1916 Rauch & Lang Electric BX6 Brougham

Rauch & Lang, a company based in Cleveland, Ohio, had its roots in the carriage trade, established in 1884 by Jacob Rauch and Charles Lang. Specializing in high-quality horse-drawn carriages, their products were known for their prestige and higher cost. In 1903, the company took its first step into the realm of "horseless carriages" by acquiring a Buffalo electric motor and controller supplier, Hertner Electric. By 1908, Rauch & Lang was producing 500 cars a year in a range of open and closed body configurations. These electric cars found popularity among the rich and wealthy due to their ease of driving, quiet operation, and capacity for carrying heavy coachwork with multiple passengers, thanks to high-torque motors. With the rise of the self-starter gasoline cars, Rauch & Lang's sales began to decline, so in 1915 the company merged with Cleveland, Ohio competitor, Baker Electric, and continued to offer several passenger models under the Rauch & Lang brand. However, in 1920, their electric car business was acquired by the Stevens-Duryea Company, and the production of Rauch & Lang's electric cars was moved to a new factory, where they started manufacturing taxis with both petrol and electric powertrains. While petrol-powered cabs proved more successful, the demand for electric vehicles waned. By 1929, Rauch & Lang made one final push, experimenting with a petrol/electric hybrid vehicle in collaboration with General Electric, but the Wall Street Crash of October 1929 would deal a fatal blow to Rauch & Lang, resulting in their downfall.