The Automotive Brand Family Tree: Who Owns Every Car Brand in 2026
Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, Maserati, Porsche, Lamborghini. The car industry is a web of corporate ownership. This guide maps every major auto brand to its parent company.
A Dozen Companies, Dozens of Brands
The global automotive industry generated approximately $3 trillion in revenue in 2025, making it one of the largest industries on Earth. Hundreds of car models compete for buyers across every price point, from budget subcompacts to million-dollar hypercars. But nearly all of them trace back to a surprisingly small number of parent companies.
Understanding who owns which car brand reveals why certain vehicles share platforms, why some "competitors" are corporate siblings, and how the industry's consolidation shapes the cars you drive.
The Major Automotive Groups
Toyota Motor Corporation
Headquarters: Toyota City, Japan
Ticker: NYSE: TM / TYO: 7203
2024 Global Sales: ~10.8 million vehicles
Status: World's largest automaker by volume
Toyota is the world's largest automaker and one of the most diversified:
- Toyota: Mass-market vehicles (Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Tacoma, Tundra)
- Lexus: Luxury vehicles (ES, RX, LS, LC, LX)
- Daihatsu: Compact cars (primarily Japan and Southeast Asia)
- Hino: Trucks and buses
- Subaru: Toyota holds a ~20% stake (not full ownership)
- Mazda: Toyota holds a ~5% stake
- Suzuki: Toyota holds a ~5% stake
Toyota's cross-shareholding strategy gives it influence over several ostensibly independent brands without full acquisition. The company has been notably cautious about the transition to electric vehicles, investing heavily in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells alongside battery EVs.
Volkswagen Group
Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
Ticker: Frankfurt: VOW3
2024 Global Sales: ~9 million vehicles
Status: Europe's largest automaker
Volkswagen Group owns an extraordinary range of brands spanning every price point:
- Volkswagen: Mass-market (Golf, Tiguan, ID.4)
- Audi: Premium (A4, Q5, e-tron)
- Porsche: Sports/luxury (911, Cayenne, Taycan)
- Lamborghini: Supercars (Huracan, Urus, Revuelto)
- Bentley: Ultra-luxury (Continental, Bentayga, Flying Spur)
- Bugatti: Hypercars (Chiron, Tourbillon) - now part of Bugatti Rimac joint venture
- SEAT/CUPRA: Value/sport (primarily European)
- Skoda: Value (primarily European)
- Ducati: Motorcycles
- Scania, MAN: Commercial trucks
- Porsche AG is partially publicly traded (Frankfurt: P911), but VW Group retains a controlling ~75% stake
The Porsche and Piech families control Volkswagen Group through Porsche Automobil Holding SE, which owns a 31.4% stake with 53.3% of voting rights.
Stellantis
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands (operational in Detroit, Turin, Paris)
Ticker: NYSE: STLA
2024 Global Sales: ~5.5 million vehicles
Status: Fourth-largest automaker, formed 2021
Stellantis was created in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and France's Groupe PSA. It owns 14 automotive brands:
American heritage:
- Jeep: SUVs and off-road (Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Gladiator)
- Ram: Trucks (1500, 2500, ProMaster)
- Dodge: Performance (Hornet, Durango)
- Chrysler: Sedans/minivans (Pacifica, 300)
European heritage:
- Fiat: Compact/value (500, Panda)
- Alfa Romeo: Sports/premium (Giulia, Stelvio, Tonale)
- Maserati: Luxury sports (GranTurismo, Grecale, MC20)
- Lancia: Italian heritage (reviving with new models)
French heritage:
- Peugeot: Mass-market (208, 3008, 5008)
- Citroen: Distinctive design (C3, C5 Aircross)
- DS Automobiles: French luxury (DS 7, DS 9)
- Opel/Vauxhall: European mass-market (Corsa, Mokka, Astra)
Stellantis has faced significant challenges. The company reported a 70% drop in net profit in 2024, CEO Carlos Tavares resigned in December 2024, and new CEO Antonio Filosa took over in May 2025. In February 2026, Stellantis announced a $26 billion writedown related to its shift away from some electric vehicle programs.
BMW Group
Headquarters: Munich, Germany Ticker: Frankfurt: BMW 2024 Global Sales: ~2.5 million vehicles
BMW Group owns three distinct brands:
- BMW: Premium vehicles (3 Series, 5 Series, X5, iX)
- MINI: Compact premium (Cooper, Countryman, Clubman)
- Rolls-Royce: Ultra-luxury (Phantom, Ghost, Spectre)
Note: BMW's Rolls-Royce is the car brand only. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (the aerospace engine company) is a separate, unrelated publicly traded company.
The Quandt family controls BMW through a ~47% ownership stake.
Hyundai Motor Group
Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Ticker: KRX: 005380
2024 Global Sales: ~7.3 million vehicles
- Hyundai: Mass-market (Tucson, Elantra, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6)
- Kia: Mass-market (Sportage, Telluride, EV6, EV9)
- Genesis: Luxury (G80, GV70, GV80, Electrified GV70)
Hyundai Motor Group has emerged as one of the most competitive automakers globally, particularly in electric vehicles. The Ioniq 5 and EV6 have been among the best-selling EVs worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz Group
Headquarters: Stuttgart, Germany
Ticker: Frankfurt: MBG
2024 Global Sales: ~2 million vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz: Luxury vehicles (C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, EQS)
- Mercedes-AMG: High-performance (AMG GT, C 63, G 63)
- Mercedes-Maybach: Ultra-luxury (S-Class Maybach, GLS Maybach)
- Smart: Micro/compact EVs (joint venture with Geely)
Mercedes-Benz divested Daimler Truck in 2021, making Mercedes-Benz Group a pure passenger car and van company.
