New Era
A short-lived American automobile marque produced in Camden, New Jersey, between 1901 and 1902.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
New Era was an early American automobile marque associated with the Automobile and Marine Power Company of Camden, New Jersey. The company initially concentrated on producing engines and marine or automotive power equipment, but in 1901 it expanded its ambitions to the manufacture of complete automobiles. The resulting New Era was a basic early motor car that reflected the experimental engineering and utilitarian design conventions of the period. The vehicle placed its engine beneath the seat, an arrangement used by some early automobile manufacturers to simplify construction and preserve cabin space. It used tiller steering rather than a conventional steering wheel and was equipped with a side crank for starting or engine operation. These features positioned the New Era as a relatively simple, mechanically focused automobile rather than a luxury or performance product. The listed base price was $700, while optional equipment could increase the purchase price to $850. This pricing placed the automobile within the emerging market for relatively accessible motor vehicles, although early cars remained expensive compared with many contemporary consumer goods. The available historical record does not identify a distinct individual founder, a broad dealer network, production volumes, or a substantial model range. New Era automobile production was brief. Manufacturing began in 1901 and ceased in 1902, leaving the marque as a minor and short-lived participant in the formative American automobile industry. It should not be confused with the much later New Era headwear company, which is a separate business and subject.
History
The New Era automobile emerged from the Automobile and Marine Power Company in Camden, New Jersey. Before entering complete-vehicle manufacturing, the company was engaged in producing engines and related power equipment. In 1901 it decided to move beyond component production and build an automobile under the New Era name. The resulting car represented the straightforward engineering approach common among many early American automobile ventures. Its engine was positioned beneath the seat, while steering was handled by a tiller. A side crank was also part of the operating arrangement. These choices indicate a vehicle designed around mechanical simplicity and compact packaging rather than the standardized layouts that later became dominant in the automobile industry. The New Era was advertised with a base price of $700. Buyers who selected available options could see the price rise to $850. The distinction between base and option-equipped pricing illustrates the early automobile market's developing practice of selling a relatively simple standard vehicle while offering additional equipment at extra cost. No reliable production total, sales figure, or detailed option catalogue is identified in the available reference material. The marque's automobile production lasted only from 1901 to 1902. It therefore had little opportunity to establish a durable product family, manufacturing scale, or long-term commercial identity. The end of production places New Era among the numerous small early American automobile ventures that experimented with vehicle design during the industry's formative years but did not survive into the period of larger-scale consolidation. The historical subject is specifically the automobile company and its short-lived car, not the unrelated modern American headwear brand that uses the same name.
- 1902
Automobile production ends
[1]Production of the New Era automobile ceased after a brief manufacturing run.
- 1901
Expansion into complete automobiles
[1]The Automobile and Marine Power Company moved from producing engines and related power equipment into the manufacture of complete automobiles under the New Era name.
- 1901
New Era automobile introduced
[1]The New Era entered the market as a basic automobile with an under-seat engine, tiller steering, and a side crank. Its base price was $700, with options raising the price to $850.
Products and positioning
A basic, utilitarian early automobile offered with a low-complexity mechanical layout and a published base price of $700.
Early automobile · 1901
New Era automobile
The New Era was a basic American motor car produced in Camden, New Jersey. Its engine was mounted beneath the seat, and the vehicle used tiller steering and a side crank. The published base price was $700, with optional equipment increasing the price to $850. The model appears to have been the marque's principal and possibly only identified automobile offering. Production lasted from 1901 to 1902.
Controversies
2007
New Era removes New York Yankees cap designs amid gang-symbol controversy
The company voluntarily withdrew three Yankees cap styles after activists and public officials argued that bandanna-like patterns and a gold crown resembled symbols associated with several gangs. New Era said it did not market to gangs and acted after being notified of the concerns.
2007
Withdrawal of three Yankees cap designs
New Era voluntarily removed three New York Yankees cap styles after activists and public officials argued that bandanna-like patterns and a gold crown resembled symbols associated with the Crips, Bloods, and Latin Kings. The company said it did not market products to gangs and took action after the concerns were brought to its attention.
Recent events
New Era launches Takashi Murakami collaboration collection in Japan[3]
Reported:
New Era launched a collection featuring Takashi Murakami artwork on headwear, apparel, and accessories in Japan on January 1. The release was planned for the U.S. and other markets on February 11.
Sources3 sources
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