Continental [5] (United States)

The Continental Automobile Company was established in 1933 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a division of the Continental Motors Corporation, which was a leading supplier of engines to the American automobile industry. The formation of Continental aimed to revitalize the DeVaux-Hall Motor Corporation, which had ceased operations in early 1932. The company initially continued to produce the DeVaux model under the name DeVaux-Continental before rebranding it simply as Continental in 1933.

Under the Continental name, the company offered three distinct models: the Beacon, a four-cylinder vehicle priced from $355; the Flyer, a six-cylinder model ranging from $450 to $535; and the Ace, which sold for between $725 and $816. The Continental vehicles were recognized for their affordability, with the Beacon being noted as one of the lowest-priced cars available in the United States at the time, second only to the American Austin.

However, the Continental brand faced significant challenges due to the economic climate of the Great Depression, with 1933 marking one of the lowest points in the economic downturn. The company managed to sell only 3,310 units that year. By 1934, only the Beacon model continued production, but it was eventually phased out with fewer than 1,000 units manufactured. Additionally, Continental cars were marketed in Canada under the Frontenac name, with the Beacon and Flyer models assembled locally, while the Ace was imported and rebadged for sale.