The largest number of firsts...

[knightjp]

ABS, Independant suspension, etc.. just a couple of standard equipment we find in most modern cars these days.
The Mercedes S Class has been credited as being the first car to have such features as optional or standard. In fact some say that if you want to see what the average car of tomorrow will have, you need to look at the S Class of today.
That being said, we all know that Mercedes may have been the first to have many things but not all the current features can be credited to them.
Anyways, my interest lies in the American manufacturers and which one can boast the largest number of firsts.. And I'm not talking about who was the first American manufacturer to have etc, etc, etc...
I'm talking which American car brand can boast the largest number of firsts in the world. The first car in the world to have... etc, etc, etc...

[MagicRat]

This is a tough one. Many innovative features are actually much older than we think. We think overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder are modern, but both were first put into production almost 100 years ago.

A more specific example, independedent suspension on all 4 wheels is WAY older than the Mercedes S-class. The Volkswagen Beetle had IRS all-around with the very first prototype in the late 1930's. And the Beetle definitely was not the first, it was a well-established concept back then.

Perhaps you might want to look at which manufacturer has (or had) the greatest number of patents.

Otherwise, I suspect General Motors had the greatest number of firsts in the North American market, simply due to it had the greatest amount of engineering resources and the largest market share for many decades.

[knightjp]

Originally Posted by lee21don

ABS, Independant suspension, etc.. just a couple of standard equipment we find in most modern cars these days.
The Mercedes S Class has been credited as being the first car to have such features as optional or standard. In fact some say that if you want to see what the average car of tomorrow will have, you need to look at the S Class of today.

Yeah, you just copied a part of my post ... Anything to add to it???

[CivicSpoon]

Does Saab count as "American"? They certainly have a lot of "firsts".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Au...le#Innovations
http://www.saabsunited.com/2005/12/s...novations.html

[knightjp]

Originally Posted by CivicSpoon

Does Saab count as "American"? They certainly have a lot of "firsts".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Au...le#Innovations
http://www.saabsunited.com/2005/12/s...novations.html

For that matter I could count Volvo for the number of innovations they made...
I'm more interested in the innovations done by American manufacturers...

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by knightjp

For that matter I could count Volvo for the number of innovations they made...
I'm more interested in the innovations done by American manufacturers...

Here's a few innovations that US manufacturers poineered. I am taking this from memory, so it might be a bit inaccurate, and some of my dates might be a bit off, but you get the idea.

Electric starter - GM, approx 1913

Standardized automotive parts - Cadillac, 1905 or so. This was a big deal back then when most complex devices required hand fitting and finishing when assembled.

Moving assembly line - Ford 1910 or so.

Mass production of all-steel bodies - GM about 1933 or so.

Airbags as optional equipment - GM 1974

Power steering - GM, 1950 or so.

Ball-joint suspension - Ford 1953 or so.

Fully automatic transmission - GM (Oldsmobile) 1939.

Air conditioning as a production option - Nash (I think), late 1930's.

Synchromesh manual transmissions (GM, 1930's, I think)

Intermittent windshield wipers.

Automatic dimming headlights

Catalytic converters - As I recall, these were developed by an American firm in the 1950's, but saw widespread use by many manufacturers starting in 1975.

Rear-view mirrors -

[knightjp]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Here's a few innovations that US manufacturers poineered. I am taking this from memory, so it might be a bit inaccurate, and some of my dates might be a bit off, but you get the idea....

-

Great list... How about the engine dept. Any first in terms of Engine design and development???

[Dunerider600]

Safety-----Volvo introduced the first production three-point belt in 1959.

[Brandon455]

Safety-----Volvo introduced the first production three-point belt in 1959.