Not all cars are destined for huge sales. We recall fantastic failures that should never have left the factory production line and trailblazers that were too far ahead of their time
VANDEN PLAS - 1870-2009:
Vanden Plas was a Belgian carriage builder that supplied bodywork to car companies from 1890. UK operations began in 1913, catering for Alvis, Bentley, Daimler and Rolls-Royce. Belgian operations closed in 1934, but the UK business continued. Post-war, it was bought by Austin and produced the Princess, 1100 and Allegro VDPs, besides becoming a range-topping sub-brand for Rovers and Jaguars.
WHO OWNS THE NAME NOW? Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation; Jaguar Land Rover for the US market.
ANY CHANCE OF A REVIVAL? Jaguar one day might bring it back for top-of-therange US models, but it’s unlikely.
CITROEN C-ZERO/PEUGEOT ION - LAUNCHED 2011: These two French EVs are almost identical, and not only to each other: they are both heavily based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Curiously, the Mitsubishi is no longer available, but PSA is continuing with the C-Zero and iOn.
Most models are replaced regularly to sate the appetites of motorists brought up to desire the Next New Thing. But some cars dodge the bullet for years
Company boss Sergio Marchionne has stated that Ferrari will always offer a V12 and it would be "nuts" to put a turbocharger on it; a hybrid system will be used in future models
