At one point or another every automaker has produced a vehicle that has flopped. The Chevrolet SSR is one example of an alarmingly unsatisfactory car. Of course, auto pros recognize that this “convertible pickup” did not fare well on the market because Chevrolet was trying to target too many demographics with a single vehicle. Not surprisingly, the SSR was only around for three years.
While many automakers are guilty of creating at least one unwanted vehicle, car lovers can’t deny that those same retailers are also responsible for producing some of the most remarkable four-wheeled masterpieces.
If you are planning to pursue an automotive career, read on to learn more about some of the greatest and most sought after cars in the past decade.
Chevrolet Corvette C6: Automotive Redesign at its Finest
This model, which debuted in 2005, is more compact and fuel efficient that any of the five generations before it. The base model comes with a 430-hp V-8 engine, and while the new design boasts a shorter body, the cockpit of the car is far more spacious than previous models.
Mini Cooper: A Car’s Quick Rise to Fame
Graduates of auto mechanic school know that Minis are not the most powerful cars on the market, since they typically boast a 1.6 liter I-4, 116-hp engine. However, they have gained tons of popularity over the past decade. In fact, it is almost impossible to cross a Canadian city street without spotting at least one of these on the road.
BMW acquired the Rover Group from British Aerospace (which originally owned Mini) in the early 1990s. However, it was not until 1998 that the German automaker set out to create the production Mini Cooper—the iconic compact model that so frequently graces our roads today.
Hyundai Genesis: Getting the Carmaker on the Map
This Korean luxury model took a lot of people by surprise when it first launched in 2009. Auto pros know that the Genesis handles like a German luxury car, such as Mercedes or BMW, but is far more affordable at only a fraction of the price. Interestingly, the Korean automaker started to be taken much more seriously once it dove into the luxury sedan market.
Honda Civic: Canada’s Automotive Industry Leader
Since its launch in 1973, the Honda Civic is still the fuel efficient, light and affordable car it always has been. Additionally, professionals in auto repair careers know that replacing Civic parts could not be easier, since they are both accessible and much more affordable than most other cars. The Honda Civic is a household name in Canada, which is why it’s our #1 selling passenger vehicle almost every year.
Bugatti Veyron: The Car that Just Plain Wins
The Bugatti Veyron made its debut in 2005 and is recognized as one of the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive cars ever built. The original mid-engine Veyron has a quad-turbochared 16-valve engine that is capable of producing 1001-hp. Top Gear has described its drive pretty clearly, stating: “Nothing prepares you for the shock of the acceleration when you open the throttle and unleash a thousand horses…”
Check out this video clip of a Bugatti Veyron reaching top speed: