The U.S. auto industry ranks second in car production, behind only China. Since the 1890s, approximately 1,900 large and small car manufacturers have operated in the country, but some have since merged into larger corporations. As a result, the so-called “Big Three” have dominated the market and own numerous automobile brands. They are Ford Motor Company, Stellantis North America, and General Motors, the Detroit-based leaders in annual sales. Because of their financial strength, they are among the few who survived the Great Depression.
What are American automobile brands?
The most influential American automakers are the “Big Three,” giants of the automotive market. They are Fiat Chrysler US, Ford, and General Motors. They own many US-manufactured car brands.
Popular Car Brands
U.S. automakers have influenced social status in the market in different ways. While General Motors initially focused on luxury models, Ford sought to make cars universally available. This marked the beginning of the automotive industry’s mass market. The “big three” and lesser-known brands represent the low-cost car segment.
Ford
Ford is a brand belonging to one of the largest automakers in the United States. It was founded in 1903, when Henry Ford remodeled his factory and incorporated the Ford Motor Company. It is a family business that was inherited. The company offers a wide range of cars and markets in different countries.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet is a General Motors division that produces mass-market cars. Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant founded its predecessor, the Chevrolet Motor Car Company, in 1911. The founders disagreed over design, so Louis sold his share and quit. The brand, named after him, still exists and holds world sales records.
Jeep
The Italian-American company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., registered in the Netherlands, manufactures Jeep cars. Stellantis North America, one of the “big three,” owns the brand. The first Jeep prototype appeared in 1940. Engineer Carl Probst created the Bantam BRC for the U.S. Army.
GMC
Various GMC van, truck, pickup truck, and SUV models are represented. General Motors manufactured them; it was one of the U.S.’s top three automakers. Previously, Max Grabowski owned GMC, then known as the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company.
Buick
The Buick brand is named after airship inventor and salesman David Dunbar Buick, who built his first automobile in 1908 and founded the Buick Motor Company in 1903. In 1908, the company became part of General Motors and has remained a division ever since. It focuses on relatively inexpensive mid-size cars.
Dodge
The Dodge brand was founded in 1900 and became part of Chrysler 14 years later. It is part of the Fiat-Chrysler LLC concern, which Stellantis North America owns. Until 1914, the Dodge plant produced components for passenger cars. It is a popular brand of passenger cars, minivans, and crossovers.
RAM
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles introduced the RAM pickup truck in 1981. The first generation of vehicles was based on Dodge pickup trucks and featured a different design. The second generation appeared in 1994. It offered increased payload capacity. Subsequent lines used different equipment and were continually improved.
Luxury Car Brands
The “big three” of the American car industry compete in the luxury car market. Stellantis North America includes Chrysler in this segment; Ford Motor Company includes Lincoln; and General Motors includes Cadillac. Their cars are recognized as high-status symbols.
Cadillac
Cadillac is one of the oldest automobile brands on the planet. This company was founded in 1902 and became the first manufacturer of high-end cars in the United States. Since 1909, it has been a part of the General Motors concern. Luxury cars such as Cadillacs are in high demand in North America and are also sold worldwide, with sales in 50 countries.
Lincoln
Lincoln was a major division of Ford Motor Company, an independent automobile manufacturer, until 1922. Its creator, engineer Henry Leland, wanted to produce luxury cars, but he sold the business because of financial constraints. He named the brand Lincoln after his favorite political figure, Abraham Lincoln.
Chrysler
Chrysler produces high-performance cars that are famous in America and beyond. This brand name was established in 1925 and is owned by Stellantis North America. Advanced designs and its tiered pricing have made the Chrysler brand incredibly popular. Recently, the manufacturer has focused on the luxury segment.
Fusion Motor Company
This American company was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 2012. It is a dealership that offers a range of top-of-the-line luxury cars. Its specialty blends old and new, foreign and domestic, as the name “Fusion” suggests. The brand collaborates with celebrities and other high-profile figures to offer a diverse yet exclusive range of luxury cars.
