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United States Motor Company

From Alfawiki
United States Motor Company
Company typeMarketing organization
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1910 in Detroit, Michigan, United States
FounderBenjamin Briscoe
Defunct1913
FateAssets sold and reorganized into Maxwell Motor Company, Inc.
Headquarters
Detroit
,
United States
Area served
United States, United Kingdom (through United Motors International, Ltd.)
Key people
Benjamin Briscoe (founder and president), Walter E. Flanders (receiver manager)
ProductsAutomobiles (represented various independent manufacturers)
Number of employees
14,000 (1911)

United States Motor Company

The United States Motor Company (USMC), initiated by businessman Benjamin Briscoe in 1910 and based in Detroit, Michigan, functioned as a marketing organization representing a variety of independent automobile manufacturers. It originated from the International Motor Company (1908), an earlier, unsuccessful effort to merge enterprises including Maxwell-Briscoe and Buick. Renamed USMC toward the end of 1909, by 1910 it encompassed 11 subsidiaries, each maintaining its own management.

USMC’s objective was to support financially troubled manufacturers by uniting brands such as Maxwell, Stoddard-Dayton, Grabowsky Motor Vehicle Company, Briscoe Manufacturing, Courier Car Co, Columbia Automobile Company, Brush Motor Car Company, Alden Sampson Trucks, Riker, Gray Marine, and Providence Engineering Works. Production estimates for 1910 projected 15,000 Maxwells along with 10,000 units each of Brush Runabouts, Stoddard-Dayton, Columbia, and Alden Sampson trucks. To broaden international reach, Briscoe founded United Motors International, Ltd., focusing primarily on the British market.

By 1911, USMC operated 18 factories employing 14,000 workers and offered a lineup of 52 vehicle models. The company reported a 57% increase in sales compared to the previous year and stated that no inventory from 1910 remained unsold. Despite this progress, Briscoe pointed out that skepticism from financial institutions regarding the automotive sector limited further growth.

Early in 1912, financial troubles surfaced with the suspension of preferred stock dividends; by September, USMC was placed under receivership amidst internal management conflicts and investor disputes connected to General Motors Corporation. Briscoe stepped down late that year and was replaced by Walter E. Flanders as receiver manager. In January 1913, the company’s assets were auctioned off for $7.08 million during foreclosure proceedings.

Walter Flanders purchased these assets and reorganized the enterprise into Maxwell Motor Company, Inc., which subsequently transformed into Chrysler in the early 1920s. This development represented a pivotal change in corporate structure and strategic direction within the American automotive industry’s evolution.

Marques

See also

References

  • "AUTO NOTES AND GOSSIP." New York Times, Apr 17, 1910. p. S4. (Alden Sampson integrates with USMC)
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.; Aim Said to be to Control Only a Few Concerns." Wall Street Journal: May 11, 1910. p. 5.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO. TO GAIN ANOTHER PLANT; Negotiations for the Dayton Motor Co. About Completed." Wall Street Journal: Jun 10, 1910. p. 8.
  • "More Firms Join U. S. Motor Co.", New York Times, Jun 16, 1910, p. 11.
  • "AUTO'S ECONOMIC VALUE.; President Briscoe Takes Issue with Chancellor Day on Attack." New York Times: Jun 26, 1910. p. X9.
  • "PRES. BRISCOE OF U.S. MOTOR CO. DENIES AUTOMOBILE COMBINE; Declares Reports of Consolidation with General Motors Are Without Foundation." Wall Street Journal: Sep 14, 1910. p. 5.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.; Interesting Facts of the $30,000,000 Consolidation Are Being Disclosed." Wall Street Journal: Sep 15, 1910. p. 6.
  • "AMERICAN MAKERS TO INVADE ENGLAND; Benjamin Briscoe Forms United International Motors, Ltd., for Foreign Trade." New York Times: Nov 27, 1910. p. C8.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.; President Says Business for Last Three Months Was 57½% Larger Than in Same Time 1909." Wall Street Journal: Dec 1, 1910. p. 7.
  • "The Automobile Industry.; Benjamin Briscoe, President of United States Motor Company, Discusses Trade Conditions and Prospects for 1911." New York Times: Jan 8, 1911. p. AFR47.
  • Display Ad for U.S. Motor Co., New York Times: Jan 11, 1911. p. 15.
  • "ELEVEN COMPANIES BAR AUTO RACING; United States Motor Combination Announces Withdrawal from Speed Contests." New York Times: Mar 25, 1911. p.12.
  • "BRISCOE PREDICTS RECORD OUTPUT; Forecasts 212,000 Cars Will Be Made Next Year -- Outlook for Commercial Vehicles." New York Times: Aug 20, 1911. p.C8.
  • "WHY AUTOMOBILES DIFFER IN PRICE; Foundry Practice Aids Designers and Reduces Manufacturing Cost." BY FRANK BRISCOE. New York Times: Jan 7, 1912. p. XX9.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR COMPANY PASSES DIVIDEND ON PREFERRED; Increasing Demand for Labor and Materials Explains--Business Heaviest on Record." Wall Street Journal: Feb 9, 1912. p.8.
  • "U.S. MOTOR CO.'S DECREASED EARNINGS IN 1911." Wall Street Journal: Feb 20, 1912. p.8.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.'S SALES INCREASE; Gross Earnings for Six Months to Jan.31 Were $10,332,087 vs $7,813,886 in Prior Year." Wall Street Journal: Mar 25, 1912. p.7.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.; Audit Shows Company in Good Shape but Needs Working Capital." Wall Street Journal: Jul 8, 1912. p.6.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO.; Financial Affairs Improving -- Sales Running High." Wall Street Journal: Jul 19, 1912. p.5.
  • "CONDITION OF U.S. MOTOR CO IMPROVING; No Reorganization Plan Yet but Funds Still Needed." Wall Street Journal: Aug 16, 1912. p.6.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO SEEKING READJUSTMENT; Nearly $5 Million Needed to Stabilize Concern." Wall Street Journal: Aug 31, 1912.p6.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO PLACED IN RECEIVERSHIP; Court Appoints W.E.S Strong and Roberts Walker to Manage Friendly Reorganization." Wall Street Journal: Sep13,1912.p7.
  • "UNITED STATES MOTOR CO REORGANIZATION PLAN." Wall Street Journal: Sep17,1912.p5.
  • "WALTER E FLANDERS MAY REPLACE BRISCOE AS PRESIDENT OF U.S.MOTOR." Wall Street Journal: Oct25,1912.p2.
  • "U.S.MOTOR COMPANY SHAKE-UP; Changes Affect Entire Management and Departments." New York Times: Dec12,1912.p16.
  • "U.S.MOTOR ASSETS SOLD FOR $7,080,000." New York Times: Jan9,1913.p11.
  • "REORGANIZED UNITED STATES MOTOR CO TO BE CALLED MAXWELL MOTOR CO." Wall Street Journal: Jan14,1913.p3.
  • "REASONS FOR UNITED STATES MOTOR COMPANY FAILURE; Successor Maxwell Motor Co Comments on Industry Challenges." Wall Street Journal: Apr10,1913.p8.

External links

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