You can learn more about our selection of companies, including how they started and where they are today.
Porsche began as an engineering office in 1931 before building its first namesake sports car in 1948. Its history spans the 911, endurance racing, a difficult turnaround, SUV expansion and changing ownership.
Volkswagen began as a Nazi-sponsored vehicle project, emerged as a major postwar carmaker and grew into a multi-brand group. Its story also includes forced labor, a decisive product transition, emissions fraud and a difficult industrial transformation.
Nissan grew from early Japanese automobile businesses into an international manufacturer. Its history connects the Datsun name, the Z and GT-R sports cars, Renault’s 1999 investment, the LEAF and a new restructuring effort.
Honda grew from a postwar Japanese engine workshop into a maker of motorcycles, cars, and power products. Its history includes the Super Cub, Civic and Accord, overseas factories, safety challenges, and a major change in electric-vehicle strategy.
Toyota’s automotive story began inside a textile-machinery company before becoming a separate carmaker in 1937. Its development through the Toyota Production System, Corolla, overseas factories, Lexus, Prius, and later crises shaped the company operating today.
Amazon grew from Jeff Bezos’s online bookstore into a business spanning retail, seller services and cloud computing. Its history includes early losses, Prime and AWS, major acquisitions, and a leadership transition.
Patek Philippe began as a Geneva partnership in 1839. Its history spans new technical capabilities, a change in ownership during the Depression, the quartz era and four generations of Stern family leadership.
McKinsey & Company began as a management-accounting consultancy in 1926. Its history includes a consequential partnership split, the building of a global advisory business, expansion into AI, and scrutiny of its professional obligations.
LG Electronics grew from GoldStar’s radio and appliance business into an international electronics
manufacturer. Its history includes the LG rebrand, the troubled Zenith investment, OLED television development and a shift away from smartphones.
Logitech began in Switzerland in 1981 and built its name selling computer mice. Its history follows expansion into webcams and audio, costly ventures beyond the desktop, a design-led refocus, and shifting demand for work and gaming products.