Cars that Start with O: Only 1 Mass-Market Player Left
If you’re searching for cars that start with O, you’re exploring one of the rarer letters in the automotive world, with only 2 well-known names in it. There are a few performance-focused and historically significant car brands that start with O, as well as concept vehicles and regional models. From Italian race cars to classic American cruisers, here’s a list of notable cars starting with O and the companies behind them.
Oakland Motor Car Company (Defunct)
Oakland Motor Car Company was founded in Pontiac, Michigan in 1907 and acquired by General Motors 2 years later. Its luxury models were meant to compete with the Pontiac car brand, but it was shut down by 1931. Some of its famous models included the Model 40 (1909), the Model 50 V8 (1916), and the Model 212 All-American Sport Cabriolet (1928).
Ogle (Defunct)
Ogle was a short-lived British car brand founded by David Ogle in 1954, initially manufacturing household appliances, but starting building cars and pickups in 1959. The company’s SX1000 coupe based on the Mini was launched in 1962, but car production ended that same year after the death of David Ogle in a car crash at the age of 41.
Oldsmobile (Defunct)
For Americans, this is the most well-known car brand that starts with O. Oldsmobile was one of the oldest American automakers, founded way back in 1897 and owned by General Motors for most of its existence. It was known for innovation, producing the first mass-market automatic transmission called Hydra-Matic, and pioneering front-wheel drive in the 1960s. Famous Oldsmobiles include the Omega (’70s and ’80s), the 88 (one of the longest-running nameplates in GM history), the Aurora (a luxury sedan from the ’90s with a futuristic design), and the Cutlass (an iconic midsize coupe and sedan). The brand was discontinued in 2004, but its legacy remains strong among the short list of American cars that start with O.
O.S.C.A. (Officine Specializzate Costruzioni Automobili)
O.S.C.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer founded in 1947 by the Maserati brothers after they left their namesake company. O.S.C.A. focused on lightweight race cars and small-displacement engines that competed in endurance racing events, including Le Mans and Mille Miglia. Popular models included the:
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O.S.C.A. MT4 – a highly successful racing car in the 1950s
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O.S.C.A. 1600 GT – an elegant grand tourer with bodywork by Touring and Zagato
Though it’s no longer active, O.S.C.A. is an important part of Italian automotive history and a key entry among sports cars that start with O.
Ohta Jidosha
Ohta Jidosha Seizosho was a Japanese carmaker that operated from the ’30s to the ’50s. It produced small vehicles and sedans before eventually being absorbed by Tokyu Kurogane Industries. While it’s now defunct, Ohta played a role in Japan’s early post-war automotive industry.
Opel
Adam Opel founded his company in 1862, back when it still made sewing machines in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The company started producing bicycles in 1886 and automobiles in 1899. General Motors took full control of Opel in 1931 after having bought Vauxhall in 1925. PSA Peugeot Citroën of France acquired Opel in 2017 and PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis in 2021. Today, British Vauxhalls are rebadged European-market Opels, and Opels have also been rebranded as Holdens in Australia and Chevrolets in other markets.
Opperman
Opperman was a British microcar brand in the 1950s, best known for its 3-wheeled Opperman Unicar. The brand’s tiny engines and quirky designs were aimed at budget-conscious drivers in post-war Britain. Although it was short-lived, it’s a valid part of the historical list of car brands that start with O.
Otto
There have been several concepts and small companies under the name Otto, both as a brand and a model name. While none reached production on a global scale, they occasionally appear in historic vehicle collections on concept car lists. These obscure entries still count for something in the broader family of vehicles that start with O.
Other Cars Starting With O (Models & Nicknames)
Even if brand names are rare, there are a few additional car models that start with O:
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Opel Omega – a mid-size executive car sold in Europe, of which the “B” generation was badge-engineered as the Cadillac Catera in the US (red car below).
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Opel Olympia – a pre- and post-war small car from Germany
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Toyota Opa – a compact MPV sold in Japan in the early 2000s
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Isuzu Oasis – a rebadged version of the Honda Odyssey for the U.S. market
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Chevrolet Optra – The first-gen Daewoo Lacetti sedan built by GM-Daewoo in South Korea was sold as a Chevy Optra in many markets (gold car below).
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Kia Optima – Kia’s mid-size sedan that’s now called the K5 was sold as the Optima in the US until MY2020 (white car below).
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article
These models further expand the landscape of cars that start with the letter O.
FAQs
Q: What are the most popular cars that start with O?
A: Oldsmobile and Opel are among the most recognized cars that start with O, but of the two, only Opel still makes cars today, and is a popular brand with sales of around 400,000 units annually.
Q: Are there luxury cars that start with O?
A: Yes, Oldsmobile models such as the Aurora and the O.S.C.A. 1600 GT were positioned as premium or luxury vehicles in their respective eras.
Q: Are there any car brands still active that start with O?
A: Most car brands that start with O are either historic or niche, such as O.S.C.A., Opperman, or Ohta. Opel is by far the best-known carmaker with an O that still operates today.
Q: Is there an electric car that starts with O?
A: While there is no major electric car brand that starts with O, Opel has made a few concept EVs, like the Omega EV.
Final Thoughts
Although they are limited in number, cars that start with O carry a surprising amount of historical and racing significance, even if Opel is the only mass-market O brand left. From O.S.C.A.’s legendary performance on European tracks to Oldsmobile’s long-standing presence in American driveways, the letter O may not dominate modern showrooms, but it definitely holds its own in automotive heritage.
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