What car company is black-owned?

[DeCole]

There are no major, mainstream automobile manufacturers that are currently 100% black-owned. The automotive manufacturing industry at the global scale is dominated by large conglomerates with diverse ownership structures. However, the landscape includes historically significant black-owned manufacturers from the early 20th century, contemporary luxury and specialty brands founded by Black entrepreneurs, and a growing number of innovative mobility startups with Black founders. Understanding "black-owned" requires looking beyond mass production to pioneering companies, bespoke coachbuilders, and the future of electric and autonomous vehicles.

The most definitive historical example is the C.R. Patterson & Sons Company, founded in 1915 by Charles Richard Patterson. Emerging from a successful carriage-building business, it is recognized as the first and only African American-owned automobile company. Based in Greenfield, Ohio, it produced the Patterson-Greenfield automobile. While production ceased in the late 1930s, its legacy is cemented in automotive history. No other entity from that era achieved comparable scale in vehicle manufacturing.

In the modern era, ownership is often through founding or controlling stakes. A prominent example is Bollinger Motors, founded by Robert Bollinger. While it has received investment from various sources, Robert Bollinger remains the public face and founder, making it a significant Black-founded EV company focused on all-electric utility trucks and SUVs like the B4 and B1.

The realm of ultra-luxury and customization offers another avenue. Derham, an elite coachbuilding company with roots dating back to 1887, was owned and operated by the Black entrepreneur Ralph B. DeRham from the mid-20th century until its closure. It specialized in custom bodies for luxury chassis from Rolls-Royce and Duesenberg.

For a clear overview of key entities, the following table summarizes their status and focus:

Company Name	Era / Status	Key Notes & Founder/Lead
C.R. Patterson & Sons	Historic (1915-1939)	First African American-owned car company; produced Patterson-Greenfield automobile. Founded by Charles Richard Patterson.
Bollinger Motors	Contemporary (Operating)	Black-founded electric vehicle manufacturer specializing in rugged utility trucks (B4) and SUVs (B1). Founded by Robert Bollinger.
Derham	Historic Coachbuilder (Operated c. 1960s)	Prestigious custom coachbuilder owned by Ralph B. DeRham, creating bespoke bodies on luxury automotive chassis.

Today, the spirit of black ownership is vigorous in the mobility technology and aftermarket sectors. Companies like P1 Motors, founded by former IndyCar driver Andrew Pilgrim, provide high-performance modifications and engineering. In the commercial space, The Anderson Company (ANCO) founded by Moses Anderson was once a major supplier of windshield wipers. While not car manufacturers in the traditional sense, their leadership and innovation are central to the automotive ecosystem.

Looking forward, the electric and autonomous vehicle revolution is creating new opportunities. Startups and ventures in this space, often led by Black engineers and entrepreneurs, represent the next chapter. Their work in battery technology, fleet management software, and next-generation design is reshaping what ownership and influence within the industry can look like, moving beyond the traditional factory assembly line model.

[KiaraLee]

As someone who loves car history, the story of C.R. Patterson & Sons hits different. It’s not just a trivia fact—it’s a proof point. In the early 1900s, they actually built and sold a complete automobile, the Patterson-Greenfield. That’s monumental. Today, when I see a company like Bollinger Motors with its all-electric trucks, I see that same pioneering drive. It’s not about the giant corporations; it’s about the founders who see a path and build it themselves. Robert Bollinger is doing that now, just as Charles Patterson did over a century ago. That thread of innovation is what defines a black-owned car company for me.

[OEmma]

My perspective comes from following the business and investment side of the auto industry. The term "black-owned" in the context of major car companies is complex. No publicly traded global automaker fits that definition due to their vast, dispersed shareholder bases. The real narrative is about founding ownership, controlling interest, and legacy.

When analyzing this, I look at entities where Black leadership had or has definitive control over the brand and product vision. The historical case is clear-cut: C.R. Patterson & Sons was a manufacturing company wholly owned by an African American family. In the modern market, Bollinger Motors is a critical case study. Founder Robert Bollinger established the company and its distinct product direction. While external funding is part of growth, the founding vision and brand identity remain intrinsically linked to Black entrepreneurship.

This distinction is crucial for accurate research. The value lies not in finding a "black-owned Ford," but in recognizing the significant contributions and ownership within niche manufacturing, advanced technology startups, and the extensive supply chain that powers the entire industry.

[MacMaya]

Let’s get practical. If you’re asking because you want to support Black businesses in the auto world, here’s what you should know.

You can’t walk into a mainstream dealer and buy a car from a 100% black-owned manufacturer. That model doesn’t exist today at that scale. But your support can go very far in other areas.

Look at the makers of the vehicles themselves. Bollinger Motors is taking reservations for their all-electric trucks. That’s a direct purchase from a Black-founded manufacturer. Look at the ecosystem. Companies like P1 Motors do incredible performance work. You could commission them for upgrades. And remember the history—places like the Petersen Museum preserve the story of the Patterson company. Supporting them helps keep that legacy alive. It’s about broadening your view of what “car company” means.

[OPhoebe]

For our community, this question is about more than commerce; it’s about legacy, representation, and economic empowerment. We take immense pride in Charles R. Patterson, who transitioned from freeing himself from slavery to building a successful carriage business and then, audaciously, an automobile company. That’s our story of resilience and innovation.

Today, that torch is carried by modern entrepreneurs. We see Robert Bollinger navigating the capital-intensive EV space, a field with few Black founders. We celebrate the engineers and designers leading teams at major companies or launching their own tech startups. True ownership now also means owning intellectual property, software, and new mobility concepts.

The goal isn’t just to find a label. It’s to acknowledge the historical barriers while actively championing the builders, creators, and founders who are shaping the future of transportation. Their success paves the way for more investment, more opportunities, and finally shifts the narrative from a single historic company to a thriving, visible community of leaders across the entire automotive landscape.