The McLaughlin automobile company began life as the McLaughlin Carriage Company, a blacksmith shop in Enniskillen, Ontario , Canada. The company began making horse-drawn carriages in the mid 19th century but moved to Oshawa, Ontario in 1876. The most successful of their time, producing more than 25,000 carriages a year, the company incorporated as the “McLaughlin Carriage Company, Ltd.” in 1901.

Under the guidance of "Col." Sam McLaughlin (1871-1972), in 1907 the company began the manufacture of automobiles, eventually forming an alliance with William C. Durant, who had acquired the Buick Motor Company that later would become General Motors.

1909 McLaughlin-Buick

During their first few years of operation, the automobiles were known as a "McLaughlin", then the name was changed to "McLaughlin-Buick" until the end of the 1920s, when the McLaughlin was dropped, leaving the "Buick" marquee still in use today. Until 1914 automobiles were finished with the same paints and varnishes used on carriages. This meant that each vehicle required up to fifteen coats of paint. McLauglin revolutionized the industry with their painting process.

In 1918, the McLaughlin family sold their interests to General Motors, but Col. Sam McLaughlin would continue to run the company in his capacity as chairman of the board of General Motors of Canada, in addition to being vice-president and director of the parent company.

See also

• List of automobile manufacturers