Baker [4] (United States) - AllCarIndex

Baker Motor Vehicle Company was established in 1898 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Walter C. Baker, who was instrumental in the development of electric vehicles in the United States. He collaborated with Henry Morris and Pedro Salom on the Electrobat cars in 1893 before founding his own company with the support of his father-in-law, Rollin C. White, known for his contributions to the WHITE and ROLLIN car brands.

The Baker electric vehicle lineup began with a simple tiller-steered two-seater runabout, priced at $850. Notably, Thomas Edison was among the early customers, purchasing one as his first car. The initial offerings expanded by 1904 to include four styles, including the uniquely named Physician’s Chapalete. By 1907, Baker had diversified its range to fourteen models, with the most expensive being the Extension Front Brougham, which sold for $4,000. The company achieved significant production milestones, reaching an annual output of 400 vehicles in 1905 and doubling that figure the following year, making Baker the largest producer of electric vehicles globally at the time.

In addition to passenger cars, Baker introduced trucks in 1907, available in various sizes up to five tons. The company adopted shaft drive on some models by 1910, and their runabouts featured bonnets that gave them a resemblance to gasoline-powered vehicles. Prominent figures, including the King of Siam and Mrs. William Howard Taft, were among the owners of Baker electrics.

However, by 1914, Baker faced declining sales due to increased competition from Detroit and other manufacturers. In 1915, the company merged with another Cleveland electric car maker, Rauch & Lang. The Baker brand continued to produce vehicles only until the 1916 season, while Rauch & Lang operated until 1920 in Cleveland and for several additional years in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. Under the merged entity, they also produced the Owen Magnetic car, with Baker handling the chassis and Rauch & Lang responsible for the bodies. After the merger, Baker continued to manufacture electric industrial trucks, while Rauch & Lang produced bodies for various mid-sized car manufacturers.