Hudson
Brief History
Hudson Motor Car Company wass part of the America's automotive industry for nearly 50 years with headquarter in Detroit, Michigan. The company was founded in February 1909 from eight Detroit businessmen among them were Joseph L. Hudson, Roy E. Chapin, Howard Coffin and George W. Dunham.
Hudson was one of the car industry leaders through 1950 in addition it was the first company to include in cars options like: automobile self-starter, dual brakes and the first balanced crankshaft. In 1910 Hudson Motor Car Company ranked 11th in the nation in automobile production. The Essex line was introduced in 1919 as competitor of Ford Model T. 1929 was the most successful year for Hudson with 300,000 cars produced this helped the company to become the third largest American automaker after Ford Motor Company and Chevrolet.
During Word War II all major U.S. industrial companies as well as Hudson made their contribution of winning the war, which included aircrafts, engines and sections for B-29 bombers. Like other Detroit auto makes Hudson introduced redesigned 1942 models for 1946. However in 1948 things changed with the new model line was launched with famous “Step-Down” design. These cars were strong with lightweight bodies, safer, with great passenger comfort in addition they were using powerful six cylinder engines, which made Hudson auto racing champion in 1951-54.
The “Step-Down” design was revolutionary and helped the company to earn $13,2 million in 1948 but at the same time was the reason for company to end its production few years later. Hudson was unable to compete with the Big Three and to make major changes to its successful platform without big expenses. As result the “Step-Down” design didn’t change much until 1954, by which time it was to late.
On January 14, 1954 Hudson merged with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation. Production of Hudson cars continued until 1957 with introduction of “all-new” production line in 1955. These models were nothing much then restyled Nash models. Soon the two companies became American Motors.