Electric Car Brands
Only a few companies produce electric cars in the U.S. However, they still occupy many automotive market segments, from full-size, incredibly powerful vehicles (including SUVs) to small, high-performance hatchbacks. They conquer not only with advanced technologies but also with super-stylish design.
Tesla
Tesla is the world’s most famous electric car manufacturer. It is named after physicist and inventor Nikola Tesla. Two entrepreneurs incorporated the Tesla Motors brand in 2003. Elon Reeve Musk, the company’s current owner, made most of the investments. The first Roadster model was presented in 2006.
Karma
Karma Automotive, a privately held company, specializes in producing luxury electric vehicles. It was created in 2015 after Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy. Karma’s first car, Revero, debuted in 2016.
Lucid
Lucid Motors was founded in 2007, but as of 2021, it had not produced any cars. It lacks sufficient funds to fully enter the market. Lucid’s plant, estimated to cost $700 million, is under construction. Once completed, the manufacturer will release its first luxury sedan, the Air. This electric car is expected to compete directly with Tesla.
Faraday Future
The startup Faraday Future was named after the fundamental law of electromagnetism. Its founder, Jia Yueting, had big plans to produce electric cars despite limited funding. In January 2021, the company’s executives announced that it was joining Property Solutions Acquisition Corp.
Brammo
Brammo Corporation produces electric motorcycles and traction motors. In 2015, Polaris Industries took over the motorcycle business, and two years later, Cummins acquired the remaining assets. Brammo’s history includes automobiles such as the Enertia GT, a battery-electric vehicle.
Truck Brands (Heavy and Medium-duty)
The United States has a substantial long-haul trucking industry, but few manufacturers. Companies that produce legendary heavy equipment include Marmon-Herrington, Sterling, Brockway, Autocar, Mack, Western Star, Caterpillar, Freightliner, and Kenworth, all well-known brands with years of experience.
Freightliner
The first Freightliner truck appeared in 1942. The logistics company Consolidated Freightways operated the first line of heavy vehicles. Subsequently, the carrier was forced to sell its automobile brand to Daimler AG, which it remains part of.
Peterbilt
Peterbilt tractor-trailers and ballast trucks are manufactured at the company’s plants in St. Theresa, Canada, and in Denton and Madison, USA. Paccar Corporation owns the company.
Kenworth
Founded in 1912, Kenworth was formerly called Gerlinger Motor Car Works and sold automobiles. Its production began in 1915. Edgar C. Worthington and Captain Frederick Kent then purchased it. The new owners renamed the company in their honor, taking the first few letters from their names.
International
International Harvester once owned the International brand and manufactured cars, farm equipment, and trucks. After selling its agricultural division, the company was renamed Navistar International and focused exclusively on trucks.
Mack
Mack is considered one of the oldest companies in the United States. Fallen & Berry founded it in 1900. This plant previously produced vans and carriages, but after a rebrand, it began producing buses and trolleybuses. Mack is now a world-renowned heavy-truck manufacturer.
Western Star
Western Star was formerly a division of the White Motor Company. It was founded in 1967, and DaimlerChrysler acquired it in 2000. Western Star is currently based in Portland.
Sports Car Brands
Sports cars manufactured in the USA are considered among the best in the world. Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette models are especially popular because they have proven themselves as top performers in the market. High demand for sports cars is driven by their technical excellence, extensive features, and rapid advancements.
Ford Mustang
Ford Motor Company has been producing the Ford Mustang since 1964. The first model was a modified Ford Falcon. It was a futuristic roadster. The sixth generation appeared in 2015. The newest model is a pony car with improved dynamics.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette was the first sports car an American manufacturer produced. General Motors owns the primary automotive assembly plant in Bowling Green, established in 1953 to produce a white roadster.
Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper two-seat sports cars were produced from 1992 through 2017. The first roadster was produced at the New Mack Assembly plant. Its design owes much to the Mitsubishi 3000GT and Tom Gale, who worked with Chrysler.
VLF
VLF Automotive is a small, privately owned company founded in 2012 as VL Automotive. A year later, it introduced its first model, the Destino sedan. In 2016, the company was renamed after Henrik Fisker joined.
