Jeep The Jeep Story Jeep began as the Willys-Overland Company in 1908. In 1919 Walter Chrysler became vice president to assist in the reorganization of the company. Chrysler left in 1921 to eventually found the Chrysler Corporation. In 1963 the company was purchased by Henry Kaiser, renamed Kaiser-Jeep, and seven years later it became the Jeep division of American Motors. In 1987 Chrysler acquired American Motors, including Jeep. In 1998, with the merger of Chrysler Corporation and Daimler-Benz AG, Jeep became a division of DaimlerChrysler AG. There are currently three different Jeep sport-utility model lines available in Canada.
Kia The Kia Story Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia Motors got its start building bicycle parts. In 1961 Kia began building motorcycles, and by 1971 four-wheel trucks were in production. Kia Motor of Canada was established in 1999. Kia, now part of the Hyundai Group, is the 17th largest automaker in the world.
Land Rover The Land Rover Story The first production Land Rover was built in England and introduced in 1948 at the Amsterdam Auto Show. Land Rover Canada was established in 1990. In 1994 Land Rover became part of BMW AG. The company was then sold to the Ford Motor Company in the first part of 2000. Land Rovers are sold through approximately 15 dealerships in Canada.
Lexus The Lexus Story Toyota Canada launched its Lexus luxury division in 1991 with the introduction of the LS 400 and ES 250 sedans. Lexus now markets eight models, including two SUVs, through 22 dealerships nationwide.
Lincoln The Lincoln Story Henry Leland produced the first Lincolns in 1920. Two years later, the Lincoln Motor Company was purchased by Henry and Edsel Ford, becoming the Ford Motor Company's luxury marque. In 1945 Lincoln-Mercury was established as a division of the Ford Motor Company. Currently there are four Lincoln models sold through Ford-Lincoln dealerships nationwide.
Mazda The Mazda Story Founded in 1920 as a cork manufacturer, Mazda now sells cars and trucks in more than 120 countries. In 1970 Mazda entered the North American market, and today more than one-third of Mazda vehicles sold on this continent are also produced there. Mazda automobiles are sold through 150 dealerships in Canada.
Mercedes-Benz The Mercedes-Benz Story Mercedes-Benz began in 1886 when Karl Benz was granted a patent for the world's first motor car. In 1901 Daimler acquired the rights to the name Mercedes. In 1926 Daimler and Benz merged, and since 1989 Mercedes-Benz has been in charge of all motor vehicle business within the Daimler-Benz group. In 1998 Daimler-Benz AG merged with Chrysler Corporation to form DaimlerChrysler, the fifth-largest automobile manufacturer in the world. Mercedes-Benz models are now sold in over 170 countries, with 55 dealerships established in Canada.