"Before there was Chevrolet, Ford or Dodge, there was Oldsmobile." In 1897, at the Olds Gasoline Engine Works, the board of directors commissioned Ransom E. Olds "To build one carriage in as nearly a perfect manner as possible." With that direction, R.E. Olds started America's first and oldest name in mass produced automobiles.

Originally the company was to be called "R. E. Olds Motor Car Company," but the owner of Olds' previous company, then called Olds Motor Works, objected and threatened legal action on the grounds of likely confusion of names by consumers. Olds then changed the name to his initials. Olds Motor Works soon adopted the popular name of its vehicles, Oldsmobile. Then instead of two "Olds" companies there were none.