Vector
Vector cars are manufactured by Vector Motors Corporation, which has a historical association with Vehicle Design Force. Gerald Wiegert founded the company. The brand introduced its first sports car in 1989.
Panoz
Panoz produces high-tech cars under the Panoz brand. These limited-edition sports cars include racing and road-going versions of the Esperante. Panoz Auto Development was founded in 1989 and named after its founder, Dan Panoz, a pharmacist’s son.
Supercar Brands
American supercars are powerful and comfortable cars. Well-known companies have produced them for a long time, while lesser-known ones have emerged more recently. The former includes Hennessey and SSC; the latter includes Rezvani and Trion.
Hennessey
Hennessey Performance Engineering has been modifying sports cars since 1991. The tuning studio aims to enhance car performance by optimizing mechanical components. The most famous models are the Venom 650R, Venom GT, and Venom F5.
SSC
SSC stands for Shelby Super Cars. The company positions itself as a manufacturer of the world’s fastest production cars. Its lineup includes two supercar models: the SSC Tuatara and the SSC Ultimate Aero.
Saleen
Saleen Corporation was founded in 1983 by a former race car driver. It began with car tuning and, in the 2000s, shifted to small-scale production of race and sports cars. Recently, Saleen has modified popular Toyota and General Motors cars.
Rossion
Based in Florida, Rossion Automotive is best known for its Q1 sports car, produced between 2008 and 2018. It was based on the Noble M400, which the manufacturer licensed in 2007. In 2013, a track-only version of the Q1, the Rossion Q1R, appeared. It is recognized as one of the world’s rarest cars, with only a few copies remaining.
Trion
Trion Supercars Group was founded in 2012 and planned to release its first car in 2021, introducing a full-scale concept model in four variants.
Rezvani
Rezvani Motors is a sports car manufacturer founded in 2014. Its main project is the Beast, a sports car based on the Ariel Atom. It 3D-prints the mirrors, headlights, and other automotive components.
Commercial Vehicles Brands
In addition to the “big three” leading the automotive market (Ford Motor Company, Stellantis North America, and General Motors), other major manufacturers operate in the United States. For example, Paccar Corporation manufactures heavy trucks, and Navistar specializes in them.
General Motors
General Motors is one of the so-called “big three” automobile manufacturers in the United States. The largest corporation was formed in 1908 through the merger of smaller companies. After bankruptcy proceedings at the beginning of the XXI century, it was revived, but the old GM was renamed Motors Liquidation Company.
Paccar
Paccar represents the automotive industry, more specifically, the heavy truck industry. It owns several subsidiaries, including DAF Trucks, Peterbilt, and Kenworth.
Navistar
Navistar is the successor to International Harvester, the oldest truck manufacturer, founded in 1902. In addition to trucks, the company currently produces armored vehicles, buses (including school buses), and Ford V8 engines. The company is headquartered in Warrenville, Illinois.
IC Bus
IC Bus is a Navistar subsidiary. It entered the market in 2002, but two predecessors preceded it: AmTran and Ward Body Works. The company specializes in school and commercial buses.
Defunct Car Brands
Mercury
Mercury is a Ford Motor Company division that includes trucks and cars. Ford established the brand in 1938 to design and produce its own vehicles. Over time, however, its cars increasingly resembled Ford models, ultimately eroding Mercury’s identity and independence. In its final years, the manufacturer collaborated with Lincoln. Together, they formed one branch of Lincoln-Mercury. This continued until 2011, when the brand’s last car rolled off the assembly line. At that moment, Mercury’s history ended, along with its white-gray logo: a double circle with three curved lines inside. As with many other automakers, these stripes symbolized speed and movement.
Pontiac
The Pontiac automobile company took its name from a U.S. historical figure. It is named after an Indian chief who fought against the colonists. Indeed, it was originally known as the horse-drawn wagon manufacturer Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works. Later, the name changed, and the company added passenger cars to the line. The company introduced its first automobile in 1907. From then on, the company produced Oakland models until 1926, when it released a car under its brand name. This year is considered Pontiac’s official founding year.
The company produced various models but eventually went bankrupt. In 2010, its dealer contracts expired. However, the brand’s logo often draws speculation because it closely resembles the U.S. Space Force emblem. It features a red-and-silver three-dimensional delta symbol with a four-pointed star. It appears the space community’s designers simply inverted this sign.
Saturn
General Motors owned many divisions, including Saturn. The brand operated independently of the parent company, with its own sales network and production line. It was also guided by a personal concept articulated in 1985. The project’s core goal was to produce compact cars. They were in demand, but General Motors considered the existing sales volume insufficient. Dissatisfaction grew to the point that GM executives tried to sell Saturn to Penske Holdings. As a result, the deal collapsed, and the brand was declared bankrupt. Experts do not rule out the possibility that it could still recover, and that cars adorned with red-and-silver square logos featuring Saturn rings will return to the market soon.
Hummer
The Hummer was based on the military vehicle, the HMMWV. Developers made it civilian so U.S. Army servicemen and fans of reliable, highly passable off-road vehicles could drive it. General Motors took over Hummer production, but after sales declined, it discontinued the brand. It found no buyers, and in 2010, GM completely liquidated the famous division. In memory of Hummer, only the brand sign remained, looking as monolithic as the cars themselves. The inscription is painted black and uses bold letters with contrasting stroke thicknesses.
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile is an automobile brand with a 107-year history. Inventor Ransom Eli Olds founded Olds Motor Works in 1897. Soon, the owner left the business because of financial difficulties. General Motors Corporation saw Oldsmobile as promising enough to acquire and continue expanding its model range. The manufacturer strove for technical perfection, constantly improving components from V8 engines to automatic transmissions. However, the success was short-lived: in the 1990s, the company lost the rights to its developments, and in 2000, General Motors representatives announced the brand’s liquidation. The last Oldsmobile sedan was released in 2004. It bore the signatures of all assembly participants, along with a silver oval logo crossed out by a diagonal line.
Plymouth
The automaker Plymouth dates back to 1928. For many years, it was part of the Chrysler Corporation, and its logo featured the Mayflower, the ship that carried the British to America to establish the Plymouth Colony. The brand existed until 2001. During this time, the company produced many cars and even surpassed Ford in sales. The company experienced mixed success, but by the early 1990s, it was losing ground. Production dropped sharply, and the division became unprofitable. Chrysler Corporation liquidated it in 2001.
American Motors
American Motors is a defunct corporation that once occupied a niche in the automobile market with its small, full-size, and mid-size models. Four small companies (Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, and Nash) created it to compete with the “Big Three” of the American auto industry. In the mid-1980s, American Motors struggled financially, and in 1987, Chrysler bought all of the brand’s shares. A promising start led to an unexpected outcome: the car brand was reorganized as Jeep Eagle Corporation and fully merged into Jeep. The original name and logo, a red triangle on a blue rectangle, disappeared forever.
Rambler
The Rambler brand has had many owners, from Thomas B. Jefferies, who created it in 1900, to American Motors Corporation. The brand periodically withdrew from the automobile market and finally left the U.S. in 1969. It continued shipping products overseas until 1983, when it became clear the project wasn’t generating significant profits. The last time the rounded Rambler logo with a handwritten “R” was used was on cars produced in Mexico.
DeLorean
The DeLorean company was founded in 1975 and ceased to exist after seven years, as its owner was accused of drug trafficking. During this time, the manufacturer produced only one sports car, which became famous after the movie Back to the Future, in which a brilliant scientist turned a DeLorean car into a time machine.
The brand went bankrupt after a conflict between its creator, John Zachary DeLorean, and General Motors. As you know, John worked at GMC and, after his dismissal, published a revealing book about the auto giant’s internal problems. As a result, a drug trafficking case was fabricated against him, after which he lost the support of investors. The entrepreneur was found not guilty, but by then, he had no funds left. Today, an independent company owns the DeLorean name and brand. The logo has never changed; it resembles the black abbreviation DMC (from DeLorean Motor Company) with stylized mirrored letters.
Studebaker
The Studebaker Corporation was named after its founders, the German Stutenbecker family. They were blacksmiths and, in 1852, opened a workshop to produce carts, wagons, and other vehicles. In the early 1900s, the company made automotive history worldwide by producing electric-powered wagons. It survived the financial crisis but couldn’t compete with automotive giants that began lowering prices after the war. In the 1960s, rumors circulated about Studebaker’s impending closure. This discouraged buyers, who feared losing their car warranty. Low demand was the final blow: in 1967, the company was disbanded. Its last logo was a red-and-blue circle divided by a wavy silver stripe.
Willys-Overland
The Willys-Overland Automobile Company was formed in 1908 from the Overland Automotive Division and ceased to exist in 1953, when it was merged into Kaiser Motors. In 45 years, it manufactured luxury cars, took a leading position in the military industry, and focused on trucks and all-terrain vehicles. The company produced cars under three brands: Jeep, Overland, and Willys. Willys-Overland’s main emblem was a black-and-white monogram: a “W” superimposed over an “O.”
DeSoto
The Chrysler Corporation owned the DeSoto brand, which Walter Percy Chrysler created in 1928. Initially, car sales were high, but they declined sharply in the late 1950s. The brand failed to adapt to market trends, which contributed to its closure. In 1961, DeSoto ceased operations, and Chrysler used its models as the basis for the Newport. Recently, the manufacturer used a logo featuring Hernando de Soto, who once explored American territory. The portrait of the Spanish navigator was painted in silver and placed inside a red circle.
Edsel
Ford Motor Company acquired the Edsel brand to fill a niche between Pontiac and Dodge. Ford planned the project as a full-fledged division with its own factories and sales network. However, after a large-scale advertising campaign, it became clear that the Edsel cars, marketed as revolutionary and new, were ordinary and failed to meet buyers’ high expectations. Sales initially declined, and by 1961, the brand had withdrawn from the market.
Marketers named the car brand after Edsel Ford. Later, it was revealed that Henry Ford II categorically did not want his father’s name associated with the wheels. However, because his opinion was not considered, they approved the name and made it the basis for the logo: a white letter “E” inside a green circle, surrounded by concentric rings.
Packard
The Packard brand’s origin is legendary. Some believe its creator built his first car to demonstrate his engineering skills and get a job at Winton. Another version says he criticized Winton’s car and received a response in the spirit of “do it better if you can.” Either way, Packard was founded in 1899 and outlived Winton by several decades. He bet on the luxury segment but was forced to switch to more affordable brands during the economic crisis. The company was closed after the controversial purchase of Studebaker and the production of unsuccessful models that failed to meet demand. Officially, it ceased operations in 1962, but in reality, it was 1958. Only an oval Victorian-style logo depicting a red shield and a golden swan recalls the former luxury.
Hudson
The Hudson Motor Car Company entered the automobile market in 1909. It was named after a department store owner who became its main investor. The automaker used technological innovation, which helped it rank third behind Chevrolet and Ford in 1925. In the postwar era, the “golden age” entered decline as small companies such as Hudson found it increasingly difficult to compete with the so-called “big three.” The crisis led to Nash-Kelvinator’s acquisition of the brand in 1954 and the virtual cessation of its operations. The old company logo featured an inverted tetrahedron, heraldic towers, two ships, and the word “HUDSON” on a red shield.
Kaiser
The Kaiser Corporation existed for less than a decade but produced several successful models with distinctive designs. It ceased operations in 1953 after merging with Willys-Overland. In recent years, the company has produced more cars than it has sold because consumers have focused on the Big Three: Chrysler, Ford, and GM. The black-and-white Kaiser logo, featuring the buffalo and the letter “K,” will remain a memorable image in American automobile history.
