Cantono (United States)

Cantono was an early automotive brand founded by Captain Eugenio Cantono, an Italian army officer, in the early 20th century. The company initially focused on the development of a two-wheeled electric fore carriage designed to motorize horse-drawn carriages. This innovative design featured batteries mounted over the axle and independent drive motors for each wheel, allowing for improved mobility. The carriage was modified to include band brakes for enhanced safety.

The Cantono designs were marketed in France starting in 1902 by the Compagnie des Voitures Électriques of Saint-Ouen and in the United States by the Cantono Electric Tractor Company based in Marion, New Jersey, from 1904 to 1907. An American journalist described the vehicle as "a ponderous creation," reflecting its substantial build.

In 1906, the parent company underwent a rebranding to Società Anonima FRAM (Fabbrica Rotabili Avantreni Motori) and relocated its operations to Genoa. The 1906 product lineup included the Tipo A, designed for private carriages, the Tipo B for commercial vehicles, and the Tipo Turismo, which was offered as a complete vehicle. Subsequent models featured a bonnet that concealed the motors and batteries, giving them a more conventional appearance akin to petrol cars.

By 1906, FRAM introduced a model equipped with a two-cylinder petrol engine, marking a shift in their product offerings. The company began to focus more on commercial vehicles around 1909, which became their sole products from 1911 until the company ceased operations in 1913. After the closure, development continued for two more years in France, where designs were produced by De Dion-Bouton. Notably, several FRAM vehicles were utilized for refuse collection in Paris, highlighting their practical applications during that era.