Spin-off cars that spun out

Citroen has high hopes for DS Automobiles and Hyundai has big plans for its new Genesis brand, but motoring history is littered with the wreckage of ambition. Acura (from Honda), Lexus (Toyota) and Infiniti (Nissan) may have inspired some carmakers to launch their own spin-off brands, yet their continuing existence may prompt “survivorship bias” — the very fact that they are still around could lead others down a road of unwarranted optimism. Carmakers might well want to take note of other spin-off brands that eventually spun out.

Autozam

By: Mazda

Years active: 1990-1997

Flush with cash from Japan’s economic boom in the 1980s, Mazda decided to launch not one, but three new brands — Autozam, Efini and Eunos — that would cover various market segments. Autozam was its nameplate for small cars, many of which were sourced from Suzuki. Then, economic realities hit hard: The Japanese bubble popped and took Mazda’s multi-brand ambitions with it.

Merkur

By: Ford

Years active: 1985-1989

As European brands gained prominence in the States during the 1980s, Ford responded by grabbing cars from its German subsidiary (Ford of Europe) and slapping on a “Merkur” badge. Bad move: Fords are anything but upmarket, so unsurprisingly Merkur never put a ding in BMW or Mercedes sales. Dealers slogged along selling one or two cars a month until Ford pulled the plug.

Scion

By: Toyota

Years active: 2003-2016

Is Toyota a brand for uncles? The Japanese giant launched Scion in the United States for people who think so. An affordable range of cars with funky styling was meant to appeal to the youth market, but after peaking in 2006, sales have been in steady decline. Toyota is euthanising Scion next month, showing that you just cannot count on young people these days. LEOW JU-LEN