Geographic firsts · 1886
Production already underway
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Timeline
Vehicle chronology
The automobile,
organized by era.
Explore more than a century of vehicle history—from the first practical machines to the concepts defining what comes next.
Full timeline04 eras
1886
The beginning of the motor age
958 published marques with a recorded founded year.
Browse the timeline
Four defining eras
Select an era to move directly to its year-by-year chronology.
011886 — 1939
The pioneering age
Antique
Hand-built machines and fearless engineering establish the foundations of the automobile.
View years
021940 — 1989
The iconic age
Classic
Post-war optimism, motorsport innovation, and enduring silhouettes define a celebrated period.
View years
031990 — 2021
The digital age
Modern
Performance, electronics, global platforms, and electrification transform the everyday vehicle.
View years
042022 — 2025
The experimental age
Concept
Prototypes, limited studies, and forward-looking ideas preview the next chapter of mobility.
View years
Year by year
Every marque, in time.
Founded years, marques, emblems, and countries are read directly from the Vehicleref archive. The chronology builds from the earliest entries to the newest.
Archive volume · bar width reflects vehicle records per year · log scale
011886 — 1939The pioneering age
Antique
Global makes introduced through 1886
Hand-built machines and fearless engineering establish the foundations of the automobile.
New generation · 1880–1889
The 1880s arrive.
0 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1903 Ford Model A 1.65 Manual, 2-speed
Browse generation1880's
Founded in 1887
2 marques · 2 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
France1 marque
United Kingdom1 marque
New generation · 1890–1899
The 1890s arrive.
20 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1903 Ford Model A 1.65 Manual, 2-speed
Browse generation1890's
Founded in 1893
1 marque · 1 country · 1 region
01
Americas
United States1 marque
Founded in 1895
3 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Czech Republic2 marques
Geographic firsts · 1896
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1896
11 marques · 5 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
03
Europe
Founded in 1897
5 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States3 marques
02
Europe
Czech Republic1 marque
France1 marque
Founded in 1898
6 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Germany2 marques
United Kingdom3 marques
Geographic firsts · 1899
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1899
16 marques · 6 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
New generation · 1900–1909
The 1900s arrive.
380 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1903 Ford Model A 1.65 Manual, 2-speed
Browse generation1900's
Geographic firsts · 1901
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1901
16 marques · 5 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1902
13 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1903
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1903
13 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Founded in 1906
10 marques · 5 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Founded in 1907
12 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Czech Republic1 marque
United Kingdom3 marques
Founded in 1909
12 marques · 6 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
03
Europe
New generation · 1910–1919
The 1910s arrive.
482 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1910 Buick Model 41 5.2 Manual, 3-speed
Browse generation1910's
Founded in 1910
4 marques · 3 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1912
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1912
9 marques · 6 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
Argentina1 marque
United States3 marques
02
Europe
Founded in 1913
7 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
France1 marque
United Kingdom1 marque
Founded in 1914
4 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Founded in 1915
5 marques · 5 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Founded in 1917
2 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1919
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1919
11 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Europe
New generation · 1920–1929
The 1920s arrive.
1,128 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1920 Cadillac Type 51 Sedan 5.2 V8 Manual, 3-speed
Browse generation1920's
Geographic firsts · 1921
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1922
7 marques · 5 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Founded in 1923
3 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Europe
Founded in 1925
4 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1926
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1926
10 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States3 marques
02
Europe
Founded in 1927
4 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Founded in 1928
4 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Europe
Germany1 marque
Netherlands1 marque
Founded in 1929
9 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
New generation · 1930–1939
The 1930s arrive.
2,536 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1930 Chevrolet Universal 3.2 Manual
Browse generation1930's
Founded in 1930
3 marques · 3 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
Founded in 1933
9 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Asia
03
Europe
Founded in 1934
5 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
02
Europe
France1 marque
United Kingdom2 marques
Geographic firsts · 1935
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1935
5 marques · 4 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1936
2 marques · 1 country · 1 region
01
Europe
United Kingdom2 marques
Geographic firsts · 1937
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1938
1 marque · 1 country · 1 region
01
Americas
United States1 marque
021940 — 1989The iconic age
Classic
Global makes introduced through 1940
Post-war optimism, motorsport innovation, and enduring silhouettes define a celebrated period.
New generation · 1940–1949
The 1940s arrive.
1,759 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1940 Chevrolet Light Delivery Model KC Suburban Carryall 3.5 Manual
Browse generation40's
Founded in 1942
5 marques · 5 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
Founded in 1943
2 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1946
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 1948
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1948
8 marques · 6 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
India2 marques
02
Europe
New generation · 1950–1959
The 1950s arrive.
5,390 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1950 Buick Super Convertible 4.3 Automatic
Browse generation50's
Founded in 1950
12 marques · 8 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 1951
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1952
5 marques · 5 countries · 3 regions
01
Asia
02
Europe
03
Oceania
Founded in 1954
6 marques · 4 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Asia
South Korea1 marque
03
Europe
Spain1 marque
United Kingdom2 marques
Geographic firsts · 1955
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1955
12 marques · 10 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Asia
03
Europe
France2 marques
Germany2 marques
Hungary1 marque
Italy1 marque
Netherlands1 marque
Ukraine1 marque
United Kingdom1 marque
Founded in 1956
4 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
Argentina1 marque
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Spain1 marque
United Kingdom1 marque
New generation · 1960–1969
The 1960s arrive.
