That year manufacturers around the world put a remarkable number of new cars on the market. MG Rover was particularly busy as it tried to stave off inevitable bankruptcy, Renault brought out three of the most extraordinary models in its history, and the Big Three North American manufacturers tried, as always, to find new corners of the market to exploit.

And that was just the start of it. Read on for a detailed explanation of why 2001 was such a bumper year: