Industry | Automotive |
---|---|
Genre | Sedans, touring cars, limousines, coupes, speedsters, taxis, light trucks |
Founded | 1906 (1902, first car produced)[1] |
Founder | Herbert H. Franklin |
Defunct | 1934 |
Fate | Bankruptcy |
Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | John Wilkinson, chief engineer |
Products | Automobiles Automotive parts |
Owner | Herbert H. Franklin |
Number of employees | 3,210 in 1920 |
Parent | H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company |
The Franklin Automobile Company was a marketer of automobiles in the United States between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse, New York. Herbert H. Franklin, the founder, began his career in the metal die casting business before establishing his automobile enterprise.[2] Controlled by Herbert H. Franklin it had very few other significant shareholders. Franklin bought its vehicles from the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company which was only moderately profitable and frequently missed dividends on common stock.[3]
The two major characteristics of their automobiles were their air-cooled engines and in the early years their lightness and responsiveness when compared with other luxury cars.
The Franklin companies suffered financial collapse in April 1934. Aside from his consequent retirement CEO Herbert Franklin's lifestyle was unaffected.