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Tyres  /  Tyre NewsMotoring  / Car Brand and Model Anniversaries of 2025

Car Brand and Model Anniversaries of 2025

Car Brand and Model Anniversaries of 2025

The new year has arrived, meaning we’re bringing you the annual celebration of car brands and vehicle models that are celebrating key milestones.

These brands and vehicles have become influential players in the automotive industry at least one point in time, with many of these manufacturers and models still going strong to this day.

This means it’s time to give a nod to some of those brands and models that are celebrating key car anniversaries in 2025.

Explore the fascinating backgrounds of each of these automotive birthdays and what they mean to the industry from a past and present perspective!

Citroen C1 – 20 years

First unveiled at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the Citroen C1 was one of three car models developed as part of a joint venture between PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).

We will get onto one of the other car models shortly, but as for the Citroen C1, this small passenger car stood the test of time up until its unfortunate discontinuation in 2022.

Both companies anticipated the European market demand for smaller urban cars to increase, with a lot of hopes hinged upon the C1 to deliver – and that it did.

Image of first generation Citroen C1

Acting as a replacement to the outdated Citroen Saxo, Citroen saw immense benefit from working with the world’s largest car manufacturers, Toyota, a brand that also had great prior experience in the production of smaller vehicles.

Citroen would cease this opportunity and continue to develop the C1 into one of their most popular models, with the Citroen C1 selling 1,144,875 units in Europe throughout its lifespan (2005-2022).

Even though the C1 is no longer in production, the importance of this model can’t go understated, paving the way for the growing demands of easy-to-manoeuvre, small city cars in the mid-2000s.

Toyota Aygo – 20 years

Now for another model unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 that is still a huge presence in the automative industry is the ever-successful Toyota Aygo.

Side note: if you’re wondering what the third car unveiled alongside the C1 and Aygo was, that would be the Peugeot 107.

While the 107 had its fair share of success for Peugeot, it didn’t last anywhere near as long as the Aygo or C1, being replaced by the more modern and advanced Peugeot 108 back in 2014.

That’s why it’s not getting much love in this article (sorry 107 fans).

But anyway, back to the Aygo. This model served as Toyota’s next step in developing their small passenger car model line-up alongside PSA Peugeot-Citroen.

Image of first generation Toyota Aygo

You can tell each model was inspired by one another through the distinct similarities in style, with each car measuring around 3.4m long, 1.6m wide and 1.4m high.

A showcase line-up of first generation Citroen C1, Peugeot 107, and Toyota Aygo

The Aygo though, is the last car standing amongst these three, still going strong in the year of 2025… well, kind of – it was replaced by its crossover SUV big brother, the Aygo X, back in 2022.

This still hasn’t stopped the original Aygo model from being a top choice for drivers across Europe.

Evidence of this model’s modern success can be seen through CarGurus heralding the 2nd and last generation of Aygo as the “Best Car for New Drivers” in 2024.

Much like the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107, the Toyota Aygo stands as a real innovator in the small passenger car movement, still being a popular pick for motorists to this day.

Volkswagen Polo – 50 years

Last year, we covered the 50 year anniversary of the famous Volkswagen Golf, as well as the year before when we spoke on the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Passat.

But now it’s time to shine light on the ever-popular Volkswagen Polo that now joins the Golf and Passat in turning 50 this year.

Being only behind the Golf in popularity, the Volkswagen Polo has been a real staple in the VW’s model line-up, with the hatchback car being one of the most recognisable cars on our roads today.

Image of first generation Volkswagen Polo

The Polo was inspired by the Audi 80, acting as VW’s take on small passenger cars and quickly establishing itself as a reliable and stylish option in the compact car market.

Along with the aforementioned Golf and Passat, the Polo was introduced as one of Volkswagen’s new models to push through a new generation of car production.