Tucker
Tucker was founded in the post-war era to offer Americans an affordable, stylish, modern automobile: the Tucker-48. American engineer Preston Thomas Tucker already had experience in the automobile industry, so his new project seemed very promising, and he even received a government loan. With borrowed funds, the entrepreneur bought the world’s largest factory to begin mass-producing automobiles quickly. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler recognized that a strong competitor was entering the market and sued Tucker, alleging financial fraud. After the acquittal, the brand’s owner went bankrupt. The automobile company was closed in 1951. Its emblem resembled an oval coat of arms featuring heraldic animals, a shield, and a ribbon bearing the inscription “Tucker.”
Stutz
The Stutz Motor Car Company produced sports cars for racing from 1911 to 1924. One of its sports cars even set a new world speed record. Then, they added luxury cars adorned with a round emblem featuring blue wings and the stylized word “STUTZ.” The inside was red, and the outside had a wide white stripe with the words “Indianapolis, Indiana. USA.” In 1939, the company went bankrupt and was liquidated.
Pierce-Arrow
The company Pierce-Arrow entered the automobile market in 1901. The company had already existed, but it had previously produced gold bird cages. It later added bicycles to the product line. Over time, Pierce-Arrow luxury cars became a must-have for nobles. Royalty kept at least one model in its fleet. The same was true of tycoons and Hollywood stars. As a result, the round logo, featuring an antique archer and an arrow, became known worldwide. The company didn’t offer inexpensive cars, and its expensive models sold slowly. The Pierce-Arrow story ended in 1938, though enthusiasts attempted to revive the brand in the 2000s.
Duesenberg
Duesenberg luxury cars became prestigious status symbols, and its sports cars won many races. However, this didn’t save the company from liquidation; it closed in 1937 after only 24 years. Currently, collectors seek Duesenberg cars, and several hundred remain in circulation. The logo, featuring a golden eagle, the inscription “DUESENBERG STRAIGHT,” and the blue numeral “8,” remains associated with wealth and luxury.
Fisker
Fisker Automotive is known for its hybrid electric cars, which it has produced since 2008. The company relies on progressive development and has even prevailed in a lawsuit brought by Tesla Motors, which accused it of misappropriating technology. The brand’s most famous vehicle is the Fisker Karma, a luxury sports sedan. Production halted after its battery supplier went bankrupt. In 2014, Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy. Its owner, Henrik Fisker, retained all trademark rights, including the logo featuring two semicircles in red and blue, a white ring, and a black inscription reading “FISKER.” He subsequently used the name and logo for his new company, Fisker Inc.
Mosler
Entrepreneur, politician, and economist Warren Mosler began assembling cars in 1985. He named his company Consulier Industries and made the star of the sports-car lineup for professional racing. In 1993, a special division, Mosler Automotive, was opened. It introduced several additional sports models that were ultra-lightweight, luxurious, and incredibly fast. These cars won prestigious competitions. However, Mosler ceased operations in 2013 because of marketing errors. A symbol suggested the high speed of sports cars: a stylized black letter “M” resembling a lightning bolt. It was inside a yellow shield with a narrow base and the inscription “MOSLER.”
Sterling
The Sterling car company, known for its oval logo and elongated silver “S,” entered the North American market in 1987. Under Austin Rover Cars of North America, it sold sedans and hatchbacks based on the Rover 800 series. Initially, customers appreciated that all models came with genuine wood trim. However, drawbacks soon emerged: corrosion, poor paintwork, and electronic failures. These problems led the brand to leave the U.S. car market in 1991.
Eagle
The long-forgotten Eagle symbol is a black-and-white logo depicting a heraldic shield and a raven’s head. This automaker ceased operations in 1999, ending production of luxury and sports cars. It began in 1988 as the Jeep-Eagle Division, which Chrysler created at American Motors Corporation.
Geo
In 1989, General Motors opened the Geo division to produce compact and subcompact cars. The manufacturer relied on low prices and quality assembly. Suzuki and Toyota also helped create the brand, so the project initially seemed promising. However, the brand ended in 1997, when GM, disappointed by low demand, closed it and transferred rights to all models to Chevrolet. Since then, the cars have been sold under different names. They no longer feature the red “Geo” emblem with parallels and meridians inside the letter “o.”
