Ever wonder who’s changing the game in the auto industry? For years, African American car manufacturers have faced uphill battles—and the best ones are driving real change with innovation, quality, and community spirit. Choosing the right factory doesn’t just mean a stylish ride—it’s about supporting excellence and empowering trailblazers. Ready to discover the leading factories rewriting the rules of the road? Dive in to see how the top names stack up and find your next go-to manufacturer!

C.R Patterson, Born Slave, Built Automobiles Before Henry Ford

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson & Sons, later Patterson-Greenfield, produced horse-drawn buggies, custom automobile bodies, touring cars, roadsters, trucks, buses, and specialized vehicles such as hearses, moving vans, and delivery trucks. Their products included hand-built carriages in the late 1800s, the Patterson-Greenfield Automobile (1915–1919), and custom commercial vehicle bodies until the mid-1930s.

Technical Parameters:
– Automobiles featured a Continental 30 horsepower four-cylinder engine
– Vehicles included full floating rear axles, cantilever springs, demountable
– Electric starting and lighting systems were included on some models
– Price for the touring car/roadster was approximately $850; capable of speeds up

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation with touring cars and roadsters
– Commercial use with trucks, buses, and delivery vehicles (ice, bakery, milk
– School transportation (school buses)
– Specialized services such as hearses and moving vans

Pros:
– Products were described as superior to comparable contemporaries like Ford’s
– Strong reputation for quality: ‘If it’s a Patterson it’s a good one’
– Diverse product range adapted to evolving transportation needs (from buggies to
– Offered advanced features for the time such as electric starters and full

Cons:
– Very limited production numbers (estimated 30 to 150 cars built)
– Could not compete with larger automobile manufacturers due to lack of capital
– The company did not manufacture their own engines, relying instead on
– The company closed during the Great Depression due to financial constraints

One of the Earliest US Car Companies Was Founded by a … – HISTORY

Product Details:
Patterson and Sons, founded by C.R. Patterson, produced automobiles and later trucks. Their first car, the Patterson-Greenfield, was built around 1915 and was one of the first cars made by African Americans in the United States.

Technical Parameters:
– The Patterson-Greenfield car was reportedly similar in design and function to
– Vehicles were powered by gasoline engines, commonly used at the time.
– Models included both automobiles and commercial trucks.

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation during the early 20th century.
– Commercial use for local delivery and hauling after the company shifted to

Pros:
– Offered vehicles tailored to local needs and production capabilities.
– Demonstrated innovation and entrepreneurship by African Americans in the auto
– Vehicles were said to be as good as, or better than, competitors like the Ford

Cons:
– Limited production numbers restricted widespread availability.
– Faced challenges in competing with larger manufacturers, especially after the

C.R. Patterson & Sons Company (1893-1939) | BlackPast.org

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson & Sons Company initially produced 28 types of horse-drawn carriages and buggies and later transitioned to manufacturing the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, as well as truck, bus, and utility vehicle bodies (not entire vehicles). Their school bus bodies became popular in the Midwest during the early automotive era.

Technical Parameters:
– Produced 28 types of horse-drawn vehicles.
– The Patterson-Greenfield automobile featured a four-cylinder Continental engine.
– The first Patterson-Greenfield car debuted in 1915 and was priced at $850.
– Vehicle bodies were built for installation on chassis from major manufacturers

Application Scenarios:
– Personal and commercial transportation using horse-drawn carriages and buggies.
– Automobile usage similar to contemporary Ford Model T users.
– Supplying school bus bodies for school districts transitioning from horse-drawn
– Production of truck, bus, and other utility vehicle bodies for use on supplied

Pros:
– Products (automobiles) were technically comparable, and possibly more
– The company offered a wide range of horse-drawn vehicles (28 types) for varied
– School bus bodies were popular and met the needs of transitioning school
– African American ownership and historical significance as the first African

Cons:
– Manufacturing capacity was far below that of major automakers such as Ford,
– The business was unable to compete financially and technologically with large
– Ultimately ceased production and business failed due to competition and
– No surviving Patterson-Greenfield automobiles exist today, reflecting limited

Black History Month: Black Pioneers in the Automotive Industry

The Little-Known Tale of the Only African American Automaker

Product Details:
Patterson-Greenfield was an early 20th-century African American-owned automaker producing carriages, buggies, automobiles (notably the Patterson-Greenfield automobile), and later school bus and truck bodies. The company also offered auto repair services. Their vehicles included innovations like patented sliding doors and were sold regionally and to specific markets.

