Though we could come from totally different areas around the globe, there may be one factor we will at all times agree on collectively, and that’s the proven fact that we love automobiles. Large automobiles, small automobiles, even those that appear like they have been taken out of an episode of the Jetsons (We’re you Chevrolet SSR).
However, all jokes apart, automobiles are our ardour, we love them, we love driving them and we love speaking about them. So, in honor of our love for the auto business we determined to speak a few sure area of interest of automotive you might not be as accustomed to as you’d suppose.
Spanish Automotive Manufacturers
We’re speaking about Spanish automotive manufacturers and we’re not stopping right here. We’re going to delve deep proper into a number of the greatest automotive manufacturers on this planet, and when you could marvel how can that be when we now have firms like BMW and Audi ruling the world, properly let’s simply say that it’s not at all times concerning the numbers, however extra so concerning the high quality of the product as properly.
Now, we’re not right here to step on any toes, some German automotive manufacturers have actually earned their place on the high, however for immediately we determined to stay to some lesser-known manufacturers, coming straight from Spain, that we personally consider to be criminally underrated.
They’re on par with the large boys, and everyone knows it. So, with out additional ado, let’s dive proper into the Spanish automotive manufacturers that impressed us to create this weblog publish within the first place.
SEAT
Seat brand
- Years: 1950 – Current
- Headquarters: Martorell, Catalonia, Spain
- Mum or dad Firm: Volkswagen Group
- Web site: https://www.seat.com/
Let’s begin off with essentially the most well-known of the bunch, and that’s clearly none aside from SEAT themselves.
They’ve actually established themselves as competitors for the best vehicle firms on the market to at the present time they usually proceed to show heads with each new launch.
They have been first based again in 1950, round Might 9th, straight by the Spanish authorities themselves proper after the battle ended. Primarily, they have been simply in search of a method to earn cash after their losses, so the humorous factor right here is that they by no means anticipated to get this a lot recognition for his or her automobiles.
However, as time moved on it grew to become fairly clear that SEAT was not only a Spanish automotive firm, it had leaked everywhere in the remainder of the world, actually spreading so far as Europe and the US to the purpose the place you’re extra more likely to see a SEAT automotive in America than you’re to see one in Spain.
They make inexpensive but extraordinarily lovely automobiles that anybody would like to cruise across the city in. General, you possibly can’t go flawed with SEAT. At present, the largest Spanish automaker is owned by the Volkswagen Group.
Hispano-Suiza
Hispano-Suiza brand
Even if Hispano-Suiza isn’t essentially recognized for his or her unbelievable automobiles, they’ve nonetheless managed to get various consideration over time due to their luxurious creations.
The explanation as to why you don’t see or hear that many discuss Hispano-Suiza as a fantastic automotive firm is as a result of they really haven’t been working on this subject for fairly a while now.
They really began out as automotive producers in 1904, however they stopped making them altogether by 1939 with a view to present the nation with aircrafts as an alternative.
Whereas this was and worthwhile concept for them, they really just lately determined to offer automobiles one other shot, really getting again into the groove round 2019.
In the event you’re to see what sort of stuff they’re recognized for simply lookup the Hispano Suiza H6 and also you’ll immediately know in the event that they’re for you or not.
Tauro Sport Auto
Tauro Sport Auto brand
- Years: 2010 – Current
- Headquarters: Valladolid, Spain
- Key Folks: Pedro J Santos (CEO)
Be careful as a result of the bull is right here and its horns are aimed straight in your pockets! All jokes apart, Tauro is a really critical up and coming automotive firm, one which was first began in 2010 and but shortly rose to the highest as a result of they confirmed plenty of promise proper from the get go.
They’ve solely created a complete of 4 V8 automobiles they usually have been all made utilizing high-performance American and British components. They’re recognized for his or her luxurious and luxury, so if that’s what you’re in search of then we will wager you that you simply received’t discover a cause to complain whereas using one in every of theirs.
The V8 Spider was their first ever launch, and even though they haven’t launched plenty of automobiles since, they’ve actually confirmed themselves definitely worth the funding proper then and there with that straightforward launch.
The wonderful thing about them is that since they’re such a small firm, they do every part by hand, that means that the automotive you get goes to be utterly totally different from the automotive your buddy obtained (in case your buddy obtained the identical mannequin from Tauro).
So, each mannequin is exclusive, and each mannequin is definitely worth the funding. Whether or not you’re in search of a sportscar or a luxurious automotive, Tauro’s obtained you coated nonetheless.
Spania GTA
Spania GTA brand
Whereas luxurious automobiles are all the fashion these days, Spania GTA has actually taken fairly a bet by deciding to not go for that area of interest however as an alternative go for racing automobiles as an alternative.
That’s proper, for those who’re in search of quick and dependable, then Spania GTA has you coated as they’ve made a number of the quickest sportscars on this planet.
