5 Iconic Automaker Rivalries That Shaped The Future Of Automobiles

Rivalry adds tension, aggression, and hunger to one’s conquest and when successful, immense pride is unparalleled. Much like humans, a few automakers have a fierce rivalry with others. While rivalries between racecar drivers are famous like Hunt and Lauda, Senna and Prost, and Hamilton and Verstappen, the rivalry between automakers goes deeper. Some of the rivalries include Ferrari and Ford, Mitsubishi and Subaru, and Bentley and Rolls Royce:

A rivalry that started on the administrative side culminated in years of intense competition and one of the best races at 24 Hours of Le Mans. The rivalry began when Ford was looking for a way to get into motorsports but not investing a ton load of cash and Enzo Ferrari was looking to sell stakes of Ferrari. Henry Ford II sent a few executives to Maranello to acquire a 90% stake in Ferrari which would also give them power over Ferrari’s race division. Little did Henry Ford II know that Ferrari had only set up a meeting with his executives to get a competitive bid from Fiat in which Enzo succeeded.

Following the insult, Henry Ford II allocated funds and collaborated with Caroll Shelby and Ken Miles to create the fastest car which took the shape of the Ford GT40. Ford competed in the Le Mans for a couple of years before winning the Le Mans, conquering all three positions on the podium in 1966.

Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi and Subaru are not behind when it comes to their American and European counterparts. While both companies made cars ranging from SUVs, and compact cars as well as sports cars, the real rivalry took shape in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Mitsubishi won four WRC titles from 1996 to 1999 with its Lancer Evolution while Subaru won three titles with the WRX lineup in 1995, 2001 and 2003.

Even though Mitsubishi has won more titles, fans of the WRC have more fond memories of the Subaru.

All three German automakers have a rivalry against each other, operating in the same segment. While there is no bitter rivalry among themselves, the brands often get creative with their advertisements to belittle the other two.

Throughout the years, the brands have established themselves as symbols of quality and luxury within the industry. BMW has a history of building cars that provide an exciting driving experience, while Audi is known for its technological innovation and performance. Mercedes, on the other hand, has been known for its uber-luxury, with royal families, celebrities and influencers using its cars.

Also Read: Caterham Launches Limited-Edition Seven CSR Twenty At £79,995 To Celebrate 20 Years

This rivalry changed the future of sports cars and hypercars as we know it. Ferrucio Lamborghini used to make tractors for a living, some of the best. However, he was a car enthusiast at heart and loved driving his Ferrari 250. However, he often complained about the durability of the clutch of the car. He went to Enzo Ferrari making a proposition that Lamborghini and Ferrari join hands to make the best sports cars. Ferrari, known for being egoistic, took it as an insult and told Lamborghini to go back to his farms and make tractors.

The result of this insult, Lamborghini made a car that almost every modern supercar is based on, the first rear mid-engined supercar Lamborghini Muira powered by a 4.0L V12 engine producing 345.2 bhp and 376.9 Nm of torque. Following this, Lamborghini continued to build their legacy by introducing models like the Countach, Diablo, Gallardo, Murcielago, Aventador, Huracan, Urus, and Revuelto.

Rolls Royce owned Bentley for approximately 7 decades before the two of them split in 1998. The reason that was cited for the split was irreconcilable differences in management. Following the split, Rolls Royce was taken under the umbrella of BMW. BMW’s German engineering helped Rolls Royce preserve its legacy while maintaining its identity, propelling it to success. On the other hand, another German automaker Volkswagen took Bentley under its wing. The renaissance of Bentley created a strong contender in the ultra-luxury car space.