From looms to fields, these 9 companies have navigated diverse paths before etching their names in automotive history.
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Established by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937, the company initially focused on producing automatic looms. It wasn’t until later that the company shifted its focus to automotive manufacturing.
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Peugeot, one of the oldest automotive manufacturers in the world, started as a family-run business in the 19th century, producing coffee mills and bicycles. In 1889, Armand Peugeot, inspired by the emerging automotive industry, built the company’s first steam-powered car.
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Mazda’s journey began in 1920 with the establishment of Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. Initially, the company focused on cork production, diversifying into machine tools and, interestingly, three-wheeled trucks.
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Volvo, synonymous with safety in the automotive world, had its roots in the manufacturing of ball bearings. Founded in 1927, the company initially supplied bearings to the burgeoning Swedish automotive industry
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Before revolutionising the world of sports cars, Lamborghini’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, made a mark in the agricultural machinery industry. In 1948, he founded Lamborghini Trattori, gaining acclaim for high-performance tractors.
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Before making a mark in the automotive industry, Jaguar had a different beginning. Founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, the British company initially specialised in manufacturing motorcycle sidecars.
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Founded in 1870, Mitsubishi initially focused on shipbuilding and coal mining. It wasn’t until 1917 that the company diversified into automobile manufacturing.
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Bruce McLaren, a skilled racing driver, established the McLaren Racing team, which achieved significant success in Formula 1. It wasn’t until the 1990s that McLaren expanded into road car production.
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In the early years, Soichiro Honda directed his efforts towards producing high-quality piston rings for Toyota. The success in the motorcycle industry served as a springboard, propelling Honda into the automotive spotlight in the 1960s.
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