The American auto industry has come a long way since its early days in the 1900s. From humble beginnings, it grew to become one of the largest in the world and a leading force in the U.S. economy. Over the past century, automakers have faced both triumphs and setbacks, and some marques have unfortunately disappeared. But one thing that remains constant is the love for American cars and their characterful V-8s, which have gained praise from enthusiasts worldwide.

From the outrageous concept cars that never made it to production to the fascinating innovations that changed the industry forever, this article celebrates the rich history of cars produced in the United States. So buckle up and get ready to discover some fascinating factoids about the auto American industry that you might not have known before.

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10 Ford Birthed The Moving Assembly Line

A parked 1917 Ford Model TT Huckster
Mecum
Side and front view of a 1917 Ford Model TT Huckster

One of the key players in the early auto revolution and the rise of Detroit was none other than Ford Motor Company. Founded by Henry Ford in 1908, the brand was responsible for cars like the Model T which mobilized the American masses.

Henry Ford is also the inventor of the moving assembly line which gave birth to the very concept of mass production, a cornerstone of the modern economy and consumer culture. The production line was so effective and cost-efficient that Ford was able to lower the price of the Model T from $850 in 1908, down to $260 in 1925.

9 Henry Ford Coined The Term "Tune-Up"

Black 1925 Ford TT Truck
By user:geni via Wikimedia Commons
A front 3/4 shot of a 1925 Ford TT Truck driving in a field

Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, was not only an innovator in the automotive industry, but he also coined a term that is still commonly used today - "Tune-Up." In the early days of automobiles, Ford was known to be a hands-on man who enjoyed working on his prototypes. While working on one of his vehicles, he noticed a buzzing sound created by a perfectly working set of coils. He realized that if the coils didn't buzz, then they needed adjustment to function correctly. This led him to refer to the process of adjusting a car's engine as a "tune-up."

Today, the term "tune-up" has evolved to refer to a set of maintenance procedures designed to ensure that a car's engine is running at its optimal performance. A tune-up may include replacing spark plugs, checking and adjusting the timing, adjusting the carburetor, and other tasks. While the process of a tune-up may have changed over the years, the term itself still serves as a reminder of Henry Ford's hands-on approach to the automotive industry and his commitment to ensuring that every vehicle was running at its best.

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8 The Role Of The Auto Industry During World War II

Chrysler wasn't just responsible for building tanks during World War II, the brand is also associated with HEMI engines, which can be noted for its FirePower powertrains of engines utilizing a more efficient Hemispherical combustion chamber to maximize efficiency. However, this iconic engine was never meant for its cars.

Chrysler's first HEMI engine was designed by a gentleman called Allie Ray, who started developing a V-16 engine with hemispherical heads for U.S. Air Military's P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft. Unfortunately for Ray and Chrysler, the V-16 had to be scrapped because there was no demand for the engine by the time it was finished.

7 The Chrysler Imperial Was The First Production Car With Cruise Control

Yellow Chrysler Imperial static shot
Chrysler
Front three-quarter view of a yellow Chrysler Imperial Kissimmee Summer Special

While the term "autopilot" may be commonly associated with aviation, it was actually Chrysler who first used this term in the automotive industry back in 1958. The automaker launched the Chrysler Imperial, which was the first production car to feature Cruise Control, a technology that allowed drivers to maintain a constant speed without having to constantly adjust the throttle.

The Cruise Control system was invented by a blind engineer named Ralph Teetor in 1948, and Chrysler was the first automaker to bring this technology to the masses. The introduction of Cruise Control was a major innovation in the automotive industry, and it laid the groundwork for the development of more advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in modern cars.

Today, automakers like Tesla are leading the charge in the development of autonomous driving technology, which promises to revolutionize the way we travel on the road. However, it's worth remembering that it was Chrysler and Ralph Teetor who first coined the term "autopilot" and paved the way for these advanced technologies that we take for granted today.

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6 General Motors Helped NASA Take To The Moon

Inagural flight of 2020 SpaceX and NASA’s Launch
SpaceX
2020 SpaceX and NASA’s Historic Launch – In A Nutshell

Here's another out-of-the-world fact about yet another automotive powerhouse from America which is none other than General Motors. GM played a major role in assisting NASA in the Apollo Moon Program. They were responsible for the advanced navigation systems onboard Apollo 11 spacecraft which took humanity to the moon in 1969. In addition to guidance systems, GMC was responsible for making the Lunar Roving Vehicle used by Apollo 15's crew to explore the lunar surface.