The corporate is now lead by none aside from Domingo Ochoa and in keeping with him, this entire venture of theirs isn’t meant to final perpetually, as they’re solely planning on releasing 99 autos throughout their debut line.
They’ve managed to draw an honest variety of followers amongst the racing lovers, however aside from that they haven’t managed to interrupt out throughout borders. Though we hope that this adjustments with time, we don’t see a cause as to why anybody that isn’t desirous about racing would spend the cash on one in every of their fashions.
Hurtan
Hurtan brand
- Years: 1991 – Current
- Headquarters: Santa Fe, Granada, Spain
- Founder: Juan Hurtado González
- Web site: https://hurtan.com/
Regardless of having a comparatively humble starting, Hurtan has really managed to drag its personal weight with the passage of time, to the purpose the place they’ve made fairly a reputation for themselves amongst collectors and particularly in opposition to the folks that actually wish to stand out from the gang.
After they first began no person knew what they have been all about, and to be sincere neither did they on the time. All that Juan Hurtado Gonzalez knew is that he needed to make automobiles, and that he liked retro stuff, so he mixed the 2 creating his very personal lineup.
The cool factor about Hurtan is that they don’t slot in any area of interest although, as a result of when you can merely say that Hurtan makes high quality retro automobiles, additionally they dabble within the luxurious and sportscar business as properly.
Ever since they launched their first mannequin available on the market folks have tried to discover a area of interest that they might place Hurtan in however to no avail as they’ve been actually altering up the sport yearly since they have been first established in 1991.
Whereas their automobiles could also be a bit pricier, we nonetheless suggest them wholeheartedly for those who’re trying to get your self a top quality product you can’t go flawed with. Now, the 150k euro gap in your pockets may not agree with you, however you already know you made the best alternative, don’t you?
Aspid
Aspid Emblem
- Years: 2003 – Current
- Headquarters: Reus, Catalonia, Spain
- Founder: Ignacio Fernández Rodríguez
- Web site: https://aspidcars.com/
Ever since they have been established, Aspid have actually tried wholeheartedly to vary up the sport by always releasing open-wheel automobiles to the overall demographic. In the event you don’t know what these are, consider racing F1 fashions and also you’ll get the gist of it.
Why go up to now to cater to a distinct segment that isn’t even established but? As a result of the well-known engineer Ignacio Fernandez has a imaginative and prescient for the longer term, one which he’s efficiently managed to draw fairly a big userbase with.
He primarily needed to mix racing automobiles with trendy on a regular basis automobiles, in an try to search out the right center floor that each classes might shine by way of.
Their IFR Aspid mannequin was fairly attention-grabbing, nevertheless it paled compared to the GT-21 Invictus. Sadly nonetheless, that venture didn’t really come to fruition due to budgeting points.
Seems that catering to an viewers that doesn’t exist but isn’t precisely worthwhile and the buyers behind your model aren’t as eager to comply with you in all places simply because you’ve gotten a imaginative and prescient.
Nonetheless, Aspid is constant to fabricate their very own automobiles, they usually don’t appear to be stopping anytime quickly both. On the finish of the day, they is perhaps swimming in opposition to the present, however who can blame them actually.
Tramontana
Tramontana brand
The corporate began again in 1995, with the person referred to as Josep Rubau in cost. The attention-grabbing half to notice right here is that he was once one of many high staff for Volkswagen round that point interval which is why everyone was stoked to see what he might do for his personal identify model.
Tramontana is definitely fairly well-known not for the truth that they launched a number of the greatest automobiles on this planet, however as a result of they really technically revived the normal automotive area of interest during the last century or so by repeatedly launching increasingly more of them as time moved on.
Additionally they make some very restricted fashions, that means you possibly can solely get about 12 per yr, they usually’re additionally extraordinarily costly primarily as a result of they use precise gold to embellish them.
As you possibly can inform already, their automobiles should not for the typical driver, they’re extra so interesting to the collector aspect of the market. However, for those who’re in it in search of and distinctive retro automotive then Tramontana has obtained you coated.
Irizar
Irizar brand
- Years: 1889 – Current
- Headquarters: Ormaiztegi, Spain
- Founder: Jose Francisco Irizar Catarain
- Web site: https://www.irizar.com/
The cool half about Irizar is that it began means again in 1889 when the native blacksmith Jose Francisco Irizar Catarain really began up his personal agency making an attempt to assemble stagecoaches and carriages for the folks trying to journey lengthy distances.
After he handed away, his sons determined to change it up a bit and as an alternative go for the bus and agricultural equipment niches. This was a convincing success for them, as they immediately grew to become Spain’s nationwide bus firm.
They’re nonetheless creating buses to at the present time, they usually’ve launched a number of the greatest public transportation autos on the market. Whereas nowhere close to as fashionable as common sports activities and luxurious automotive manufacturers, Irizar have confirmed to the world that you simply don’t at all times must go for the large fish to essentially flip in a revenue.
