Republic Motor Truck Company

Republic Motor Truck Company

Republic Motor Truck Company was a manufacturer of commercial trucks circa 1913 - 1929, in Alma, Michigan. By 1918, it was recognized as the largest exclusive truck manufacturer in the world, and the maker of one out of every nine trucks on the roads in the United States. [McMacken, David, and Louise Davenport (1976). "Down Twelve Decades: A Pictorial History of Alma, Michigan", np. Alma Bicentennial Committee, Alma, Michigan.] It was one of the major suppliers of "Liberty Trucks" used by American troops during World War One.

The author Edgar Rice Burroughs purchased a Republic truck in 1916 and drove it across the United States. His exploits were later published as a pamphlet and distributed by Republic. By 1918, Republic was advertising in such national publications as the Saturday Evening Post, declaring that one goes to "Damascus for swords, Teheran [sic] for rugs, Lynn for shoes, Rochester for cameras, Dayton for cash registers, Alma for trucks." [Saturday Evening Post, February 23, 1918, p. 46] Over 3,000 dealers served the United States, with additional dealers in at least 56 foreign countries and colonies. [Alma Record (Alma, MI), Centennial Edition, June 28, 1956]

In 1927, Republic purchased the Linn Manufacturing Company, makers of heavy duty tractors.

The return of the Liberty Trucks to the United States after World War I led to a major reduction in demand for trucks. Republic's production volume dropped from nearly 30,000 in 1918 to 1,453 in 1921. [Weimer, Andrew M. (1934). "An Economic History of Alma, Michigan", University of Chicago doctoral dissertation] Republic was forced into receivership in 1922. After reorganization, the company attempted unsuccessfully to regain its former status as a preferred manufacturer. After the sudden death of its president, Oliver Hayes, in 1928, the company merged with the Company to become LaFrance-Republic. LaFrance-Republic in turn was purchased by the Sterling Motor Truck Company in 1931, which was purchased by the White Motor Company in 1951. A parts depot for Republic existed in Alma until 1957.

Notes


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of American truck manufacturers — This is a list of American truck manufacturers. A * Advance Rumely * Alden Sampson * Alena [Alena Steam Car] * AM General * American (1911 1913) * American Austin (1929 1934) * American Bantam (1935 1941) * American Coleman * American LaFrance [… …   Wikipedia

  • Ford Motor Company — Ford redirects here. For other uses, see Ford (disambiguation). Ford Motor Company …   Wikipedia

  • Dongfeng Nissan-Diesel Company — (simplified Chinese: 东风日产柴汽车有限公司; traditional Chinese: 東風日產柴汽車有限公司; pinyin: Dōngfēng Rìchǎn Qìchē Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī) is a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation and UD Trucks (now the part of Volvo). It produces heavy trucks for the… …   Wikipedia

  • Dongfeng Motor Company — Limited is a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Nissan Motors. It produces the Nissan Sunny, Nissan Bluebird, Nissan Teana, and Nissan Tiida for sale in China. See also Dongfeng Nissan Diesel Company, a truck producing joint …   Wikipedia

  • Dongfeng Automobile Company — Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. (DFAC) is a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. and is 30% publicly held. It makes light trucks and automobiles for the Chinese market. It also makes diesel engines in a 50/50 joint venture with Cummins, Inc.… …   Wikipedia

  • M35 2½ ton cargo truck — For other uses, see M35 (disambiguation). Truck, Cargo, 2½ Ton, 6×6, M35 An M35 2½ ton cargo truck Type Medium Truck Place of origin …   Wikipedia

  • Dongfeng Motor Group — Company Limited 東风汽車集团有限公司 Type State owned enterprise Industry vehicles manufacturing Founded 2004 Headquarters …   Wikipedia

  • South East (Fujian) Motor — Co Ltd Type joint venture Founded 1995 Headquarters Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China South East (Fujian) Motor Co Ltd …   Wikipedia

  • List of company name etymologies — This is a list of company names with their name origins explained. Some origins are disputed. NOTOC #*20th Century Fox – Film studio; formed in 1935 through the merger of William Fox s Fox Film, and Twentieth Century Pictures. [… …   Wikipedia

  • Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company — is a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Kia Motors, and Yueda. It produces the Kia Optima, Kia Carnival, and Kia Cerato for sale in China. Plants Plant Type Location Year opened Year closed Notes Yancheng car plant… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”