Detroit Electric

US, 1907 – 1938

(1) Anderson Carriage Co, Detroit, Mich., 1907 – 1910

(2) Anderson Electric Car Co, Detroit, Mich., 1911 – 1918

(3) Detroit Electric Car Co, Detroit, Mich., 1919 – 1938

One of the best-known electric automobiles built in the United States as well as one of the most long-lived, the Detroit Electric car reached its peak in production and sales between 1912 and 1920. The Detroit-Electric success was largely due to the demand by women for a simple car for urban use. More than 1000 Detroit Electric cars per year were sold up to World War 1, but production tapered off in the 1920s. A few Detroit Electrics with Renault-type bonnets were made under licence by Arrol-Johnston in 1913/ 1914. In 1920, the old-fashioned appearance of the Detroit Electric cars was modified by the introduction of false front which made the Detroit look more like a conventional car. In the early 1930s, production of Detroit Electric cars was cut to individual orders, and bodies for the more conventional-looking cars were obtained from Willys-Overland, complete with the horizontal bonnet louvres. The earlier design of the Detroit Electric, however, with rounded battery covers, fore and aft, was also available. Only a handful of Detroit Electric cars were produced annually after 1935. Some of the last Detroit Electric cars used the Dodge bonnet and grille.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; KM

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