I decided to create a thread based on creating alternate histories of carmakers, year by year. Every person would write about one year. Usually, it would be following years, but in case of brands with a narrow portfolio certain years can (but don't have to) be skipped. The story does not need to begin at the brand's inception. Example: Volvo: Poster A: 1958: The company shows the all-new 182/184 coupe/sedan, with a 5.5 V8. It is designed to target the higher price end of the US fullsize segment at better quality than established brands. The car quickly takes the more quality-oriented end of the market, taking buyers from brands like Buick or Chrysler, and is a decent success in Europe. Poster B: 1960: Seeing the new car's success, the Swedish maker decides to introduce a convertible (182) and wagon (185), now also challenging the US brands in these segments and endangering the previously-solid position of GM Europe. etc. OK, so time to go: LaSalle: 1967: GM reintroduces that nameplate, trying to capture the youthful market of Euro car buyers at lower prices (but also slightly lower quality, although above traditional GM stuff). They begin by showing the Series 45 (competitor of Porsche 911, Triumph TR-6 and later Datsun 240Z, equipped with a 3.0 OHC I6), Series 50 (4.9 OHC V8 FWD competitor of Mercedes S-Class or Jaguar 420G) and Series 65 (big FWD personal luxury car with a 6.7 OHC V12, what was Cadillac Eldorado in our timeline; the Eldorado stayed a C-Body car). OK, what do you see next?
Zastava: In 1990 Zastava introduces Yugo Florida Sedan. Florida was proven to be a great success, with 95K examples sold in last two years. Sedan offers a larger boot and some luxury options, such as air conditioning, electrically operated windows, radio, etc. Sedan was oriented more to Western markets, and there it had stronger engines and automatic gearbox option too. In late 1991, Zastava introduced Yugo Florida Karavan (Wagon), which was first Zastava car of that type. It was pretty roomy car with loads of luggage space. It offered 1.7 Fiat diesel engine, which was introduced to the whole Florida range. At that time, Zastava was developing 3-door Florida and new B-segment car, which would be built on the same platform as Fiat Punto I, which would be introduced in 1994-1995. It was planned as replacement for Yugo Uno 45. From 1992 - 1995 Zastava was unable to produce cars in larger amounts, but was active on B-segment car introduction, which would be called Yugo Avala. 1995 saw the end of the sanctions and in March 1996 Zastava presented a new model Avala, right before Belgrade Car Show. It's a 5 door hatchback and 4 door sedan. Models shown on the car show had modified Yugo Florida suspension, and its 1.4 engine and gearbox. In the original plans, Avala should've had Fiat Punto mechanicals. Due to smaller production, only 90 Avalas were sold in 1996, mainly to police and state. In 1997 Fiat bought 40% of actions in Zastava and invested 200M DM in modernization. That year Avala receives Punto mechanicals and engines. Fiat exports Yugo Avala to Italian market as Zastava Avala, which would be cheaper than Punto. Up to late 1998 Zastava has produced more than 300K cars, thanks to investments. During NATO bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999, Fiat prevented the destroying of Zastava factory in Kragujevac. After the of it, Fiat donated 10M DM to Kragujevac city for repairing the damage. Earlier Fiat planned to produce Punto II in Kragujevac for Eastern European markets, with its start in 1999. That was moved to 2000, when it was launched. In 2001 Zastava simply rebadged the Punto for domestic market, as Zastava 10. Later in 2001, Zastava engaged French design firm Heuliez, for facelift of Florida, Yugo and Avala. That 3 facelifts were introduced on Belgrade Car Show 2002. Facelifts also added 'In' suffix to that 3 model names. In 2005 Zastava presents restyled 10, which is, in fact, restyled Punto. That year Zastava negotiated with GM for production of Opel Astra G, as Zastava 20, successor to now old Florida. Fiat didn't like GM incorporating in Zastava, so they offered them to produce a rebadged Stilo as 20, in all body styles. Zastava accepted that, and next year they started the production. In 2007 Zastava presents 2 new models, 20 Sedan and facelifted 10. 