Did you know that motor companies including Nissan, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, and Genesis are going bankrupt?

Imagine for a moment that the company that manufactured the car you use is on the verge of collapse, and your car dealer or the relevant company has not told you anything about it. Currently, sales of some car companies are rapidly declining, and dealers are struggling intensely.

Due to a small product lineup and inability to face competition, car owners are helpless as the value of their vehicles is also decreasing day by day. This article focuses on 06 major car brands on the verge of collapse due to famous financial frauds, failed business decisions, or defeat in market competition. 

The most special thing here is that the brand ranked first on this list is in a severe crisis but still reports high sales.

6) Genesis 

Ranked sixth on the list is the Genesis brand, the luxury division created by the Hyundai Group to compete with giants like BMW and Mercedes. Although their primary goal was to offer German-level luxury at a lower price, buyers still see it as an "expensive dressed Hyundai" vehicle. In the luxury car market, buyers seek status, not low prices.

Although 75,000 units were sold in America last year, it is a very small figure compared to BMW's 371,000 and Lexus's 346,000 sales. Consumer confidence has been damaged due to numerous technical issues such as fuel pump defects and sudden power loss in electric vehicles (EVs), and there is a risk of this brand disappearing from the market in the future. 

5) Jaguar 

Ranked fifth is the Jaguar brand, which was once a symbol of British luxury. But today, Jaguar is merely a shadow of its past glory. 

Hasty decisions to switch to full electric vehicles (EVs) have created a product vacuum, and the absence of new EV models until 2026 is a serious problem. Their controversial rebrand, which removed the traditional 'leaping cat' logo, was severely criticized, destroying years of built-up image overnight. Jaguar vehicles, which are very low in reliability (29th out of 32 brands), are also seeing their resale value rapidly decline. 

4) Mitsubishi 

Fourth place goes to the Mitsubishi brand, which once conquered rally tracks and roads worldwide. This brand, which gifted the world unique models like the Lancer Evolution and Montero, is now fighting for survival. In 2002, they sold 345,000 vehicles in America, but 20 years later, this has dropped to 86,000 units, with new tariff impositions further worsening the situation. Consumer confidence was shattered by past fraudulent activities such as concealing mechanical defects and altering fuel data. Had Nissan not intervened and taken control, the Mitsubishi name might have faded away much earlier. 

3) Infiniti 

Third place goes to Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand. This brand, which attracted buyers expecting BMW-like performance and Japanese reliability, has now lost its identity. Although 153,000 units were sold in America in 2017, this decreased to 58,000 by 2024. Due to plummeting sales, they have had to close independent showrooms and retreat to Nissan dealerships. The Infiniti brand is rapidly exiting the market due to a shift away from sporty performance towards average models, as well as technical issues related to gear systems and engines. 

2) Chrysler 

Second place goes to Chrysler, a giant in American automotive history. Once a favorite brand among American families, Chrysler's sales have fallen by approximately 80% since 2005. Their popular Chrysler 300 model has ceased production, and only a few limited models like the Pacifica remain in the market. While competing companies moved forward with new technology, Chrysler's reliance on old technology led to its downfall. The head of the Stellantis group has warned that unprofitable brands could disappear. Confirming this, their anticipated new electric vehicle project was also recently canceled. 

1) Nissan 

The first place on this list is a name that surprises many; it is the world-renowned Nissan brand. Although sales figures appear healthy on paper (865,000 units in America), the company is facing a severe internal crisis. Due to a global loss of $4.5 billion and a 90% drop in operating profit, Nissan has had to lay off nearly 20,000 employees and close factories. The company is in serious danger due to factors such as the financial irregularities of former CEO Carlos Ghosn and the failed attempt to merge with Honda. 

According to internal sources, if a major investor is not found, the company has only a short period of about 12-14 months left to survive. It is important to remember that when a car manufacturer fights for survival, the first to pay the price is not the company, but the customers who bought those cars.