Multiple automakers have been on the brink of insolvency or near being bought out over the years, and a handful of those were just one great vehicle away from turning their fortunes around. From the 1939 Aston Martin Atom to the 1959 BMW 700, and the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 to the Chrysler K-Car, and even the Peugeot 205, several automakers during their darkest hour have been saved by 10 very specific vehicles, each arriving when a manufacturer needed the unique touch the car offered most sales, engineering, economy, or a new direction.

Here’s a look at how vehicles like the Ford Taurus, Aston Martin DB7, Porsche Boxster, Lotus Elise and Tesla Model S fuelled success and longevity. In various ways they failed or succeeded Aerodynamic styling, lightweight design and build, affordable sports-car ownership and electric luxury vehicles. Many of them reached significant sales volumes, others secured the support of powerful customers or enabled more efficient manufacturing. We’ll be showing how the right model at the right time can turn a downbeat buyer’s expectation into a new lease of life that defines and refines the automaker’s future.

1. 1939 Aston Martin Atom

Before famous models like the DB4, DB5, and DB9 made Aston Martin a household name around the world, there was a car far ahead of its time. It was a prototype car called the 1939 Aston Martin Atom. The futuristic prototype was designed just before the start of World War II, which interrupted the global production of many vehicles. The Atom was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced roughly 90 horsepower through a four-speed manual transmission. Though the car never entered commercial production, it was of paramount importance from an engineering and styling perspective, and in 1947, a successful test drive led by industrialist David Brown was the start of a new chapter for Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Atom’s Historic Impact:

• 1939 futuristic prototype developed
• 2.0-liter inline-four engine
• Approximately 90 horsepower produced
• David Brown purchased Aston Martin
• Acquisition price was £20,500

And then Brown bought the Atom after he found it so amazing when he drove it and that purchase in 1947 began the next chapter in the story of Aston Martin and to the cars that became known all over the world as the DBs and what an impact they had on the car world. The Atom was such an important car despite it being one of the cars that was limited in the number of cars that were ever made and never was a true production car but without that prototype, the industrialist, the one that purchased the Atom may not have come along to purchase Aston Martin and get it into the shape it is in today.

2. 1959 BMW 700

By 1959 BMW was haemorrhaging money and, in fact, was so fragile that it was about to be acquired by competitors Mercedes-Benz. It desperately needed a model to shift that could support the company financially and, thankfully, the answer was right there already in the portfolio the small BMW 700, an air-cooled, rear-engined, two-door coupe with a 697cc flat-twin powerplant and 30-40bhp. Not exactly a power pack but the 700 was just the right size for the time and place, with just enough charm and driving enjoyment to endear it to the masses, and its small size and humble persona made it eminently saleable.

BMW 700’s Financial Turnaround:

• 697cc flat-twin engine
• 30 to 40 horsepower
• Top speed reached 78 mph
• More than 188,000 units sold
• Production ran from 1959-1965

With over 188,000 units sold between 1959 and 1965 the 700 was a vital part of BMW’s comeback. Its vast market share gave BMW the financial cushion it desperately needed at a time of crisis, and the profits allowed BMW to create the Neue Klasse, a new line of sedans that was a key turning point for the automaker. This series of vehicles provided BMW with the base of engineering knowledge that the sporty luxury cars it’s known for today would later be built on. The 700 could have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, forcing BMW to sell, but instead it became the vehicle that helped BMW take control of its future.

3. 1974 Volkswagen Golf Mk1

By the early 1970s, Volkswagen knew that the rear-engined and air-cooled Beetle was starting to show its age. The brand was starting to lose ground in key markets around the world, and needed to develop a true successor if its global sales were to be maintained. The very first incarnation of the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 was a radical departure from the successful formula of the Beetle and stuck with its rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout at this stage. Instead, Volkswagen introduced a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout of similar dimensions its engine was rated from 1.1L-1.8L at between 50 and 112hp. The car was a risk for Volkswagen which needed to move away from its aging bestseller.

Volkswagen Golf Mk1’s Key Achievements:

• Replaced aging Beetle strategy
• Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout
• Engine range from 1.1-1.8 liters
• Power reached 112 horsepower
• Production exceeded six million units

The decision to introduce the Golf was a resounding success, as the car’s production eventually climbed well past the six million mark. The Golf was instrumental in transforming Volkswagen into a modern carmaker and liberating the brand from its post-beetle old formula. It also created a new, modern hatchback style that would become a defining feature of the company. The forward-looking design and practical packaging allowed Volkswagen to better compete globally and injected a sense of a new direction for the brand. Instead of a replacement, the MK1 Golf had helped redefine what the automaker had to offer and secured a vital place in its history, proving how well-chosen replacements can preserve a brand’s future when its previous models began to show their age.