20 Sedan was based on Stilo Hatch, with new roof and rear end. It aimed at Eastern European, Ex Soviet Republics, North African and some Asian markets, where it was exported, and proved to be a great success. Facelifted 10 had a new bumpers, grille, tailights (with transparent indicators) and new interior. Zastava duscounted 101 in 2008, which was available only in one trim level (with large bumpers and 14" alloy wheels). In 2009, Zastava made a facelift of most of its model range; Avala, Yugo and Florida in S versions, and restyled 20. Before S restyling, Avala, Yugo and Florida were available in 4 trim levels: In (basic), In L (basic, but with Peugeot engines), In E (with better equipment, airbags, ABS, etc.) and In LE (with better equipment and Peugeot engines). 20 facelift changed the front and rear end, also and interior. That year Zastava stopped the production of 3 door 20. In 2012 Zastava discounts the old 10, Yugo and Avala, and introduces new 10, based on Fiat Grande Punto, but with new body. 20 receives a new facelift, with more improvements and design changes. Fiat starts the production of new 500L in Kragujevac. Florida now stays the cheapest model in the lineup. In 2015 Fiat buys 30% plus actions in Zastava, and becomes majority owner of it. Right after they discount Florida and 20. In 2016 they introduced 2 new models: Coral (just a facelifted and renamed 10) and Scala (sedan and liftback version of Coral). Fiat positioned Zastava as low cost brand on market, as a Renault's Dacia rival. In summer 2017 Zastava lauched new Florida, based on Fiat Tipo platform. It's available as hatchback, sedan and wagon. During next year Zastava is going to launch its first SUV, Dacia Duster's rival. It may be a lot of text, but it's interesting.
You might not have gotten the memo, but posters are supposed to continue the story of the company from the OP (in this case, LaSalle).
Oh, I did forget, sorry. --- Post updated --- 1970: Launch of the 2 cars (Series 25 - compact and Series 35 - mid-size). Compact would be competitor to sporty sedans, such as BMW 2002 and similar cars, while 35 aimed at Mercedes W115, BMW larger New Class Sedan, etc. What did they do after?
1971: They launched the Series 75 (E-segment), which was inspired by the 7th gen Bel Air, but was made to compete against the P6 and other executive vehicles around Western Europe during that time. The next vehicle they would release would be...
1971: The Series 65 gets a new generation to keep up with the Lincoln Continental Mark III, and manages to beat it it its own game. A new car, Series 55, is released with the 50's V8 or 65's V12 to fight cars like the Mercedes SL, Jaguar E-Type 2+2 or Jensen Interceptor. It becomes a decent competitor in the segment. The Series 25 becomes the platform donor for the Chevrolet Vega, while the 35's chassis is used by the new Camaro and Firebird. Competitor to W114 and New Class. This segment includes the P6.
(Thanks for the clarification) 1975: The Series 25 gets a refresh facelift, while the Series 45 and the Series 50 got a new generation. But the stocks of the company started to fall around '75 while Opel was succeeding in sales.
1976: The quality issues of Bolger's alloy head designs become apparent. GM gives buyers rebates on new cars, while changing the designs to cast iron. The new designs show up in the 2nd gen Series 55, now also with a smaller 4.0 V8 from the 45 and 50, and the refreshed Series 35, as well as its Camaro/Firebird brethren. Following the fuel crisis, the Series 15 debuts. It's a small 2-door coupe with an optional targa top, based on the Opel Kadett, but meant to rival the Mercury Capri, Ford Mustang II and Dodge Swinger (Mitsubishi Galant-based) subcompact coupes. While some see it as "cheapening", it becomes quite popular and attracts fresh buyers to the marque, helping its solvency.
1978: LaSalle launches Allegheny, new mid-size SUV, Jeep Grand Wagoneer competitor. All engines were brand new, as well as 3.5 V6, which had its debut in this car. In the beginning, it was instant success with more than 200K examples sold. Next?
