The Argo Electric Vehicle Company, founded in 1910 in Saginaw, Michigan, represents one of the earliest and most ambitious ventures in electric automobile manufacturing. Though it operated for only a few years, Argo introduced luxury electric vehicles with features far ahead of their time.
With advanced power systems, innovative drivetrains, and a strong focus on comfort, Argo helped shape the early identity of the electric car—even as the market shifted decisively toward gasoline engines.
Key Takeaways
- Founded in 1910 in Saginaw, Michigan, Argo began producing electric vehicles in 1912, focusing on luxury and innovation.
- The 1912 Argo Brougham featured a 60-volt Westinghouse motor, 75-mile estimated range, and six forward and reverse speeds, making it advanced for its time.
- In 1914, Argo merged with Broc and Borland to form the American Electric Car Company, aiming to consolidate electric vehicle development.
- By 1916, Argo’s assets were acquired by Columbia Motors Company, which sought its N.A.C.C. license rather than continuing EV production.
- Despite its short life, Argo remains a symbol of early electric vehicle ambition, blending refined engineering with bold commercial vision during the Brass Era.
Company Origins and Founding
Argo was established by local investors who purchased and repurposed the Sommer Brothers Match Company building at South Jefferson and Atwater in downtown Saginaw. The company began with high aspirations, intending to produce refined electric cars for the upper class.
Although Argo was founded in 1910, vehicle production began in 1912 after retooling delays and facility modifications. From the outset, Argo positioned itself not just as a carmaker, but as a leader in electric innovation during an era when gasoline, steam, and electric propulsion were all competing for dominance.
Despite their success in electric vehicles, General Motors History shows that the market was dominated by gasoline-powered cars during that era.
Technological Innovations and Vehicle Features
Argo Electric Vehicle Company channeled its technical ambition into a series of thoughtfully engineered models, designed to blend performance with refinement.
Argo produced several electric vehicles, the most notable being the:
1912 Argo Brougham
- Motor: 60-volt Westinghouse DC electric motor
- Battery: 30 MV Exide 190 Ah batteries
- Range: Estimated 75 miles per charge
- Transmission: Six forward and six reverse speeds
- Top speed: ~20 mph
- Wheelbase: 110 inches
- Weight: ~3,200 lbs
- Design: Four-passenger closed-body electric car with luxury trim
- Features: 36×4 cushion tires, 18-inch steering wheel, electric lighting, and plush interiors
Other models included the 1913 Argo Electric Fore-Drive Limousine, with an 80-volt drive system and rear shaft drive.
Their electric automobiles utilized a 60-volt system with Westinghouse motors, reaching speeds of up to 20 mph. Distinctively, these vehicles offered 6 forward and 6 reverse speeds, showcasing remarkable engineering.
With a 110-inch wheelbase, Argo provided superior stability and ride quality.
Partnership and Merger With Broc and Borland
In January 1914, Argo merged with the Broc Electric Vehicle Company and the Borland Electric Company, creating the American Electric Car Company. This move aimed to consolidate electric vehicle expertise and resources amid growing competitive pressures.
Despite this collaboration, the three companies maintained separate production identities under the new umbrella, but consolidation was not enough to counteract the increasing dominance of gasoline vehicles.
Acquisition by Columbia Motors Company
By 1916, mounting financial challenges and declining electric vehicle demand forced Argo and its partners to cease operations. That year, Columbia Motors Company, a Detroit-based manufacturer of gasoline cars, acquired Argo’s assets—primarily to gain access to its National Automobile Chamber of Commerce (N.A.C.C.) license, which allowed participation in prestigious auto shows.
Columbia had no intention of continuing electric vehicle production, marking the end of Argo’s electric legacy.
Market Challenges and Competition
During the Brass Age, Argo faced intense competition from gasoline-powered automobile companies. The market was tough, and these factors played a role:
- Gasoline vehicles became cheaper, faster, and easier to refuel, especially with Ford’s Model T leading mass-market affordability.
- Electric cars like Argo’s, despite innovations, couldn’t match the infrastructure, range flexibility, and cost of combustion engines.
- Argo’s niche appeal, with high production costs and limited scalability, made it vulnerable to consolidation trends of the 1910s.
Legacy and Historical Significance
Although short-lived, the Argo Electric Vehicle Company was a technological leader of its time. Its vehicles offered advanced features—such as multiple drive speeds, long-range battery packs, and refined ride quality—that reflected a forward-thinking approach to transportation.
The 1912 Argo Brougham and 1913 Fore-Drive Limousine are celebrated today in auction houses and museums, with a 1913 model fetching over $110,000 at RM Sotheby’s in 2011. These rare survivors highlight Argo’s role in the early EV narrative.
While Argo’s direct influence on modern electric vehicles like the Tesla is limited, its existence underscores a key truth: that the ideas powering today’s EV resurgence were already well underway more than a century ago.
Electric cars today, like the Tesla Model 3, continue to build on this legacy by offering lower total ownership costs compared to traditional gasoline cars.
