Plot Synopsis

THE CARS THAT BUILT THE WORLD is a four-part documentary series that chronicles the brilliant innovations and fierce rivalries that lead to the world's most iconic car brands, featuring the stories of Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Toyota, Honda, and more. The genius inventors behind these brands created new industries and established a freedom never imagined before the birth of the car. This new, two-night event travels around the globe showcasing stunning vehicles and the gifted, driven, cunning, sometimes cutthroat men and women who were instrumental in creating and pushing forward the most transformative technology of the 20th century. History Channel premieres back-to-back episodes from 9-11pm ET/PT on consecutive nights: Sunday, May 23 & Monday, May 24, 2021:

"Fueling Invention: (Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 9pm): Frustrated by the limitations of personal transportation, a select group of inventors set out to liberate humanity from their dependence on the horse by harnessing the power of the internal combustion engine. Karl Benz discovers a potent, portable fuel that sparks the invention of the car, leading rival Gottlieb Daimler to build a faster, more powerful engine. As the car slowly changes from expensive curiosity to essential technology, Charles Rolls, a man of privilege and an early car enthusiast, partners with brilliant engineer Henry Royce to build the greatest car in the world.

"Create a Market" (Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 10pm): As early car makers gain traction and the car becomes more than a curiosity, they struggle to create a market for their inventions and beat out their competitors. WWI interrupts the budding auto industry, but the demand for mechanized vehicles and more powerful airplane engines catapults car-making into a whole new era of power, paving the way for a new generation of engineers. W.O. Bentley's need for speed leads to a rivalry with Henry Royce, while Paul Daimler struggles to make a name for himself at his father's company

"Motorize the Masses" (Monday, May 24, 2021 at 9pm): As the Roaring Twenties bring cars to the American masses, Germany lags far behind -- and Japan struggles to modernize. The car could be the answer to the problems of both nations, as Adolf Hitler seeks a "people's car" to help pull Germany from an economic depression, and a small group of industrialists and upstarts see the car as the way to claim Japan's rightful place in the world. Then World War II changes everything.

"Winning the World Over" (Monday, May 24, 2021 at 10pm):As German and Japanese car makers attempt to recover from the devastation of World War II, the car takes on a renewed importance for both nations. In Germany, Ferry Porsche attempts to create the first accessible sports car using parts from their people's car. While in Japan, Honda and Toyoda must fight for the mere ability to manufacture cars, hoping to unlock the potential for future world domination.