The Mobile Company of America was a U.S. steam automobile manufacturer founded in 1899 by John B. Walker after a fallout with businessman Amzi L. Barber, whose financing had earlier allowed Walker to purchase the now well-known Stanley Steamer concern. By 1903, the Mobile Company of America was out of business, while Barber's Locomobile Company of America abandoned steam car production in 1901 in favor of petrol-engined vehicles, selling the Stanley brothers back their factory and steam engine patents for $20,000 despite having originally paid $250,000 for the operation. [1] [2]