The German car brand slowly moved away from the world’s most popular car ever (up until that point), the Volkswagen Beetle, so to say that these cars needed to be a hit with motorists in the 1970s is an understatement.

However, since its debut in 1975, the Volkswagen Polo has evolved through six generations, each bringing significant advancements in design, technology, and performance.

Turning into one of the most popular and recognisable cars on the planet today, it can be argued that the Polo is one of Volkswagen’s most successful and important models to date – here’s to another 50 years!

SEAT – 75 years

SEAT as a company turn 75 years old this year, with the company being founded on the 9th of May 1950.

SEAT has always been a brand deeply rooted in innovation and transformation.

Starting with its first factory in Barcelona’s Zona Franca, where the SEAT 1400 was produced in 1953, the company quickly became a driving force in Spain’s industrial transformation.

An old SEAT manufacturing factory

Shortly after then, SEAT began expanding its reach far beyond Spain, exporting its first car in 1965 and becoming one of the country’s largest industrial exporters.

From selling just 405 units in its first year of production to achieving 310,000 SEAT-branded car sales in 2024, the brand’s remarkable growth is a testament to its resilience and forward-thinking approach over the decades.

This evolution is further demonstrated by the establishment of CUPRA as a standalone brand, operating as a subsidiary of SEAT and redefining performance-focused vehicles.

With the SEAT brand and company going from strength to strength in recent years, it would come as no surprise to see SEAT hit that century-old milestone in 25 years’ time.

Jaguar (first car) – 90 years

In 1935, the automotive world witnessed the debut of the SS Jaguar Saloon, marking the first appearance of the ' Jaguar' nameplate.

Produced by SS Cars Limited under the guidance of founder William Lyons, this model showcased a sleek, low-slung design that epitomised the elegance and performance Lyons envisioned for his vehicles.

The SS Jaguar Saloon was initially offered with 1.5 and 2.5-litre engines, and in 1938, a 3.5-litre option was introduced, catering to a range of customer preferences.

Image of Jaguar's first car, the SS Jaguar

The introduction of the SS Jaguar Saloon not only set new standards for luxury and performance in the mid-1930s but also laid the foundation for Jaguar's evolution into a globally recognised symbol of automotive excellence.

Today, as we reflect on this milestone, the SS Jaguar Saloon remains a testament to the brand's enduring legacy and its commitment to innovation and design.

Rolls-Royce Phantom – 100 years

In 1925, Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom, a model that would become synonymous with automotive excellence and luxury.

Replacing the esteemed Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, the Phantom featured a new pushrod-OHV straight-6 engine, delivering improved performance and refinement.

Its advanced engineering and timeless design set new benchmarks in the luxury vehicle segment, reinforcing Rolls-Royce's reputation for unparalleled craftsmanship.

Image of first generation Rolls-Royce Phantom

Over the past century, the Phantom has evolved through eight generations, each iteration embodying the pinnacle of luxury and innovation.

From the outstanding interiors to the top-level performance, the Phantom has consistently catered to the world's elite, including royalty, celebrities, and heads of state.

As the Phantom celebrates its 100th anniversary, Rolls-Royce continues to honour its heritage while embracing the future of luxury mobility.

The marque's dedication to innovation ensures that the Phantom remains not only a symbol of prestige but also a beacon of technological advancement in the automotive industry.

Celebrating Automotive Milestones

As we reflect on the milestones and anniversaries in the automotive world, it’s clear that the enduring legacies of these vehicles and brands have shaped the industry in profound ways.

From their innovative beginnings to their modern-day evolutions, these stories remind us of the passion, craftsmanship, and ingenuity that drive the automotive world forward.

Here’s to celebrating the past, appreciating the present, and looking ahead to an exciting future for cars and their creators.

Image Credits

Citroen C1 – Agricool

Toyota Aygo – Toyota

VW Polo – Volkswagen

SEAT – SEAT 

Jaguar First Car – Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club

Rolss-Royce Phantom – SuperCars.net

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