switzerland
1905 Tribelhorn Electric Brougham
An electric car built in Switzerland
Despite having played home to such outstanding manufacturers as Monteverdi and Hispano-Suiza, as well as to coach-builders Graber and Worblaufen, Switzerland has never achieved a place of great prominence in the automobile industry. As the 20th century turned, however, A. Tribelhorn & Company AG, of Feldbach, made an effort, launching an electric passenger car as companion to their commercial electric vehicles in 1902.
Tribelhorn's production soon expanded beyond the original open front-wheel drive, two-seat "light doctor's car" to heavier double-phaetons, landaulets, and limousines bodied by Geissberger of Zurich. The cars were quite expensive, but they managed a small and loyal following, similar to the electric cars that were finding favor in the United States at about the same time. Also similarly to the American electrics, the Tribelhorn's popularity soon faded, and the company was sold in 1918. |