Studebaker became one of the largest automakers in the world, along with Ford, after it started purchasing manufacturing plants in Detroit. The plant was built in 1906 and occupied by early automaker E-M-F. Within a couple of years E-M-F was acquired by Studebaker, and in 1910 Studebaker also bought the Piquette plant down the street from Ford Motor Company. At that time, Studebaker and Ford were the two highest-volume automakers in the world.
