Car Brands That Have Disappeared Over The Past Dozen Years

So what kind of vehicle do you drive? What was your first car? What was the favorite vehicle that you've ever owned? Chances are at least one of them aren't made anymore. Several popular car brands have disappeared over the past dozen years. Here's a look at some of them that have gone to that giant scrap heap in the sky.Saab (1937-2012) : This Swedish staple started in 1937 and the sale to GM was completed in 2000. Sales slumped and parts to its most popular models, the 9-3 and 9-5 ceased entirely in 2011. GM blocked a deal to sell Saab to a Chinese company, Saab went into bankruptcy, and its assets were bought by a Swedish electric car maker in 2012.

Mercury (1938-2010) Launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford. Mercury was designed to be an entry-level luxury car entry to compete with GM's Buick and Oldsmobile. Ford Motor Company phased out Mercury in 2010. The final Mercury, a Grand Marquis, rolled off the assembly line in January 2011.

Pontiac (1926-2010) Pontiac had been known for high performance cars at a fair price. With iconic brands like GTO and Firebird. Pontiac, as recently as 1988, was the third most popular domestic car brand in the United States. Production ended in 2010 when a G6 made it's way down the assembly line. My favorite car I ever owned was a 1989 Firebird Formula, t-tops, red.

Oldsmobile (1897-2004) In its 107 year history, 35.2 million Oldsmobiles were made. Oldsmobile made the first front-wheel drive car in 1966 with it's Tornado. Popular models included the Cutlass, 442, 98 and Omega. In fact, my Dad was the 'Omega Man' in the late 1970's for a television campaign for a Lewiston car dealership.

Plymouth (1928-2001) Plymouth was the Chrysler Corporation's entry into low-priced makes of cars. Sales of Plymouth peaked in 1973 with 973,000 cars sold in the United States. By 1990, it rarely sold more than 200,000 vehicles in the United States. In the 1930's through the 1950's, Plymouth was the solid number three car maker in America. Popular models included the Neon, Breeze, Volare and Voyager.

Other car brands that have gone by the wayside over the past few years include: Hummer (1992-2011), and Saturn (1985-2010).

What car brands that have disappeared do you remember? Which ones did you own. Share your stories.