1950 -- World War II veterans begin looking for the small cars they saw in Europe; European car makers begin sending microcars like the BMW Isetta and the Mini Cooper.
1955 -- Volkswagen produces its millionth Beetle, the first small car to gain popularity among US drivers. By 1963, Americans were waiting up to five months to purchase one.
1960 -- US manufacturers produce their first compact cars to compete with European imports, such as Ford's Falcon, Chrysler's Valiant, and Chevrolet's Nova.
1965 -- Ralph Nader pens "Unsafe at Any Speed," which characterizes the compact Chevy Corvair as prone to rollovers. He links 50,000 deaths a year to poorly designed cars. National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration is formed.
1973 -- Arab oil embargo creates an energy crisis. Americans begin snapping up small Japanese imports. US manufacturers find themselves out of step with their larger models; a recession also creates demand for economy cars.
1973 -- A tiny Honda Civic debuts with the slogan "It will get you where you're going."
1975 -- Small electric cars emerge. Sebring-Vanguard produces over 2,000 CitiCars; Elcar Corp. offers the Elcar. Neither makes significant inroads.
1981 -- Ford begins selling European-designed Escort, which becomes a top US seller.
1980s -- Japanese cars, once considered poorly made, begin to dominate US market.
1994 -- Volkswagen unveils prototype for a new Beetle; it arrives four years later.
2000 -- Following the Beetle's revival, BMW produces a larger, newly designed Mini Cooper in England.
2004 -- DaimlerChrysler, which collaborated with Swatch to create the tiny smart car, says it will offer an SUV version to the United States in 2006.
Sport utility vehicles
1950 -- GIs returning from World War II begin seeking out the Jeeps they drove in Europe and Asia. A post-war surplus of the vehicles helps to fuel this demand. Jeep remains the only player till 1960s.
1961 -- International Harvester introduces Scout, a competitor to the Jeep.
1965 -- Ford introduces Bronco, a smaller take on the Jeep and Scout. Marketed as a car for sportsman, it becomes a favorite of hunters.
1969 -- Chevrolet introduces Blazer, the first sport vehicle on a truck platform.
1970s -- Jeep Cherokee debuts to compete against more passenger-friendly sport vehicles; Ford Bronco makes the leap from smaller vehicle to full-size SUV on a truck platform. SUVs expand from Spartan sport vehicles to include more options and luxuries. Even the dowdy Suburban gets an overhaul.
1984 -- Toyota introduces 4Runner (for "4-wheel drive" and "off-road runner"). Along with Isuzu Trooper, Japanese manufacturers finally break into the SUV market.
1990 -- Ford's new Explorer arrives; it will become the decade's best-selling SUV, beating Jeep Cherokee two-to-one.
1991 --The Humvee, developed for the Army, is adapted for civilian use and renamed Hummer.
2000 -- Ford ends 100-year partnership with Firestone after families of victims killed or injured in rollover accidents caused by tread separation and other problems linked with SUV tires sue the companies for $590 million.
2004 -- Ford introduces Escape, a gas-electric hybrid.
Video: 
Coupon: