Motor City

Detroit has long been recognized as the historic heart of America’s automotive industry, and wears its adopted moniker “Motor City” with pride. It’s simple: Detroit built cars, but it can be said that cars also built Detroit. The city became the gathering place for American automotive leaders who were able to design and produce at volume, and help the world think differently about the possibilities of the auto. For decades, Detroit companies led global automotive innovation—with a passion for forward motion, luxurious design, and jaw-dropping performance. At Crossover, we understand that devotion, and we are just as passionate about exceeding our members’ expectations. By completely rethinking what is possible in healthcare, we are able to focus on your experience with every iteration, every functional requirement, and every way our care teams work together to serve you. Here in this Detroit center, we highlight the brands that have historically led the way in innovation, performance, and style. Forward!

02_Chrysler
CHRYSLER
Originally called the Maxwell Motor Company, this Big Three company was founded by Walter Chrysler in 1925. Chrysler innovated the first mass-produced, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, and their ridged rim wheels (to prevent a flat tire from flying off) were adopted by the automotive industry across the globe. To continue the tradition of leading the way, Chrysler and Philco joined forces to create and produce the world’s first all-transistor car radio in 1955.
03_Oldsmobile
OLDSMOBILE
It’s worth noting that the Olds Motor Vehicle Co. created the first automotive assembly line—though Ford developed a moving line, they are often credited with both innovations. The Oldsmobile Curved Dash was their first production after their entire line of model prototypes burned in a factory fire in 1901. Bought by General Motors in 1908, they produced the high-end Oldsmobile Limited Touring in 1910. It sold at an eye-popping $4,600 US, which was more than a three-bedroom house at the time.
04_Cadillac
CADILLAC
Cadillac’s first two iconic automobiles rolled out in 1902, and were nearly identical to the Ford Model A—which makes sense, considering Henry Ford collaborated with Henry Leland to create the company. Named after the French explorer who founded Detroit in 1701, Cadillac established itself as America’s premier luxury car maker by staying ahead of the curve with its innovative V8 engine, award-winning part interchangeability, and industry-leading precision engineering.
05_GM
GENERAL MOTORS
William C. Durant was a horse-drawn carriage manufacturer with an aversion to automobiles. Yet in 1904, he bought the Buick Motor Company and then founded General Motors, which became part of the Big Three. After two years of being heavily overleveraged, Durant was forced out. He then founded Chevrolet, which Durant brought with him back into the GM family in a later merger. GM quickly surpassed Ford in popularity, selling just over 50% of all vehicles in the US in the early 60’s.
06_Packard
PACKARD
Established in 1899 in Warren, Ohio, the Packard Motor Company was led by brothers William and James Packer and their partner, George Weiss. James was a mechanical engineer who wanted to create a better carriage than the Winton car that Weiss owned—and he did. Packer vehicles featured innovations like air-conditioning and 12-cylinder engines, and a lofty price to match, making them the main competitor for luxury companies like Rolls Royce and Mercedes-Benz.
07_Dodge
DODGE
In 1900, Horace and John Dodge began manufacturing parts for various car companies in Detroit. When they made the complete chassis for Ford’s Model A car, payment was 10% of Ford’s new company. As Ford grew, so did the Dodge brothers’ wealth, and Dodge became its own innovative car company, pioneering the first all-steel body. Around 1916, Dodge was the #2 auto company, which led Ford to stop paying dividends, causing the brothers to sue, and ultimately they were awarded $25M.
08_Lincoln
LINCOLN
After helping create Cadillac, Henry Leland named this car company after the first president he ever voted for. Later, the Lincoln Motor Company secured a $10M contract to produce V12 aircraft engines, but when World War 1 ended, so did the contract. In 1920, Leland retooled his factory to produce automobiles, but struggled with the transition and nearly went bankrupt. Two years later, Ford bought it for half of what it was worth, and the Lelands were forced to resign.
09_Saxon
SAXON
Developed by Hugh Chalmers, the Saxon Motor Car Company existed for about ten years. At its peak, it was the eighth largest producer of automobiles in America. Founded in Detroit around 1913, the 2-seat roadster was its first offering. In 1915 they debuted the Saxon Six, which was a six-passenger vehicle. The Six was durable, easy to operate, and affordable—known for its fuel economy, it was the car of choice for carting around the influential Charles Lindbergh’s family.
10_Hudson
HUDSON
Hudson Motor Car Company made its first car in 1909—it was affordable, sold well, and launched the growth of the company. Hudson introduced several “firsts” to the industry, including dual brakes, the use of dashboard warning lights, and in 1939, he hired one of America’s first female automotive designers—Elizabeth Ann Thatcher. Her contributions to the 1941 model include designing exterior side lights, the interior instrument panel, and interior fabric details.
11_Rickenbacker
RICKENBACKER
Eddie Rickenbacker was a distinguished war vet, fighter pilot, and race car driver who lived in Detroit. He was approached by Barney Everitt, who knew that the Rickenbacker name and fame would kickstart his new motor company. The duo made the first mid-priced car with four-wheel brakes—competitors like Ford and Studebaker campaigned that the car was unsafe. As a result, Rickenbacker sales suffered, which ultimately led to the company’s demise.
12_Maxwell
MAXWELL
The sole survivor of the collapsed United States Motor Company, Maxwell Motor Company was reorganized by Walter Flanders, a mass production expert. Maxwell was one of the first car companies to market to women and hire them in equal numbers to men. In 1914, Maxwell held a dealership reception featuring prominent suffragettes, and during the party, onlookers could watch a woman assemble and disassemble a Maxwell motor through a showroom window.
13_Ford
FORD
Founded in 1903, the Ford Motor Company is one of the Big Three automotive manufacturers. The company’s breakthrough moment was in 1908 when they introduced the Model T—that launch included a factory assembly line that not only could meet production demand, but also revolutionized manufacturing. By 1920, two out of every three cars on the road were Model Ts, and this popular vehicle was followed by many other classics like the Thunderbird in 1955 and the Mustang in 1964.
14_Paige
GRAHAM-PAIGE
The three Graham brothers got their start in the automotive industry producing modification kits that turned cars into trucks. Dodge eventually bought the Graham Brothers’ business, but after just two years, the brothers went out on their own again. They bought the Paige-Detroit Motor Company in 1927, and worked in the auto industry for over 25 years before pivoting into real estate, eventually purchasing the Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.
15_Delorean 2
DELOREAN
John DeLorean founded his Motor Company in Detroit in 1975, funded with business loans, partnerships, and private investments from celebrities including Sammy Davis, Jr. and Johnny Carson. The luxury car shipped from its factory in Northern Ireland in 1981, but for various reasons, the company went bankrupt the following year—2,500 jobs along with $100M in investments were lost. The only model produced was made famous in the Michael J. Fox blockbuster Back to the Future.
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ARTWORK OVERVIEW
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