The Autocar Company is a manufacturer of heavy-duty vocational trucks in the United States. The company was founded in 1897 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a manufacturer of Brass Era automobiles and began producing trucks in 1899. It is the oldest surviving motor vehicle brand in the Western Hemisphere. After producing cars until 1911, Autocar shifted its focus solely to the production of heavy-duty trucks. The company was acquired by the White Motor Company in 1953 and later by Volvo Trucks in 1981, but in 2001 Autocar was acquired by GVW Group, LLC and became an independent company again. Today, Autocar builds four models of custom-engineered heavy-duty trucks and is a leading manufacturer in several vocational segments.
History
The Autocar Company was founded in 1897 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the Pittsburgh Motor Vehicle Company. In 1899, the company was renamed Autocar and moved to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia. The company initially produced cars such as the Pittsburgher, but by 1907, it decided to focus on commercial vehicles. Autocar is still in use for commercial trucks and is the oldest surviving motor vehicle brand in the Western Hemisphere. The company's board of directors during 1903-1907 included the president Louis S. Clarke, the secretary John S. Clarke, and James K. Clarke, all of whom were members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club of Johnstown Flood fame.
