Elgin [1] (United States) - AllCarIndex

Elgin was an American automobile manufacturer that originated from the Elgin Sewing Machine & Bicycle Company, based in Elgin, Illinois. Founded in 1899, the company transitioned from producing sewing machines to developing electric vehicles during the early days of the automotive industry.

The company produced a light electric car that was notable for its ability to travel up to 75 miles (120 km) on a single charge, although it was limited to a maximum speed of 8 mph (12 km/h). Despite this innovative approach, only five units of the vehicle were manufactured before the company ceased operations.

By the end of 1899, the Elgin factory was acquired by a group of Chicago businessmen, who repurposed it to manufacture a different vehicle known as the Winner. The brief existence of Elgin highlights the challenges faced by early automotive ventures in a rapidly evolving industry.