Company overview
The Austin Motor Company Limited was established in 1905 by Herbert Austin, initially focusing on producing luxury vehicles. Following a merger with Morris Motors Limited in 1952, it formed British Motor Corporation (BMC), retaining the Austin marque. BMC’s successors, British Leyland and Rover Group, continued to use the Austin name until 1987. The trademark is currently owned by SAIC Motor, a Chinese firm, after acquiring it with MG Rover Group in 2005. Early production centered around the Austin Seven, a small car that gained popularity due to British taxation policies and was licensed for production by companies such as Datsun and Bantam. In 1952, the company merged with Morris Motors to form British Motor Corporation. The Austin-Healey sports car was a product of a partnership with Donald Healey, and the company introduced revolutionary front-wheel drive models in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the Mini. Later models included the Allegro and Metro, with the Metro proving a significant success in the 1980s.
