DeLorean Motor
- Industry: Automotive
- Founded: October 24, 1975
- Founder: John DeLorean
- Defunct: October 26, 1982
- Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan
- Products: DMC DeLorean
The DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was an American automobile manufacturer founded by John DeLorean in 1975. The company is best known for producing the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, which gained international fame as the time machine in the "Back to the Future" movie trilogy. Despite its initial hype and fanfare, the DeLorean Motor Company faced numerous challenges. Production delays, cost overruns, and quality issues plagued the company. In addition, John DeLorean himself faced legal troubles, including drug trafficking charges, which further damaged the company's reputation and financial stability.
In 1982, the DeLorean Motor Company filed for bankruptcy, and production of the DMC-12 was halted. Only around 9,000 DMC-12 cars were ever produced. However, the car's popularity continued to grow, fueled by its association with the "Back to the Future" films. In 1995, a British entrepreneur named Stephen Wynne acquired the remaining stock, parts, and trademarks of the DeLorean Motor Company and established the DeLorean Motor Company (Texas) in the United States. The company focused on providing parts, repairs, and restoration services for existing DeLorean owners.
The DeLorean Motor Company is remembered as an intriguing part of automotive history, primarily due to the enduring popularity of the DeLorean DMC-12 and its association with the "Back to the Future" films.
