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Automotive history

For more than 130 years, the car has dominated almost every aspect of our lives. Automotive history has become global history. Whether it’s economics, culture, politics or even religion, cars and the automotive industry have driven our society.

The automotive industry played a key role in shaping the 20th century, and will do so again in the 21st century.

The Car Expert looks at some of the key moments, men (and women!), manufacturers and models from automotive history.

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Why do we drive on the left-hand side of the road?

Automotive history 12 May 2021

Why do some countries drive on the left side of the road and others on the right? We explore the curious origins of this road traffic rule.

A quick history of the BMW M3

Automotive history 19 March 2021

The BMW M3 nameplate is one of the most famous in performance car circles. We dive into the history of both the M3 and M4 models.

Six SUV pioneers that blazed the trail for today

Automotive history 3 February 2019

How did the modern SUV come to be? We list the six crucial vehicles that (at least in Europe) helped bring the crossover into the mainstream.

Why Aston Martin had to change – and is still changing…

Automotive history 21 November 2018

Since becoming Aston Martin CEO in 2014 Andy Palmer has tranformed the brand from loss-maker to profit, with new desirable cars and much more to come.

Driving BMW’s greatest roadsters

Automotive history 18 October 2018

With the all-new BMW Z4 on its way, we take a look back at – and have a drive of – some of its predecessors, from the 327 to the most recent Z4.

A short history of Honda Type R

Automotive history 2 July 2017

The launch of a new Honda Civic Type R this month continues a glorious history of performance cars from the Japanese brand.

Nissan Qashqai – Ten years on

Automotive history 2 June 2017

A decade after the Nissan Qashqai went on sale, not even the most optimistic prophet could have expected the dramatic way this car changed the market.

Top ten blink-&-you-miss-them cars

Automotive history 20 May 2017

Developing a new car is a very expensive business, so you would think manufacturers would do all they could to make sure they get it right. Sadly not...

50 years on from Bluebird’s last run

Automotive history 4 January 2017

It is now 50 years since Donald Campbell died on Coniston Water in his Bluebird boat, ending a brave quest for Land and Water world speed records.

A short history of McLaren – not featuring F1 cars…

8 November 2016

Supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive has achieved a great deal in the six years since it was created, and the pace is only getting faster...

Insight – 75 years on, Jeep looks forward

Automotive history 18 October 2016

Jeep was rescued by Fiat in 2009 and the original 4x4 brand is now very much on the up, halfway through an ambitious five-year growth plan.

Insight: 45 years on, Audi is still all about Technik

27 July 2016

Three new model launches show Audi's technology-based slogan is still highly relevant today.

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