<P> General Motors wanted automobiles to be status symbols and illustrate a defined social class structure . Thorstein Veblen refers to conspicuous consumption as spending money on luxury goods and services to display power or social status . Through offering different makes and models they offered different levels in social status meeting the demands of consumers needing to display wealth . </P> <P> Ford and General Motors each had their own impact on social status and the type of market they were targeting . Henry Ford focused on delivery one product for the masses . Ford's focus was one car, one color, all for one price . He not only manufactured a product for the masses, but he provided a $5 a day wage so that there was a market to buy this product . In doing these things he eliminated the social status that went along with owning a car . The contrast of that is General Motors offered a product that catered to those looking to gain status by having that sense of individualism and offering different make, models, and quality . </P> <P> The 1930s saw the demise of many auto makers due to the economic effects of the Great Depression, stiff competition from the Big Three, and / or mismanagement . Luxury car makers were particularly affected by the economy, with companies like Stutz Motor Company, Pierce - Arrow Motor Car Company, Peerless Motor Company, Cunningham, and the Marmon Motor Car Company going out of business . The decade also saw several companies with innovative engineering, such as the Doble Steam Motors Corporation (advanced steam engines) and Franklin Automobile Company (air - cooled aluminium engines) going out of business . Errett Lobban Cord, who controlled the Auburn Automobile Company (which also sold the Cord) and the Duesenberg Motor Company, was under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Internal Revenue Service . His auto empire collapsed in 1937 and production ceased . </P> <P> Major technological innovations were introduced or were widely adopted during the 1930s, such as synchromesh manual transmissions, semi-automatic transmissions, automatic transmissions, hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension, and overhead - valve engines . The Cord 810 used front - wheel drive, had hidden headlights, and was offered with a supercharger . Exterior styling designs were more flowing, as shown most noticeably on the Auburn Speedster and the Cord 810 / 812 . Radical air - streamed design was introduced on the Chrysler Airflow, a sales flop, and the Lincoln - Zephyr (both of which used unit - body construction). Packard introduced their "Air Cool - ditioned" car in 1940 . </P>

When was the first car sold in the us