German Car Zone

Founded in the 1920s, Bentley builds powerful and very expensive automobiles. The British company was purchased by Rolls-Royce in 1931. In 1998 Bentley was purchased by VW AG. Bentley makes some of the most exclusive automobiles in the world.

Italian born Ettore Bugatti produced his first car in 1899 at the age of 19. In 1909 he started his factory in Molsheim, Alsace. Bugattis were known for their advanced engineering in their premium road cars. The company's success culminated with driver Jean-Pierre Wimille winning the 24 hours of Le Mans twice (in 1937 with Robert Benoist and 1939 with Pierre Veyron). Volkswagen AG purchased the rights to produce cars under the Bugatti marque in 1998.

Although the cars are made in Spain, German carmaker Volkswagen is in the SEAT of power. A subsidiary of Germany's Volkswagen AG, SEAT (Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo) SA sells more than 400,000 passenger cars per year.

If you don't live in Europe chances are you won't be buying a SKODA. Once the Czech Republic's state carmaker, SKODA AUTO a.s. is now a subsidiary of Volkswagen.