1980: The Series 25 and 15 get a new generation again, while the Series 55 was refreshed with a facelift. But on September 19th, a devastating event hit the company hard and cursed them for the rest of the company's run-time . On that day, one of the biggest production plants for LaSalle located in Unterschleißheim caught on fire and the plant was almost entirely destroyed. Almost all of their cars halted production after the event (except for the Allegheny, Series 15, Series 55, and the Series 45). This also hit them financially as well (since the majority of their cars had their production on pause).
1981: The financial trouble the company is going through gets blamed on temporary trouble, and new models keep being greenlit. The company is now aimed at the Japanese makers in its lower sectors (though the 45 was already targeted at the 280ZX, and part of the 15's main competion were cars like the Toyota Corolla SR5 or Honda Civic) with the next Series 25 planned to use FWD and fight the Honda Accord, and the Series 15 scheduled to be more mainstream like a Corolla or Civic. The Series 35 and 65 get new generations, and both stay with their FWD and RWD drivetrains - in the former case, it's done to share platforms with the Camaro/Firebird, although with the other cars being built cheaper. The new 35 also gets a wagon version to fight cars like the Cressida, 245 or S123, while the 65 regains a convertible model.
1983: As their financial issues started to get worse, they did decide to release another 4x4 vehicle (as a competitor to the G-Class).... the Series 105. Luckily, the Series 105 did get some decent sales (though it died out 7 years later after introduction due to the economical problems in the company). Along with that, the mainstream-focused generation for the Series 15 was released, along with the FWD Accord-competitor Series 25.
1985: A new Series 55 is released, and quickly becomes one of the brand's profit drivers, as it brings a new, multilink platform to the table in a world where the oldest of the key competitors (Mercedes SL R107) has not been updated for 13 years, and the newest (Porsche 928) - for 7 years. The Series 45, sharing its platform, becomes an important player in the sports market, fighting cars like the Porsche 944, Nissan 300ZX or Toyota Supra. After that, the Series 15 and 25's spiritual successors, as well as a planned midsize SUV and small roadster, are slated to become Pontiacs, while LaSalle will bring its quality game up (partially to make room for Cadillac's expansion, partially to fight the Germans and Japanese better). While another Series 25 is considered, it is more of a BMW E30 than Honda Accord-style car, and the upcoming Series 50's development is more pressing.
1988: The new Series 25 finally comes out, which did get better sales than a few other vehicles. But the financial problems are still getting worse, and they would happen to die out in just a few more years. The Series 105 got a late refresh in 1988 as well, just a few years before the car's end of production.
1989: Following long development delays after an attitude change towards high quality, the new Series 50 comes out. It manages to outshine the Lexus LS400's debut and shows that LaSalle is seriously trying to be the new "world's standard". Despite the car's high price, its high profit margin allows LaSalle to flourish again and have enough money for making sure the final touches on the new Allegheny and Series 35 are well done, and that the development of the new 65 gets good funding.
1990: The Series 105 finally dies out, and the Allegheny fills in the SUV slot for their line-up. That model did get better sales than the Series 105, and they were able to release the new Series 35 as well (which was almost as successful as the Allegheny). Although they were able to bump up their finances in early May, but a recall in late July hit the company back to a economic downfall. The new Series 65 was planned to appear in next year's Geneva Car Show and was planned to release around Dec. 1991 and Jan. 1992.
1992: A new Series 65 is shown, slightly delayed due to upgrades done to one-up the BMW 8-Series. In the same year, the V sub-brand, with high-performance variants of the Series 25, 35 and 65 (plus next 45 and 55 planned), debuts. However, due to a rush to improve the cars, buyers complain about reliability woes, which becomes part of Wall Street Journal's gearheaddom canon market analysis, "The Car Engineering Bubble", which showed how luxury brands (including Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover pumped with Ford money, and Lamborghini and Maserati with Chrysler cash) try to one-up each other, at the expense of lower quality non-luxury models, reliability, affordability of the cars and R&D costs destroying profit margins, and how post-bubble Japanese makers were putting themselves in debt by pumping money into luxury models. However, the war of luxury still continued, with makers pouring money into further refinement and new technologies, like hardtop convertibles, carbon fiber, hybrids or camless valvetrains.
