Rauch and Lang
 The Baker Rulang Company - Plant no. 1 | |
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | Jacob Rauch and Charles E.J. Lang |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio, |
| Products | Vehicles Automotive parts |
The Rauch & Lang Carriage Company operated as a manufacturer of electric automobiles in the United States, initially based in Cleveland, Ohio (1905–1920), before relocating to Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts (1920–1932).
History
Founded by Jacob Rauch and Charles E. J. Lang in 1884, the company began by crafting luxury carriages in Cleveland. It transitioned into the automotive sector in 1903 by representing the Buffalo Electric Vehicle Company. By 1905, Rauch & Lang introduced its proprietary electric stanhope model.
Electric Motor Cars
During its inaugural year, the firm produced 50 units encompassing stanhopes, coupes, and depot wagons. In 1907, Rauch & Lang took over the Hertner Electric Company—its supplier for motors and controllers—and appointed John H. Hertner as chief engineer. This acquisition enabled the company to manufacture all vehicle components internally, embracing a vertically integrated production strategy.
Despite encountering legal obstacles such as a 1911 patent infringement claim from Baker Motor Vehicle Company regarding rear spring mounting systems, manufacturing output increased annually.
Merger with Baker Electric
In response to nationwide declines in electric vehicle sales, Rauch & Lang merged with Baker Motor Vehicle Company in 1915 to create the Baker R. & L. Company, widely known as Baker-Raulang. The Baker brand name was retained only until 1916.
Following the merger, the company offered electric automobiles in various body styles—including uncommon four-door configurations—with options for steering from either the front or rear seats to accommodate different customer demands.
Between 1916 and 1919, Baker R & L produced the Owen Magnetic at its facilities. In 1919 alone, Rauch & Lang manufactured 700 electric cars and expanded into automobile coach-building through the Raulang Body Division. Additionally, a specialized department was formed to produce electric industrial trucks, broadening its automotive product range.
Chicopee Falls
In January 1920, Ray S. Deering, president of Stevens-Duryea Company located in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, acquired the electric passenger car segment of Baker R & L and reorganized it under the name Rauch & Lang, Inc. A new manufacturing plant was constructed adjacent to Stevens-Duryea’s facility to house Rauch & Lang’s operations.
By 1922, Rauch & Lang entered the taxicab market by producing both electric and gasoline-powered models under the R & L brand. Beginning in 1923, taxicab production became the company's main focus due to poor sales of electric taxis and limited passenger car output.
Financial struggles surfaced by 1924, resulting in extensions for debt repayment obligations. By late 1928, half of the factory space was leased to Moth Aircraft Corporation, marking the end of passenger car production.
Final Outcome
Shortly before the Wall Street crash of 1929, Rauch & Lang partnered with engineers from General Electric to develop an innovative 60 hp gas-electric hybrid automobile, which was purchased by Colonel E. H. R. Green, the inheritor of Hetty Green’s estate. Although the economic downturn interrupted further manufacturing plans, a third hybrid model produced in 1930 still survives today. The firm continued limited production of taxicabs and custom coachwork until ceasing operations in 1932.
See also
Other pioneering electric automobiles
- American Electric
- Argo Electric
- Babcock Electric Carriage Company
- Baker Electric
- Berwick
- Binghamton Electric
- Buffalo Electric
- Century
- Columbia Automobile Company
- Dayton Electric
- Detroit Electric
- Grinnell
- Menominee
- Riker Electric
- Woods Motor Vehicle
External links
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Historic American Engineering Record in Ohio
- Electric vehicles introduced in the 20th century
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Ohio
- Manufacturing companies based in Cleveland
- Chicopee, Massachusetts
- Manufacturing companies based in Chicopee, Massachusetts
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Massachusetts
- American companies established in 1905
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1905
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1920
- 1905 establishments in Ohio
- 1920 disestablishments in Ohio
- Defunct companies based in Ohio
- Electric vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Electric vehicles
- Coachbuilders of the United States
- 1900s cars
- 1910s cars
- 1920s cars
- 1930s cars
- Brass Era vehicles
- Vintage vehicles
- Pre-war vehicles
- Cars introduced in 1905
- Cars discontinued in 1932
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment