Chalmers Motor Company, 1913, Detroit, Estados Unidos

Chalmers Motor Company, 1913, Detroit, Estados Unidos
Jefferson Avenue Plant
Desenho

Chalmers Motor Company was an American automobile company located in Detroit, Michigan. It was named after Hugh Chalmers of the National Cash Register Company (NCR). It merged with the Maxwell Automobile Company, forerunner of Chrysler, in 1922, and ended all production in late 1923.

The Chalmers company was formed when NCR CEO, Hugh Chalmers, purchased the interests of ER Thomas in the Thomas-Detroit company in 1908, and renamed the company Chalmers-Detroit. The first car that came out was the Chalmers 30 in 1908. The company acquired the Brush Runabout rights. The name was changed to Chalmers in 1911. It’s best year was 1911 when it became the number eight auto producer in the US. During 1917, following the April United States Declaration of War against Germany, Maxwell Motor Co took over Chalmers' operations to make cars and trucks for the US Government. Chalmers then faltered in the post-World War I recession in 1920. It merged with the Maxwell Automobile Company, forerunner of Chrysler, in 1922, and terminated production in late 1923. With a 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase on 34 in (86 cm) wheels.

Investors Roy D. Chapin, Coffin, Brezny, Jackson and Brady formed the Hudson Motor Car company on October 28th, 1908. Joseph Hudson, a department store owner, was the biggest investor but stayed a silent partner. Chalmers was also a large investor in Hudson.

The company also originated the Chalmers Award in professional baseball. A car would be presented to the baseball player in each major league with the highest batting average, and later to the most valuable player as chosen by sportswriters. It was discontinued in 1914 when Chalmers found that it was not that successful for advertising.

Between 1919 and 1923, Chalmers suffered financial problems and merged with the Maxwell Motor Company. In late November 1921 prices were reduced for all models and production was down to about 20 cars a day while Maxwell was selling more than 100 cars a day. Later they were taken over by Walter P. Chrysler.  The Chalmers name was discontinued in January 1924, when production of the Chrysler Six started in the former Chalmers plant.