The Essex Motor Company was an American automotive manufacturer founded in 1918. Essex was created by the Hudson Motor Company as an affordable alternative to the higher priced Hudson cars. Essex was originally a separate entity, owned by Hudson, yet in 1922, the Essex Motor Company was dissolved, the brand operated directly under Hudson control. Essex produced a small range of inexpensive open or closed top vehicles, and is often credited with popularizing closed body styles in the 1920s. In 1932, Hudson begn to phase out the Essex name with the introduction of Essex-Terraplane. Hudson produced the Essex-Terraplane until 1934, afterwards the brand and models were known as Terraplane.