Austin production companies9/6/2023 ![]() ![]() Īustin became a public listed company in 1914 when the capital was increased to £650,000. Ambulances and commercial vehicles were also provided. In February 1914 Austin-manufactured bodies in tourer, limousine, landaulette and coupé styles could be provided with engines of 15, 20, 30 and 60 hp. The published customer list included Russian Grand Dukes, Princesses, Bishops, high officials of the Spanish government and a long list of Britain's highest nobility. 1910Īustin's cars, like Wolseley's, were luxury vehicles. Austin Motors showroom, Long Acre, London, c. Herbert Austin remained chairman and managing director. After that Harvey Du Cros junior of the Swift Cycle Co and Austin each held approximately half of the ordinary capital. 1907 30hp 1908 100hp Grand Prix Race CarĪ further injection of capital was needed in 1906 and William Harvey Du Cros (1846–1918) joined the board of directors. His new car had a vertical engine and, in all but minor detail, was identical to the English-built Clément-Gladiators assembled in the same factory. ![]() He had parted from the Vickers brothers because he had refused to use the then more conventional vertical engine in Wolseley cars. Two things were noticeable about Austin's new design. The sole concessionaire for sale of the cars was Mr Harvey Du Cros junior. ![]() In the last week of April 1906 a large body of motorists travelled to Longbridge "where snow lay full three inches deep on the ground and was still falling fast" to see the new Austin car, a conventional four-cylinder model with chain drive. The following month The Austin Motor Company Limited was incorporated. It was located seven miles south-west of Birmingham in the small village of Longbridge (then still within Worcestershire). In November 1905 Herbert Austin acquired a disused printing works which was less than ten years old. However, Austin's great rival, William Morris, was able to enter the industry proper (he first repaired cars) a little later funding his operation entirely from his own resources. Further assistance came from Dunlop patent holder Harvey du Cros. Kayser provided funds through mortgages and loans, debentures and guarantees to the Midland Bank thereby allowing Austin to keep virtually total ownership of his own business through his personal savings. Leaving his creation, Wolseley, which he had made Britain's largest motor vehicle manufacturer, Austin obtained the backing of steel magnate Frank Kayser for his own enterprise. In 1905 he fell out with Thomas and Albert Vickers over engine design. By 1901 his fellow directors could not see future profit in motor vehicles and so with their blessing and the backing of the Vickers brothers Austin started a separate car manufacturing business still using the name Wolseley. The third car, a four-wheeler, was completed in 1899. Starting in 1895, he built three cars in his free time. While running the original Wolseley business, which had a highly cyclical sales pattern, Herbert Austin searched for products with a steady demand. History Herbert Austin 1905 Īt Longbridge, near Birmingham" 1905–1918: Formation and development The trademark is currently owned by the Chinese firm SAIC Motor, after being transferred from bankrupt subsidiary Nanjing Automotive which had acquired it with MG Rover Group in July 2005. In 1952 it was merged with Morris Motors Limited in the new holding company British Motor Corporation (BMC) Limited, keeping its separate identity. The Austin Motor Company Limited was an English manufacturer of motor vehicles, founded in 1905 by Herbert Austin in Longbridge. For the unrelated American Austin company 1901–1921, see Austin Automobile Company.Īutomobiles / Rover / Austin Rover / MG / Morrisīritish Leyland ( Austin Rover) (1967–1988) ![]() For Austin's American subsidiary, see American Austin Car Company. ![]()
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