Technical Parameters:
– Patterson-Greenfield automobile featured a four-cylinder engine by G.B.&S.
– Included a full-floating rear axle, cantilever springs, demountable rims,
– Sold for $685 to $850 (price more than a Ford Model T, but less than upscale
– Later produced custom bus and truck bodies on Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and

Application Scenarios:
– General personal transportation via automobiles (touring and roadster models)
– School and commercial bus manufacture for public and private fleet customers
– Cargo transport with insulated cargo trucks, moving vans, and hearses
– Regional vehicle repair services for paint, upholstery, electrical, and

Pros:
– Innovative designs, notably patented sliding doors resistant to freezing/sleet
– Adopted advanced features early such as electric starters and lighting
– Recognized for high build quality and luxury features at a medium price
– Diversified offerings allowed continued profitability as market needs evolved

Cons:
– Low production scale (only 30–150 cars produced)
– Manually produced vehicles unable to compete on price with mass-produced cars
– Short duration of automobile manufacturing (ceased after about three years)
– Business faced difficulty scaling beyond regional markets

C.R. Patterson & Sons – the First Black Owned Car Company

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson and Sons produced high-quality horse-drawn carriages and later the Patterson-Greenfield Automobile, becoming the only Black-owned automobile manufacturer of its era. Products included 28 styles of carriages, a 5-passenger luxury automobile, several coupe and sedan models, and truck/bus bodies.

Technical Parameters:
– Horse-drawn carriage production: 28 different styles, approximately 500 units
– Patterson-Greenfield Automobile: 5-passenger, designed as a family vehicle
– Offered a 4-cylinder, 30 horsepower Continental ‘Red Devil’ speedster
– Later produced truck and bus bodies compatible with major manufacturers’

Application Scenarios:
– Personal family transportation with luxurious, mid-sized automobiles
– Carriage transport services and private use
– Commercial applications for truck and bus bodies using Ford and GM chassis

Pros:
– Known for producing high-quality, durable carriages and automobiles
– Inclusive, integrated workforce, and pioneering minority-owned business
– Innovative adaptation to market changes by shifting from carriages to

Cons:
– Could not match the scale and cost-efficiency of mass production from larger
– Limited production output compared to industry giants
– Ultimately forced out of business due to economic downturn and inability to

C.R. Patterson & Sons: America’s First and Only Black-Owned Car, Truck …

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson & Sons was the first and only Black-owned automobile, truck, and bus manufacturing company in the United States. The company originally produced horse-drawn carriages, then moved into automobile production, offering the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, as well as trucks and buses.

Technical Parameters:
– Patterson-Greenfield automobile featured a four-cylinder engine.
– Automobiles were available as touring cars, convertibles, and roadsters.
– Bus and truck bodies were custom built and mounted on chassis from other
– Car production reportedly ranged from 30 to 150 vehicles.

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation using automobiles (touring cars, convertibles,
– Commercial use for truck and bus transportation, including services for schools
– Custom-built buses for mass transit providers and educational institutions.

Pros:
– Offered high-quality, durable vehicles that competed with contemporary
– Provided custom-built bodies for specific business and institutional needs.
– Demonstrated innovation as the only Black-owned firm in the American automotive

Cons:
– Low production numbers compared to competitors limited market impact.
– Faced economic challenges and competition from mass-produced vehicles like Ford.
– Ultimately ceased automobile production, focusing only on body building for

C.R. Patterson and Sons: The First and Only African-American Automobile …

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson and Sons was the first and only African-American-owned automobile company in the United States, originally producing carriages and later manufacturing automobiles and commercial vehicles.

Technical Parameters:
– Transitioned from horse-drawn carriages to manufacturing automobiles around
– Produced the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, which rivaled the Ford Model T.
– Vehicles were powered by gasoline engines.
– Later shifted focus to making trucks, buses and utility vehicles for commercial

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation (early automobiles for individual buyers).
– Commercial vehicles for schools (school buses), municipalities, and business
– Utility vehicles for delivery and industrial purposes.

Pros:
– Offered vehicles considered to be of comparable quality to leading
– Pioneered African-American participation and ownership in the U.S. automotive
– Demonstrated adaptability by transitioning from carriages to automobiles, then

Cons:
– Faced significant market disadvantages due to racial discrimination.
– Smaller scale and resources compared to competitors like Ford and General
– Limited long-term viability resulting in eventual closure.

The Remarkable Story of C.R. Patterson and Sons, America’s First Black …

Product Details:
C.R. Patterson and Sons produced horse-drawn carriages, wagons, buggies, and later the Patterson-Greenfield automobile—the first car designed and built by an African American-owned company—between the late 1800s and 1939.

Technical Parameters:
– Patterson-Greenfield automobile featured a powerful six-cylinder engine.
– Roomy interior and stylish design.
– Cars were sold for $685 to $850 in 1915 (roughly $20,290 to $25,014 in 2023
– Estimated between 30 and 150 automobiles built; previously produced up to 500

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation for African American consumers seeking car ownership at
– Carriage-building and repairs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
– Automobile repair services until 1939.

Pros:
– High-quality craftsmanship in both carriages and automobiles.
– One of the few car ownership options targeted toward African Americans in the
– Provided employment and training opportunities for African Americans in an era
– Innovative entry into the early automotive industry.

Cons:
– Unable to compete with larger, more established car manufacturers due to
– Faced discrimination from suppliers and distributors.
– Low production numbers, limiting market reach.