General Motors
Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Ticker: NYSE: GM
2024 Global Sales: ~6.2 million vehicles
- Chevrolet: Mass-market (Silverado, Equinox, Corvette)
- GMC: Trucks/SUVs (Sierra, Yukon, Hummer EV)
- Cadillac: Luxury (Escalade, Lyriq, Celestiq)
- Buick: Premium (Enclave, Envision, primarily strong in China)
GM has shed many brands over the years. Pontiac, Saturn, Oldsmobile, Saab (sold), and Hummer (revived as a GMC sub-brand) are all former GM brands.
Ford Motor Company
Headquarters: Dearborn, Michigan, USA
Ticker: NYSE: F
2024 Global Sales: ~4.4 million vehicles
- Ford: Mass-market (F-150, Bronco, Mustang, Explorer)
- Lincoln: Luxury (Navigator, Aviator, Corsair)
Ford has simplified its brand portfolio significantly. It sold Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo Cars, and Aston Martin between 2007 and 2013.
Other Major Groups
| Group | Brands | HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Motor | Honda, Acura | Tokyo, Japan |
| Renault Group | Renault, Dacia, Alpine | Paris, France |
| Tata Motors | Tata, Jaguar Land Rover | Mumbai, India |
| Geely | Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus, Lynk & Co | Hangzhou, China |
| BYD | BYD (world's largest EV maker by volume) | Shenzhen, China |
| Ferrari | Ferrari (independent since 2016 spinoff from FCA) | Maranello, Italy |
Surprising Ownership Connections
- Lamborghini and Volkswagen Golf share a parent company (Volkswagen Group)
- Jeep and Maserati are corporate siblings under Stellantis
- Rolls-Royce cars and MINI are both owned by BMW Group
- Bentley and Porsche are both part of Volkswagen Group
- Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Motors
- Volvo Cars is owned by Chinese company Geely (not the same as Volvo Trucks, owned by AB Volvo)
The EV Shakeup
Electric vehicles are reshaping automotive ownership. Chinese manufacturers, particularly BYD, have emerged as major global players. BYD surpassed Tesla in total vehicle sales (including hybrids) in late 2024 and continues to expand globally in 2026.
Traditional automakers are responding with massive EV investments, but the transition is uneven. Stellantis' $26 billion writedown in February 2026 highlights the financial risks of the EV transition for legacy manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the largest car company in the world?
Toyota is the world's largest automaker by vehicle sales, delivering approximately 10.8 million vehicles in 2024. Volkswagen Group and Hyundai Motor Group are the second and third largest.
Does Volkswagen own Porsche?
Yes and no. Volkswagen Group owns approximately 75% of Porsche AG. Porsche AG is also partially publicly traded (Frankfurt: P911). Meanwhile, Porsche Automobil Holding SE (controlled by the Porsche-Piech family) owns a controlling stake in Volkswagen Group itself.
Who owns Jeep?
Jeep is owned by Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), the multinational automaker formed from the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and Groupe PSA.
Who owns Rolls-Royce cars?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is owned by BMW Group. This is separate from Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, the British aerospace and defense company.
The Bottom Line
The automotive industry is dominated by roughly a dozen corporate groups that own all the major car brands. Understanding these ownership relationships explains why some vehicles share platforms, why certain brands were created or discontinued, and how corporate strategy shapes the cars available to consumers. As the industry navigates the electric vehicle transition, these ownership structures will continue to evolve through mergers, spin-offs, and new partnerships.
Explore automotive brand ownership on WhoBrands or browse automotive brands.
Explore Related Brands
- Toyota - World's largest automaker
- Lexus - Toyota's luxury division
- Jeep - Iconic SUV brand, Stellantis-owned
- Porsche - Sports car icon, VW Group-owned
- BMW - German luxury, parent of MINI and Rolls-Royce
- Lamborghini - Italian supercar, VW Group-owned
Sources
1. OICA. "World Motor Vehicle Production." 2024-2025. 2. Stellantis. Annual Report 2024. stellantis.com/investors 3. Volkswagen Group. Annual Report 2024. volkswagenag.com/investors 4. The New York Times. "Stellantis's Shift Away From Electric Cars." February 6, 2026. 5. Automotive News. "Major Brand Decisions Await Stellantis CEO." January 2026. 6. Toyota Motor Corporation. Annual Report 2024.
All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: January 27, 2026.
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Brands & Companies Mentioned
Toyota
Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation
Japanese automotive brand, the world's largest automaker by vehicle sales and one of the most valuable car brands globally.
Lexus
Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation
Luxury automotive brand owned by Toyota Motor Corporation, specializing in premium vehicles.
Jeep
Owned by Stellantis
American brand of automobiles and off-road vehicles, specializing in SUVs and off-road vehicles, owned by Stellantis.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer and the world's largest automobile producer by volume, operating Toyota and Lexus brands with fiscal year 2025 consolidated net revenues of approximately 47.5 trillion yen.
2 brands in portfolio
Volkswagen Group
German multinational automotive manufacturing company and one of the world's largest automakers, producing vehicles across multiple brands and segments.
12 brands in portfolio
Stellantis
Multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA, one of the world's largest automakers.
15 brands in portfolio