cliff.
Also, they’ve canned the GT350 and replaced it with the Mach 1. Not least of which due to engine issues and lack of sales.
That said, the Mach-E is blasphemy. They should have called it the Futura instead of a Mustang.
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