American
American was an early automobile marque designed by Frank Duryea and produced by the American Automobile Company of New York City from 1899 to 1901.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
American was an early American automobile marque associated with the first generation of motor-vehicle manufacturers in the United States. The automobile was designed by Frank Duryea, an important pioneer of American automotive engineering, and manufactured by the American Automobile Company of New York City. Production took place from 1899 to 1901, placing the marque within the formative period when automobiles were still evolving from experimental horseless carriages into commercially manufactured vehicles. The vehicle was described as a “hydro-carbon carriage,” terminology used at the time for a motor carriage powered by an internal-combustion engine. One of its notable features was a starting arrangement that allowed the driver to start the vehicle from the seat. Its chain-and-sprocket gearing formed part of the mechanism, reflecting the engineering conventions of early automobiles, before the standardized controls, transmissions, and layouts that later became common across the industry. American’s historical importance lies primarily in its place within the early development of automobile production rather than in a long-lived product range or surviving mass-market brand. The available reference material identifies a single automobile associated with the marque and confirms manufacture between 1899 and 1901, but does not establish detailed specifications such as engine displacement, body styles, production volume, pricing, dealership networks, or export markets. It also does not document a later corporate successor or a continuation of the marque after 1901. The American Automobile Company was based in New York City, a location that connected the marque to one of the principal commercial and manufacturing centers of the United States. The company’s work formed part of a crowded early automotive field in which inventors, engineers, carriage makers, and small specialist firms experimented with propulsion systems and vehicle architecture. In that context, the ability to start the vehicle from the driver’s seat was a practical usability feature, while chain-and-sprocket gearing represented a compact solution suited to the mechanical technology of the period. American is therefore best treated as a defunct historical automobile brand or marque, not as a modern consumer brand and not as a reference to later companies using the word “American.” Its documented production window is brief, and the surviving public information is limited. The principal confirmed facts are the 1899–1901 production period, Frank Duryea’s design role, the American Automobile Company’s manufacture of the vehicle, its New York City association, and its hydrocarbon-powered, seat-startable mechanical concept.
History
American emerged during the formative phase of the United States automobile industry at the end of the nineteenth century. The marque’s automobile was designed by Frank Duryea and manufactured by the American Automobile Company in New York City. Production began in 1899, when powered road vehicles were still commonly described using carriage terminology and when manufacturers had not yet converged on a standard technical configuration. The vehicle was characterized as a “hydro-carbon carriage,” indicating propulsion by an internal-combustion engine using a hydrocarbon fuel. Its design included chain-and-sprocket gearing and a mechanism that enabled the automobile to be started from the driver’s seat. This feature distinguished it from some earlier motor vehicles that required more involved external or manually operated starting procedures. The design illustrates the practical engineering questions facing early automobile makers: how to package the engine and drivetrain, transmit power to the wheels, and make the machine usable by a driver without assistance. American was manufactured from 1899 through 1901. The available historical reference identifies this production span but does not provide a detailed chronology of model revisions, manufacturing volume, sales performance, distribution, or the company’s eventual corporate disposition. No reliable evidence in the supplied material establishes a broad model family, a successor marque, or continued production after 1901. The known history is consequently that of a short-lived early automobile project rather than a continuously operating automotive company. The marque’s New York City base placed it within a major American urban and commercial environment. At the time, automobile production was distributed among numerous small enterprises, and the boundaries between invention, engineering, carriage manufacture, and vehicle assembly were fluid. American belongs to this early ecosystem, in which technical experimentation was central to product development and commercial survival was uncertain. The brand’s historical significance is best understood through its contribution to the transition from experimental motor carriages to purpose-built automobiles. Frank Duryea’s involvement connects the vehicle to the broader early history of American automotive engineering, while the seat-starting system and chain-and-sprocket drive provide concrete evidence of the mechanical solutions used by manufacturers before later industry standards became dominant. With production ending in 1901 and no documented modern continuation, American is now a defunct historical marque.
- 1901
Production ends
[1]The documented production period of the American automobile concluded after manufacture from 1899 to 1901.
- 1899
American automobile enters production
[1]The American automobile, designed by Frank Duryea and manufactured by the American Automobile Company of New York City, began production.
Products and positioning
An early experimental and commercial automobile marque focused on motorized carriage technology and driver-operable starting.
Early automobile · 1899
American automobile
The American was an early internal-combustion automobile described contemporarily as a “hydro-carbon carriage.” Designed by Frank Duryea and produced by the American Automobile Company in New York City, it used chain-and-sprocket gearing and could be started from the driver’s seat. The available reference confirms production from 1899 to 1901 but does not establish a detailed model range, body-style catalogue, engine specifications, production quantity, or pricing.
Controversies
2014
Board removes founder Dov Charney
The board removed Charney as chairman and chief executive after allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward employees. Charney disputed the action and sought reinstatement.
2014
Founder misconduct allegations and removal
Dov Charney was removed from the board’s leadership roles following allegations of misconduct and inappropriate conduct toward employees. Charney denied the allegations and challenged the removal.
2014
Advertising-regulator criticism
Several advertisements were criticized or prohibited by advertising authorities for sexualized imagery, exposed underwear, voyeuristic framing, or the apparent sexualization of a young-looking model.
2013
New York store criticized over culturally insensitive display
A store display using imagery associated with African and Afro-American religious traditions prompted public criticism.
2013
Culturally insensitive store display
A New York store display drew criticism for imagery associated with Traditional African and Afro-American religious practices, including Vodou, Vodun, and Santería traditions.
2010
Auditor resignation prompts investigations
Deloitte & Touche resigned after raising concerns that American Apparel’s 2009 financial statements might not be reliable. The resignation was followed by investigations involving U.S. authorities.
2010
Accounting and auditor controversy
The resignation of Deloitte & Touche over concerns about the reliability of American Apparel’s 2009 financial statements led to investigations by U.S. securities and law-enforcement authorities.
2009
Advertising authorities criticize sexualized campaigns
Several advertisements were criticized or banned, including a United Kingdom advertisement judged to sexualize a model who appeared underage and later campaigns criticized as voyeuristic or potentially normalizing predatory behavior.
2007
Woody Allen sues over billboard campaign
Woody Allen sued American Apparel over billboards using his image from Annie Hall. The dispute was settled in 2009, reportedly for $5 million paid largely by the insurer.
2007
Woody Allen image-use lawsuit
American Apparel used an image of Woody Allen’s Annie Hall character on billboards without his authorization. Allen sued, and the dispute was settled in 2009 for a reported $5 million.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
American brand launch[3]
Whiskey Nate of North Jersey launched his own “American” brand.
Reported
JetBlue introduces enhanced TrueBlue loyalty benefits[4]
JetBlue introduced enhanced benefits for its TrueBlue loyalty program, made possible through its Northeast Alliance with American.
Sources4 sources
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