Frederick Douglas Patterson (1871-1932) | BlackPast.org

Product Details:
C. R. Patterson and Sons Company, later renamed the Greenfield Bus Body Company, manufactured transportation vehicles including fashionable carriages, the Patterson-Greenfield automobile, buses, and trucks. The flagship automobile, Patterson-Greenfield, was introduced in 1915 and sold alongside other products until the firm’s transition to buses and trucks.

Technical Parameters:
– Patterson-Greenfield automobile had a forty horsepower Continental
– Reached a top speed of fifty miles per hour.
– Sold for $850 when introduced in 1915.
– Produced in two styles: two-door roadster and four-door touring car.

Application Scenarios:
– Personal transportation via carriages and automobiles for consumers seeking
– Commercial and public transportation through buses and trucks after 1920.

Pros:
– Reputed to be of higher quality than competitors (specifically Ford’s Model T).
– Offered multiple vehicle styles (roadster and touring car).
– Long-standing tradition and company slogan emphasizing reliability: ‘If it’s a

Cons:
– Could not compete with lower-priced mass-produced vehicles like the Ford Model
– Lacked sufficient capital to continue large-scale automobile production.

Comparison Table

Company	Product Details	Pros	Cons	Website
C.R Patterson, Born Slave, Built Automobiles Before Henry Ford	C.R. Patterson & Sons, later Patterson-Greenfield, produced horse-drawn buggies	Products were described as superior to comparable contemporaries like Ford’s	Very limited production numbers (estimated 30 to 150 cars built) Could not	www.africaresource.com
One of the Earliest US Car Companies Was Founded by a … – HISTORY	Patterson and Sons, founded by C.R. Patterson, produced automobiles and later	Offered vehicles tailored to local needs and production capabilities	Limited production numbers restricted widespread availability. Faced challenges	www.history.com
C.R. Patterson & Sons Company (1893-1939)	BlackPast.org	C.R. Patterson & Sons Company initially produced 28 types of horse-drawn	Products (automobiles) were technically comparable, and possibly more	Manufacturing capacity was far below that of major automakers such as Ford,
Black History Month: Black Pioneers in the Automotive Industry				www.acg.aaa.com
The Little-Known Tale of the Only African American Automaker	Patterson-Greenfield was an early 20th-century African American-owned automaker	Innovative designs, notably patented sliding doors resistant to freezing/sleet A	Low production scale (only 30–150 cars produced) Manually produced vehicles	www.caranddriver.com
C.R. Patterson & Sons – the First Black Owned Car Company	C.R. Patterson and Sons produced high-quality horse-drawn carriages and later	Known for producing high-quality, durable carriages and automobiles Inclusive,	Could not match the scale and cost-efficiency of mass production from larger	www.petersen.org
C.R. Patterson & Sons: America’s First and Only Black-Owned Car, Truck …	C.R. Patterson & Sons was the first and only Black-owned automobile, truck, and	Offered high-quality, durable vehicles that competed with contemporary	Low production numbers compared to competitors limited market impact. Faced	www.donaldwatkins.com
C.R. Patterson and Sons: The First and Only African-American Automobile …	C.R. Patterson and Sons was the first and only African-American-owned	Offered vehicles considered to be of comparable quality to leading	Faced significant market disadvantages due to racial discrimination. Smaller	magazine.northeast.aaa.com
The Remarkable Story of C.R. Patterson and Sons, America’s First Black …	C.R. Patterson and Sons produced horse-drawn carriages, wagons, buggies, and	High-quality craftsmanship in both carriages and automobiles. One of the few	Unable to compete with larger, more established car manufacturers due to	talkafricana.com
Frederick Douglas Patterson (1871-1932)	BlackPast.org	C. R. Patterson and Sons Company, later renamed the Greenfield Bus Body Company	Reputed to be of higher quality than competitors (specifically Ford’s Model T)	Could not compete with lower-priced mass-produced vehicles like the Ford Model

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I find African American-owned car manufacturers or factories?
You can start by researching online directories and industry organizations that highlight minority-owned businesses. Networking events, trade shows, and reaching out to organizations like the National Black Chamber of Commerce can also connect you with African American car manufacturers.

What factors should I consider when choosing a manufacturer or factory?
Consider their experience, production capacity, product quality, and reviews from previous clients. It’s also important to evaluate their communication style and willingness to meet your specific needs and deadlines.

Are there unique advantages to working with African American-owned car manufacturers?
Yes! Partnering with African American-owned manufacturers can promote diversity, fresh ideas, and foster inclusive business relationships. Many clients also value the opportunity to support underrepresented entrepreneurs and contribute to more equitable industry practices.

How do I verify that a manufacturer is truly African American-owned?
Ask for relevant certifications or membership in minority business organizations. Many reputable businesses are certified through programs like the National Minority Supplier Development Council, which ensures authenticity and credibility.

Can African American-owned car manufacturers produce custom or specialty vehicles?
Many of these manufacturers are agile and willing to innovate, often providing customized solutions, specialty vehicles, or unique features to meet client requests. It’s best to discuss your specific needs to see how they can accommodate your project.