The fierce race to capture buyer attention has pushed car makers from around the world—China, the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, India, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam—to continually refine their designs and roll out new generations.
A study by engine1 examined 1,705 commercial models across 30 manufacturers. The findings show that not all brands chase constant updates. For instance, Tesla maintains versions of some cars that date back eight years, ranking second in the survey for the longevity of its lineup.
Two reference points framed the comparison: the start of December 2022 and the moment each model was introduced. Facelifts and midcycle restyles were not counted—only the debut of new generations was considered.
As of now, the youngest model in the analysis is the third-generation Chevrolet Montana, unveiled just last week. On the opposite end of the spectrum sits the Lada Niva Legend, first introduced in April 1977, marking the oldest product in the roster.
In summary, Lada emerges as the brand with the most extended overall lineup. The average age of its current models stands at about 18.9 years. Despite renewed momentum under former owner Renault in recent years, Lada has traditionally faced hurdles such as bureaucratic bottlenecks, slower innovation cycles, and a strong dependence on the domestic market.
Following closely, Tesla ranks second with an average model age around 7.8 years. The Model S debuted in 2009, the Model X followed in 2015, and the latest addition, the Model Y, arrived in 2019—nearly four years ago.
Third place in the study goes to the Indian manufacturer Mahindra, signaling a varied global landscape in generation turnover. The accompanying infographic highlights the brands with the newest lineups.
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A photograph: Engine1Marko Kovic / Unsplash