Benimar
Benimar brand
- Years: 1978 – Current
- Headquarters: Castellón, Spain
- Mum or dad Firm: Trigano Group
- Web site: https://www.benimar.es/
Maintaining with the craziness of those random niches we now have Benimar, fairly probably some of the well-known cell dwelling producers on the market. They’ve actually been controlling the market since 1974 they usually’re nonetheless on high immediately.
Their greatest years undoubtedly have been 1984 to 2002 as a result of throughout that point interval they have been actually unstoppable. That’s additionally after they modified their identify to Ocarsa, though they modified it again to Benimar after a few years when Trigano Group bought it.
Whereas not as surprising or as riveting as a few of our different picks, Benimar has nonetheless actually shaken up the scene by offering the world with one of the best of their area of interest, and we now have to respect that, don’t we?
Cupra
Cupra brand
You may know them as Cupra, otherwise you may know them underneath their different identify, SEAT Sport, regardless, the very fact of the matter is that you simply positively know them.
They’ve been developing some unbelievable race automobiles over time, they even had three totally different victories all because of the SEAT Ibiza Equipment-Automotive through the World Rally Championship from 1996 to 1998.
They solely just lately modified their identify to Cupra however they’ve already began to draw buyers due to how superb they’re at their job.
What’s additionally attention-grabbing to notice right here is that they’re completely unbiased, that means that they’ll make no matter they need at any time when they wish to, so you possibly can at all times anticipate unusual and revolutionary releases from them.
Now let’s take a look at a number of Spanish automakers that not exist…
Santana Motor
Santana Motor brand
- Years: 1954 – 2011
- Headquarters: Linares, Jaén, Spain
- Founder: Authorities of Spain
Versus Tauro, Santana has been round for fairly a while now, with their first launch courting again to the 50s.
Though they have been recognized for his or her SUVs, additionally they made some actually fairly and compact sportscars too, exhibiting off the truth that they weren’t only a one trick pony in spite of everything.
They have been doing fairly properly for some time, however due to the rise of different automotive firms akin to SEAT and a number of the different picks on this checklist, they have been put to the aspect and finally they went bankrupt in 2011.
The unhappy half is that though they’ve just about gone off the radar for now, their automobiles are nonetheless in all places in Spain, to the purpose the place you possibly can actually depend them by the handfuls wherever you go.
They’ve carried out an honest job at advertising themselves throughout borders however the unhappy factor is that they couldn’t sustain with the unbelievable demand and provide that was wanted on the time. So, for now, relaxation in piece Santana, misplaced however not forgotten.
Pegaso
Pegaso brand
- Years: 1946 – 1994
- Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
- Mum or dad Firm: Hispano-Suiza
The Pegaso model has fairly the historical past to say the least. The corporate began out as in 1946 with a collection of sports activities automobiles, armored autos, omnibuses and even tractors at that. They gave the impression to be fairly in every single place, making an attempt to suit into each area of interest on the market.
With such a wierd marketing strategy it’s no marvel that they didn’t actually handle to hit the large scenes, as they have been barely afloat more often than not.
As of 1994 they utterly shut down, all as a result of they flew too near the solar and misplaced it earlier than they might even actually show their expertise on the market. Possibly in the event that they tried to truly be one of the best at one factor as an alternative of making an attempt to do every part without delay they’d have really stood an opportunity.
Abadal
Abadal brand
- Years: 1912 – 1923
- Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
- Founder: Francisco Abadal
This automotive manufacturing firm was really began means again in 1912 by none aside from well-known driver Francisco Abadal himself. He was referred to as probably the greatest race drivers of all time, and he needed to show his dream automotive into actuality by beginning up his personal agency.
So, he began off casually in 1912 and a few years later they obtained purchased out by Buick. The unhappy half is that that is mentioned to have actually destroyed Abadal’s desires as he might not work on his personal initiatives, he primarily obtained changed into a puppet working for cash versus following his desires.
So, as his flame died down, so did the identify of the Abadal model, successfully leaving the market and utterly halting manufacturing by 1923.
Though it’s mentioned that by 1930, the corporate was planning to return to the market with a brand new design referred to as the Abadal Continental, it by no means reached the market so the corporate was laid to relaxation.
Whereas it was certainly a promising begin, it wasn’t meant to be for Abadal. Hopefully at the very least he obtained to get pleasure from these first couple of years engaged on his lifelong dream.
Conclusion
Spania GTA
So, these are the entire Spanish automotive producers on the market. Some are nonetheless going; others defunct and one or two are nonetheless kicking it on the high of the leaderboard with the large boys.
All that we will say is that Spain has actually showcased their expertise over time, and though not at all times profitable, they nonetheless managed to indicate off the truth that they don’t seem to be afraid of making an attempt to match the manufacturers throughout the seas even when they don’t have the identify or funds to compete on any degree with them.
Regardless, what’s essential is that the majority of them are nonetheless going, so there’s at all times an opportunity that they’ll attain the highest finally. So, fingers crossed? Who is aware of, we’d really all be driving a SEAT within the close to future.
