Studebaker Around the World
Learn about Studebaker's robust international presence dating back to its wagon-manufacturing days
The Celebrated Studebaker Wagon (1882) by Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing CompanyStudebaker National Museum
Going global
Studebaker’s international presence began with Clem Studebaker who, in 1876, traveled abroad to help build the company's international presence. In the late 1870's Studebaker presented wagons at expositions in France, Spain, and Portugal.
Communications with Columbia (1935-05-11) by Studebaker Export CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Studebaker export corporation
Studebaker eventually established the Studebaker Export Corporation to manage international markets and create language-specific sales materials. This envelope was sent to Arvid (A.L.) Frank, the then-president of the Studebaker Export Corporation, from a dealer Colombia in 1935.
Shipping Cars Overseas?
Shipping a fully assembled car is expensive, so Studebaker turned to Knocked-Down Kits. This system allowed vehicles to be shipped either in sets of parts (Completely Knocked Down) or partially assembled units (Semi-Knocked Down) to be finished at overseas plants. A contemporary example of this practice is IKEA furniture. IKEA saves money and can ship more furniture because it is "flat-packed" and assembled by you!
The Great Indian Motor Works (1934-12-17) by Studebaker Export CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Exported vehicles
Besides forming relationships with local automakers around the world, the Studebaker Export Corporation also cultivated networks of international dealers to sell Studebaker vehicles, such as the one featured in this correspondence located in Kolkata (Calcutta).
Assembly Around the World
Click on the images to learn more about each assembly plant!
North America
South America
Europe
Africa
Studebaker in Asia (1930/1935) by Studebaker Export CorporationStudebaker National Museum
Asia
Unfortunately, the Studebaker National Museum does not have any photos of the assembly plants in Australia or New Zealand. A member of Australia's Studebaker Club and former plant employee documented Studebaker's presence in Australia in an article in the Studebaker Driving Club's magazine, Turning Wheels.
Jim Quigley, a worker at the Studebaker's Melbourne assembly plant, explains, "An agreement was reached in October of 1959 to start assembling RHC Studebakers at the Melbourne plant" (Quigley 40). Quigley also offers insight into when assembly ended in Australia, "Studebaker assembly continued on steadily through 1965 and 1966 until the final vehicle was completed in August of 1966, a four door manual sedan" (Quigley 41).
The End of the Road
Even after the main South Bend Plant closed its doors in 1963, Studebakers continued to be made at the factory in Hamilton, Ontario. Studebaker discontinued its export operations when it shipped its last knocked-down kits to Uitenhage, South Africa, and Haifa, Israel in 1964. After the Ontario plant shut its doors in 1966, however, some of the remaining kits were assembled in Australia and Israel.
Watch the video below to learn more about the international afterlife of Studebaker in Israel!
Quigley, Jim. "Studebaker -- a Fifty Year Association," in Turning Wheels, June 2010, Vol. 42 No. 6, pp. 40-41.
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