The Cartercar company was founded in Michigan in 1905, but like many automobile companies of this era, it didn't last long. The company was known for its innovative "friction drive" transmission, a precursor to the standard automatic transmission. Cartercars' most notable models are the "R" and the "S" which featured a chain drive. The company only produced a few hundred examples a year and, in 1909, was bought by GM. By 1915 the board at GM decided to cancel the Cartercar company after slow demand for the vehicle.