Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company of South Bend, Indiana, supplied the North during the Civil War and the British during the Boer War. Producing horsedrawn wagons and carriages, starting in 1854, was a profitable business. They also supplied the British and American governments during World War I.

On the automobile front, at the urging of son-in-law Fred Fish in 1902, Studebaker built 20 electric vehicles that were designed by Thomas Edison. They built electric vehicles until 1912 and ceased building horsedrawn implements in 1919. Studebaker began building combustion-engined automobiles in 1904 despite John Studebaker saying that "they stink to high heaven."

Studebaker Commander, Dictator and President models were stars of breaking endurance reliability records (5,000 miles in less than 4,800 minutes, among others). Studebakers won countless stock car races and in 1930 two Presidents were privately entered in the Indianapolis 500. Two years later Studebaker launched a factory effort on the 500 and driver Cliff Begere finished third.

Success on the track and endurance records were not enough to keep the company afloat. The purchase of Pierce-Arrow in 1928 proved to be a poor buying decision and Studebaker went into receivership in March 1933.

Studebaker fought back from the brink, sold their stock of Pierce-Arrow for $1,000,000 and began a vigorous advertising campaign stating "Studebaker Carries On." By 1939 conditions had improved and new vehicles were designed and built. Studebakers savior was a six cylinder car named Champion. A Champion taken to Indianapolis Motor Speedway completed 15,000 miles in less than 15,000 minutes. Yet another endurance success. The company seemed on their feet again after the Second World War. Studebaker closed their final plant in Canada in 1966.