Merkur
Merkur is considered one of the shortest-lived brands in the American auto industry, lasting only four years. The brand was created to meet consumer demand for European-made cars, as similar trends were seen in the North American automobile market in the early 1980s. Ford Motor Company also designed the Merkur for the luxury segment. Production was in West Germany, so car prices fluctuated with exchange-rate volatility. Ford management considered demand for Merkur cars insufficient and, in 1989, decided to discontinue the brand. Buyers didn’t have time to get used to the black-and-white logo, stylized as a radiator grille bearing the inscription “MERKUR.”
International Harvester
International Harvester made buses, tractors, trucks, SUVs, and pickup trucks famous worldwide. The company didn’t emerge from nothing; it was established in 1902 through the merger of two agricultural machinery companies. After acquiring another competitor, McCormick Harvesting Machine Company rebranded as International Harvester. This name appeared on the logo. It featured a red-and-black “IH” monogram at the top and the words “International Harvester” in bold at the bottom. Following the strike, the firm went bankrupt and was acquired by Tenneco, Inc. The new owner closed it down in 1985.
Hupmobile
Hupmobiles debuted in the Hupp Motor Car Company’s lineup in 1909 and immediately drew public attention, earning a compliment from Henry Ford. The demand for this brand’s roadsters increased substantially, prompting the manufacturer to expand the plant. Then the owners decided to turn the budget subcompact Hupmobile into a large, expensive car. In their pursuit of profit, they lost their regular customers. Over time, Hupp Motor Car Company experienced internal problems stemming from shareholder disagreements. The company lost its plants, deliveries slowed, and customers began to refuse orders. The last car with the black handwritten Hupmobile logo rolled off the assembly line in 1939.
Detroit Electric
Battery-powered electric motors drove Detroit Electric cars. Doctors and women drove them primarily because starting conventional internal-combustion cars by hand was difficult. Detroit Electric’s golden era began in the 1910s, when gasoline prices rose. Even philanthropist John Davison Rockefeller Jr. and America’s greatest inventor, Thomas Edison, supported them. However, manufacturers of internal combustion engine cars have returned to the market with the latest models, displacing electric cars. In recent years, the company made cars only to order until it went bankrupt. It used a circular, blue-gradient logo with the stylized lettering ‘DETROIT.’ The circular frame contained an arch formed by the brand’s full name.
Auburn
The predecessor of the Auburn Automobile Company produced horse-drawn carriages. However, as it developed, the automobile brand separated from the parent company to create experimental models. Its history ended in 1937, when its holding company was declared bankrupt. The manufacturer staked its future on unprofitable luxury cars. The Auburn logo looked no less luxurious: a gold plaque engraved with the brand name.
Franklin
The Franklin company is named not after a political figure but after its namesake, Herbert H. Franklin, who decided in 1902 to enter car production. The company produced innovative air-cooled models. In 1930, its engineers improved the engine design, thereby increasing power output. Conditions were favorable, but after the Great Depression, people stopped buying luxury cars. In 1934, the automaker went bankrupt, and its name and all assets, including the logo with the underlined handwritten inscription “Franklin,” were sold.
Cole
One of the progenitors of the Indianapolis automobile industry was the Cole Motor Car Company, which produced luxury cars with a V-8 internal combustion engine. It appeared in 1909 under another name (Cole Carriage Company) and left the market in 1925 because its owner feared bankruptcy and didn’t want to risk his money. The Cole logo, featuring black Victorian lettering, has become a historic part of the American automobile industry.
Abbott-Detroit
Abbott-Detroit, a manufacturer of reliable and powerful luxury automobiles, opened its Detroit factory in 1909 and operated it until 1916. It then moved to Cleveland, where it continued to produce station wagons, roadsters, limousines, and other hyped models until 1918, when the company declared bankruptcy. It became Consolidated Car Co., though it sold its cars under the old name, adorned with the Abbott-Detroit logo: a triangular yellow figure with a large red “A” and small print.