Lozier
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The Lozier Motor Company was a Brass era producer of automobiles in the United States of America. The company produced luxury automobiles from 1900 to 1915.
The Lozier Motor Company was founded in Plattsburgh, New York by Jerry Arthur, an Ohio born sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer.
After selling his bicycle business, Lozier moved to Plattsburgh to manufacture boat engines. In 1900, he entered the automobile business. In 1903, Lozier died and his son Harry took over the company.
Loziers were top line luxury cars and for a time were the most expensive cars produced in the United States. The 1910 model line featured cars priced between US$4,600 and US$7,750. The same year, a Cadillac could be had for about US$1,600 and a Packard cost US$3,200. The average annual salary in America that year was approximately US$750.
The company was moved to Detroit in 1910. In 1911, a Lozier was entered into the first running of the Indianapolis 500. The car finished second in a controversial scoring decision and many observers felt that the Lozier had actually won the race.
Because of Lozier's limited market niche, the company only produced a few thousand cars during its brief lifespan. Production peaked in the 1912 model year when 600 cars were produced.
The company faced new pressures as more manufacturers entered the market. Frederick C. Chandler, Lozier's top designer, left the company in 1913 and formed the Chandler Motor Company which produced cars similar to the Lozier but at a substantially lower sales price. Chandler took several top company executives with him producing a brain drain from which the company never recovered.
Lozier tried to expand into the mid priced car market and in 1914 offered a 4 cylinder car priced at US$2,000. The car was not a sales success and company finances continued to falter. After a failed attempt to merge with Ford Motor Company, the company declared bankruptcy in 1915.