5 AMC-Made CJ Jeeps In The 80s

Jeep Wrangler CJ-7
Art Konovalov / Shutterstock
Front and side profile shot of an orange Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 parked on the streetside

The now-defunct AMC might not be the most popular American automaker out there, but they made some pretty interesting machines like the AMX from 1968. But it’s a little-known fact that in addition to a range of muscle cars, AMC also briefly manufactufred a Jeep. Launched in 1981, the CJ-8 Jeep was made and marketed by the American Motor Company, which has owned the Jeep moniker since 1970. Financial troubles at AMC meant they had to part ways with the Jeep brand in 1987 when it was officially acquired by its new owners, the Chrysler Group.

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4 Henry Ford Started His Carrier At Edison Illuminating Company

1923 Thomas Edison and Henry Ford camping trip
The Vagabonds
The Vagabonds, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford camping-road trip in 1923. - Ford News Europe Blog

The credit for the creation of the Ford Motor Company goes to none other than Henry Ford, but there were some other important figures, who played a key role in the success of Ford and one of those individuals happens to be none other than Thomas Edison, the iconic inventor.

It's a little-known fact that Henry Ford started his carrier at Edison Illuminating Company and where he showed promise, so by 1893 he was appointed as the Chief Engineer. This is also the place where he started tinkering with gasoline engines and this job also helped him make enough capital to start his venture.

3 Cadillac And Ford Started In The Same Factory

Cadillac Assembly Plant Amsterdam Street - Detroit Michigan
Wikimedia Commons
A shot of Cadillac's former Assembly Plant located in Amsterdam Street, Michigan, Detroit. - Wikimedia Commons

Cadillac is one of the most iconic American automakers with a rich history that dates back over a century. Interestingly, Cadillac owes its existence to another automotive legend - Henry Ford. In 1902, the Cadillac Automobile Company was established as a premium automaker, and it used the Cass Street and Amsterdam Avenue plants in Detroit for production.

What's intriguing is that these plants originally belonged to the Henry Ford Company, which was a precursor to the Ford Motor Company. Cadillac's success helped fuel the rise of Detroit as a hub for automotive manufacturing. The brand has played a crucial role in shaping the American auto industry over the years. While the story of Cadillac's origins might be lesser known, it's a testament to the interconnectedness of the American auto industry and the role that different brands have played in each other's success.

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2 Dodge Viper SRT 10 Got The Largest Series Production Engine Of All Time

A parked 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 CS
Bring a Trailer
Front and side view of a 1996 Dodge Viper RT/10 CS

When it comes to sheer engine displacement, Bugatti might be the first name that comes to mind. However, the title of the largest displacement series production engine belongs to Dodge and its Viper SRT10. This beast of a car was powered by an 8.4-liter V-10 engine that was taken straight out of a RAM truck.

Despite its origins, this engine was perfectly suited for the Viper and produced an impressive 645 horsepower. Paired with a 6-speed gearbox, the Viper's low-revving V-10 was capable of propelling the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and onto a top speed of over 200 mph. The Viper SRT10 was an impressive feat of engineering, not only for its massive engine but also for its handling and design.

While the Viper may no longer be in production, it remains a testament to Dodge's commitment to producing high-performance cars that push the boundaries of what's possible. With the Viper SRT10, Dodge proved that American automakers were still capable of producing world-class supercars with awe-inspiring power and performance.

1 GM Has Sub-Brands Exclusively For The Chinese Market

Press Archive - Baojun Valli
Baojun
Baojun Valli tailgate shot from official press release

General Motors has a range of popular brands under its belts such as Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and more, but the western customer base might not be aware of GM's China-exclusive brands. The American Automakers' popularity in its homeland has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years, but the brand's popularity in mainland China has gone through the roof in recent years. The three brands under GM's China-exclusive wing include Wuling, the first sub-brand, founded back in 2001 followed by Baojon which was founded in 2010 and the most recent addition was Jeifang in 2011.