9,640 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1960 Chevrolet Suburban C10 Suburban Carryall
Browse generation60's
Geographic firsts · 1960
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1960
4 marques · 3 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1963
5 marques · 4 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Founded in 1964
11 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 1966
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1967
9 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 1968
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1968
9 marques · 8 countries · 4 regions
New generation · 1970–1979
The 1970s arrive.
9,997 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Manual
Browse generation70's
Founded in 1970
4 marques · 4 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1971
8 marques · 6 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Europe
Founded in 1973
3 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
02
Europe
United Kingdom2 marques
Founded in 1974
3 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
Canada1 marque
United States1 marque
02
Europe
United Kingdom1 marque
Geographic firsts · 1976
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 1977
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1977
5 marques · 5 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
Brazil1 marque
United States1 marque
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1978
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1978
5 marques · 5 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1979
3 marques · 3 countries · 2 regions
01
Americas
02
Europe
Netherlands1 marque
Switzerland1 marque
New generation · 1980–1989
The 1980s arrive.
9,029 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1980 Ferrari Concept
Browse generation80's
Founded in 1980
3 marques · 2 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
France2 marques
United Kingdom1 marque
Founded in 1982
3 marques · 2 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
Germany1 marque
United Kingdom2 marques
Founded in 1983
6 marques · 6 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 1985
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 1986
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1986
6 marques · 6 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1987
9 marques · 8 countries · 4 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
03
Europe
04
Oceania
031990 — 2021The digital age
Modern
Global makes introduced through 1990
Performance, electronics, global platforms, and electrification transform the everyday vehicle.
New generation · 1990–1999
The 1990s arrive.
10,353 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 1990 Jaguar XJS XJR-S Hydra-Matic, 3-speed
Browse generation1990's
Geographic firsts · 1990
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1990
4 marques · 3 countries · 1 region
01
Europe
Geographic firsts · 1991
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1991
8 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1992
13 marques · 8 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
Canada1 marque
United States2 marques
02
Asia
03
Europe
Founded in 1994
7 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
Founded in 1995
6 marques · 5 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
Brazil1 marque
United States2 marques
02
Asia
03
Europe
United Kingdom1 marque
Geographic firsts · 1998
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 1998
6 marques · 6 countries · 3 regions
New generation · 2000–2009
The 2000s arrive.
15,678 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 2000 Hennessey Viper Venom 800 Twin Turbo 8.0 V10 Manual
Browse generation2000's
Geographic firsts · 2000
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2000
3 marques · 2 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
China2 marques
02
Europe
Founded in 2001
7 marques · 6 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 2002
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2002
6 marques · 4 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 2003
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 2005
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2007
8 marques · 5 countries · 4 regions
Geographic firsts · 2008
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2008
15 marques · 10 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
China2 marques
South Korea1 marque
03
Europe
Germany1 marque
Italy1 marque
Netherlands1 marque
Poland1 marque
Switzerland1 marque
United Kingdom2 marques
New generation · 2010–2019
The 2010s arrive.
21,526 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 2010 Porsche 911 Motorsport Hybrid
Browse generation2010's
Geographic firsts · 2010
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2010
22 marques · 13 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
03
Europe
Geographic firsts · 2011
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 2012
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2012
10 marques · 7 countries · 4 regions
01
Americas
United States2 marques
02
Asia
03
Europe
04
Middle East
United Arab Emirates1 marque
Geographic firsts · 2013
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2013
13 marques · 5 countries · 4 regions
01
Americas
United States1 marque
02
Asia
03
Europe
Switzerland1 marque
United Kingdom3 marques
04
Middle East
United Arab Emirates1 marque
Geographic firsts · 2014
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 2015
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2015
17 marques · 11 countries · 4 regions
01
Americas
02
Asia
03
Europe
04
Africa
South Africa1 marque
Geographic firsts · 2017
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2017
14 marques · 8 countries · 2 regions
01
Asia
02
Europe
Geographic firsts · 2018
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Geographic firsts · 2019
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2019
13 marques · 7 countries · 3 regions
01
Americas
United States3 marques
02
Asia
03
Europe
New generation · 2020–2021
The 2020s arrive.
4,018 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 2020 Suzuki Swift Hybrid
Browse generation2020's
Geographic firsts · 2020
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
042022 — 2025The experimental age
Concept
Global makes introduced through 2022
Prototypes, limited studies, and forward-looking ideas preview the next chapter of mobility.
New generation · 2020–2025
The 2020s arrive.
6,210 vehicle records carry this generation through the Vehicleref archive.
Archive image: 2022 Volkswagen Jetta (NA)
Browse generation2020's
Founded in 2023
10 marques · 6 countries · 3 regions
Geographic firsts · 2025
The map of motoring expands
First vehicle year recorded in the Vehicleref archive.
Founded in 2025
5 marques · 3 countries · 3 regions
