In 1858 John Mohler Studebaker bought brother Henry’s share of the Studebaker Brothers (Wagon) Company which then became the C. (for brother Clem) & J. M. Studebaker Company. The company entered the auto industry as a body maker in 1899. In 1902 the company produced its first vehicle, an electric car. In 1908 Studebaker contracted to market the entire output of the E-M-F Company. In 1911 the two firms merged to form the Studebaker Corporation, which produced the first car with a Studebaker name plate in 1912. John M. Studebaker served as chairman of the corporation until his death.