11 Automakers That Took Big Risks And Failed Miserably
The world of car manufacturing is a high-stakes gamble—one where bold risks can lead to legendary success or colossal failure. Some automakers have dared to push boundaries, introducing cars that were supposed to be revolutionary, game-changing, or simply unlike anything else.
Instead, they ended up burning rubber… and not in a good way. From over-ambitious ideas to mismanaged finances and cars that just didn’t click with buyers, these 11 automakers learned the hard way that not every risk pays off.
1. DeLorean Motor Company
Few cars scream “ahead of their time” like the DeLorean. With gull-wing doors, a futuristic stainless steel body, and a bold vision, John DeLorean wanted to create something truly iconic. And in a way, he did—just not how he planned.
Production delays, sky-high costs, questionable quality, and legal trouble put the brakes on the company. By the time “Back to the Future” made it famous, the company was already history. The DeLorean remains a pop culture legend, but as a business? Total crash-and-burn.
2. Tucker Corporation
Preston Tucker had a bold vision: build a car that was safer, faster, and way ahead of its time. The 1948 Tucker Sedan came loaded with innovations—a rear engine, a pop-out windshield, and a third headlight that turned with the steering wheel.
So, what went wrong? Lawsuits, bad press, and powerful industry rivals who saw Tucker as a threat. With just 51 cars built, the dream was over before it even began. A true case of “what could have been.”
3. Bricklin SV-1
Malcolm Bricklin set out to change the sports car world with the SV-1—a car that focused on safety but still packed performance. The idea? Impact-absorbing bumpers, gull-wing doors, and a futuristic look.
The reality? Terrible quality control, unreliable doors, and a price tag that made buyers think twice. After just two years, the SV-1 went extinct. The lesson? You can’t sell a “safety sports car” if it’s neither safe nor sporty.
4. Saab Automobile
Saab was quirky, innovative, and full of personality. From turbocharged engines to aircraft-inspired designs, the Swedish brand had a loyal fan base. But cool engineering doesn’t always equal financial success.
After ownership changes, financial struggles, and a lack of direction, Saab ran out of fuel in 2011. Proof that even the most creative brands need solid business decisions to survive.
5. American Motors Corporation (AMC)
AMC gave us some of the weirdest, most memorable cars ever—from the Gremlin to the Pacer. But being the little guy in an industry dominated by giants is no easy feat.
They held on longer than most expected, but by 1987, Chrysler absorbed them, and the brand disappeared. AMC’s story proves that creativity alone won’t save you if you can’t compete financially.
6. Yugo
The Yugo was the cheapest car in America, and… well, you got what you paid for. This Yugoslavian import promised affordability, but it quickly gained a reputation for breaking down, poor reliability, and general awfulness.
Despite strong initial sales, it became the butt of car jokes and vanished from the U.S. market. The takeaway? Being the cheapest car doesn’t help if people are too afraid to drive it.
7. Fisker Automotive
Henrik Fisker had a brilliant idea: an electric luxury car before Tesla took over the world. But production delays, battery failures, and bad luck (like Hurricane Sandy destroying a shipment of cars) led to bankruptcy in 2013.
The Fisker Karma looked amazing—but when your car can’t even start, that’s a problem.
8. Saturn Corporation
When General Motors launched Saturn in the 1980s, it was meant to be a breath of fresh air in the car-buying experience. With no-haggle pricing, a customer-first approach, and polymer body panels that resisted dents, it quickly won over loyal fans. But the problem? GM didn’t give Saturn the innovation and investment it needed to grow.
As competition from imports heated up, Saturn failed to keep pace. New models were underwhelming, and without a clear identity or fresh designs, the brand slowly faded into irrelevance. By 2010, GM officially pulled the plug, and what was once a revolutionary idea became just another failed experiment in the auto world.
9. Daewoo Motors
In the 1990s, Daewoo Motors had ambitious plans—they wanted to take on the world. With affordable cars and aggressive expansion, they quickly built a presence in markets across Europe, North America, and beyond. At first, it seemed like they were onto something big, but behind the scenes, the financials were a disaster.
The Asian financial crisis of the late ‘90s sent Daewoo into a tailspin, revealing mountains of debt and poor management decisions. Unable to recover, the company collapsed in 2001 and was eventually absorbed by General Motors. Today, Daewoo is just another name lost to history, serving as a cautionary tale that expanding too fast without stability can be a fatal mistake.
10. Vector Motors
Vector Motors was supposed to be America’s answer to Ferrari and Lamborghini, offering a high-tech, ultra-fast supercar built for speed demons. Founded by Gerald Wiegert, the company’s vision was clear: blend aerospace technology with raw horsepower. The result? The Vector W8, a futuristic beast with an aircraft-inspired interior and a 625-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
Sounds cool, right? Except almost nobody bought one. Production delays, a price tag that rivaled the best European supercars, and constant financial trouble meant that only a handful of Vectors were ever built. After a series of failed comebacks and attempted revivals, Vector is now a forgotten name, remembered only by hardcore car enthusiasts who still dream of what could have been.
11. Coda Automotive
Coda Automotive entered the electric vehicle market at a time when EVs were still struggling to gain mainstream acceptance. But instead of creating something sleek, stylish, or innovative, they gave the world a dull, uninspiring sedan that looked like a generic rental car. Add in a high price tag, weak performance, and limited range, and it’s no surprise that nobody wanted one.
Despite raising millions in investment, Coda only sold around 100 cars before going bankrupt in 2013. To make matters worse, battery recalls and quality issues cemented its fate as one of the biggest EV flops ever. While companies like Tesla soared, Coda faded into obscurity, proving that in the world of electric cars, being boring is just as bad as being bad.