4. 1981 Chrysler K-Car

When Chrysler received federal loan guarantees in 1979, the company’s future was still not assured. The automaker had to produce at least one successful car that was able to make money and keep the company from going under. Its solution was its flexible K-car platform that was represented by vehicles like the Dodge Aries and the Plymouth Reliant. The front-wheel drive cars used a simple, practical 84-horsepower 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine and offered interior space along with an affordable price to be popular among buyers seeking transportation. An added benefit was that the design was so flexible that the automaker could create a number of body styles on one assembly platform in order to better utilize its existing manufacturing capabilities.

Chrysler K-Car’s Financial Contribution:

• Introduced after loan guarantees
• 2.2-liter inline-four engine
• 84 horsepower output
• Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant
• More than 2.1 million sales

The K-car platform racked up more than 2.1 million sales for use in its entire production run, providing Chrysler with a critical source of revenue. Multiple derivative body styles could be built on the same platform, eliminating the need for an entirely different chassis and thus saving money. The automaker was still attempting to right its ship and stay out of bankruptcy after playing the hand it was dealt after getting national loans (guaranteed by the federal government). Revenue from the K-car family helped the automaker retire the government guarantees years ahead of schedule. The platform became one of the best-known examples of how a flexible and successful family of cars can be used to avoid a company’s financial ruin.

5. 1983 Peugeot 205

Peugeot had been hard hit financially in the 1980s due to costly company takeovers and falling sales in the company’s main regional markets. The European car manufacturer required a successful new model to win over the markets and peps up its financial fortunes. The Peugeot 205 hit at just the right time, presented as a well packaged, good looking and nimble competitor in the small car class. It ranged from a small 954cc engine up to an all new 1.9 litre unit. Power outputs available between the two engine sizes were from 45 to 130PS which enabled the 205 to reach many buyer types while keeping the compact appeal it had in the big European market.

Peugeot 205’s Market Success:

• Introduced during financial difficulties
• Engine options from 954cc
• Largest engine measured 1.9 liters
• Power ranged from 45-130 horsepower
• More than 5.2 million produced

The Peugeot 205 was a huge commercial success, eventually producing over 5.2 million units across its long production cycle. The model’s success saved the company financially as Peugeot had desperately needed a more competitive model in their line-up in order to return to European market success. The 205 also proved that the humble small car could offer more than simply basic transportation. Thanks to attractive styling, a well-packaged interior and sharp, nimble dynamics the 205 was more than simply a fun-to-drive hatchback it genuinely connected with consumers and helped restore confidence in the brand. Providing the volume sales Peugeot needed, the 205 secured an important future role for itself in the company’s history as one of its most important models.

6. 1986 Ford Taurus

Ford committed an enormous amount of capital ($3 billion) to the Taurus development project in the mid-1980s in one of the most costly car development programs in history. Ford required a blockbuster family sedan that would provide a boost back to the company’s declining market share. The design of the Taurus, when introduced, was immediately distinct from many of the boxier looking cars available to consumers at the time. Its styling helped make Ford’s new family sedan a success and provided them with a new direction for their family vehicles. It was based on a platform that allowed for many different sizes of engines up to and including a 3.8-liter V6 that could produce 90-140 horsepower.

Ford Taurus Sales and Performance:

• Approximately $3 billion development investment
• Aerodynamic exterior design
• Engine range up to 3.8-liter V6
• More than 200,000 first-year sales
• Lifetime production nearly eight million

The Taurus was an instant success, surpassing 200,000 sales its first year. The model proved even more successful in the years that followed, with lifetime production eventually reaching near 8 million units. By the early 1990s, it was the best-selling car in America, cementing the success of Ford’s costly investment. The model brought in much-needed revenue and helped revive confidence in the company’s entire range of models. Its styling was aerodynamic, proving that a family sedan need not look all that much like most of what buyers had been used to. The Taurus became one of Ford’s most important commercial triumphs, demonstrating that a significant development investment could pay off in a popular model that met the changing demands of consumers and competition.

7. 1994 Aston Martin DB7

Before the Aston Martin DB7 was released, the British manufacturer was very much producing cars in limited quantities on a very shaky, financially unstable footing. They were in need of a model which could boost production figures, draw in more customers and help them secure a more prominent standing on the international scene. Beautifully designed by Ian Callum, the DB7 blended attractive, traditional grand touring styling with up-to-the-minute technology and performance. The supercharged 3.2 litre inline 6 produced 335 BHP under the bodywork, that had a maximum speed of 165 miles per hour. The Aston Martin DB7 was a pivotal introduction for the luxury car manufacturer.

Aston Martin DB7’s Commercial Impact:

• Designed by Ian Callum
• Supercharged 3.2-liter inline-six
• 335 horsepower output
• Top speed of 165 mph
• 7,117 units sold

7,117 DB7s were sold over the production run, making it the most successful Aston Martin to date. This was a significant milestone for a marque that had experienced very low production numbers for most of its existence. The revenue from the grand tourer gave Aston Martin a more stable financial base and aided the efforts to update and automate its manufacturing processes. The combination of style, luxury and performance also helped diversify the marque’s market around the world. The DB7 did much more than sell more units than any previous Aston Martin however it gave the company a more sustainable operational base and financial the platform needed to ensure the brand’s long-term survival.

8. 1996 Porsche Boxster

By the early 1990s, Porsche was in serious financial trouble as worldwide vehicle sales stalled. The German sports car manufacturer needed a new strategy to once again be profitable and still maintain a high-performance image. That is where the mid-engine Porsche Boxster comes in, a new entry-level car to the Porsche experience that would be created from parts shared with the upcoming 996 series 911. The 1st-generation Porsche Boxster featured a mid-mounted 2.5-liter, six-cylinder, water-cooled flat-six making 201 hp and being sandwiched under the removable top between the two seats. The car could be had with its dramatic styling, agile handling, and a top speed of 149 mph, which combined to make it the perfect street Porsche to fill the void.

Porsche Boxster’s Financial Recovery:

• Introduced during financial pressure
• Mid-engine roadster configuration
• 2.5-liter flat-six engine
• 201 horsepower output
• More than 160,000 sales

The Boxster had no trouble enticing customers to buy it, with the first generation selling over 160,000 examples. The commercial results helped save the company financially throughout the 1990s and laid the groundwork for future success. Sharing the development and platform aspects with the new 996-generation 911 also was an important piece of the company’s overall business strategy-one that helped keep production costs down and still enabled it to maintain its sports car image. The Boxster showed Porsche could attract a wider audience with a product targeted in the right way, that a better-balanced mix of styling, powertrain, and development also could enable it to escape financial difficulties.

9. 1996 Lotus Elise

Over the course of its career, Lotus struggled with financial difficulties and ownership changes. As a British sports-car company, it needed a vehicle that could preserve its identity while allowing for a commercially viable product. The Lotus Elise, built for the ultimate lightweight experience, proved to be a suitable model to fulfill this role. Using a new construction and weighing in at just 1,598 pounds, the Elise didn’t require a large engine to produce exhilarating performance. Rather, it employed a 1.8-liter inline-four making 118 horsepower that, when coupled with the lightweight design, created a powerful power-to-weight ratio, and offered an intensely pure (and fun) experience behind the wheel.

Lotus Elise’s Lightweight Engineering:

• Innovative aluminum structure
• Weight of 1,598 pounds
• 1.8-liter inline-four engine
• 118 horsepower output
• 35,124 examples produced

The Elise was the key to keeping Lotus relevant and in business as it was a product true to the engineering principles of the brand. Lightweight construction and a lowish-powered engine meant the car was designed for handling and driving pleasure rather than high spec luxury. The Elise also kept production costs down and made a number of eager drivers all over the world happy. The 35,124 Elise models built over the years became the mainstay of Lotus’ production for decades, because it represented the company’s unique character and potential without falling into the trap of doing much better in the style of the competition by investing more in power or equipment.

10. 2012 Tesla Model S

In the early 2010s, Tesla faced a key test could an electric vehicle appeal to more than just a handful of early adopters? The company had to establish that an electric car could be a desirable luxury vehicle that also offered everyday usability. The 2012 Tesla Model S was a major step towards that objective. It offered a blend of luxury, impressive performance, and electric driving range that challenged preconceived notions about battery-powered vehicles. The Model S was available with 40 to 100 kWh batteries, with the latter variants delivering a range of up to 405 miles. The Model S proved that electric vehicles could fulfill the more ambitious expectations of the luxury automobile industry.

Tesla Model S’s Industry Impact:

• Launched in 2012
• Battery options from 40-100 kWh
• Later range reached 405 miles
• 4,900 deliveries in Q1 2013
• Tesla’s first quarterly profit followed

Model S sales Tesla had delivered 4,900 units of Model S in the first quarter of 2013 as production ramped up. The all-electric sedan made an early success story for the independent automaker, delivering its first quarterly profit in Q1 2013. The Model S showed that an automaker committed exclusively to electric vehicles could thrive in the luxury car segment, and cemented Tesla’s claim to be a serious auto manufacturer and helped the industry as a whole move toward electrification. The sedan was not only part of Tesla’s bottom line, but also broke new ground in the public perception of all-electric cars, establishing what range and performance Tesla fans could expect from a dedicated electric car.