The gasoline-powered Oldsmobile Model R, also known as the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, is credited as being the first mass-produced automobile, meaning that it was built on an assembly line using interchangeable parts. It was introduced by the Oldsmobile company in 1901 and produced through 1903; 425 were produced the first year, 2,500 in 1902, and over 19,000 were built in all. When General Motors assumed operations from Ransom E. Olds on November 12, 1908, GM introduced the Oldsmobile Model 20, which was the 1908 Buick Model 10 with a stretched wheelbase and minor exterior changes.
Oldsmobile Model 6C Curved Dash Runabout 1904
"In My Merry Oldsmobile" sheet music featuring an Oldsmobile Curved Dash automobile
Olds in the Pirate Racer at Ormond Beach, Florida.
1903 Model R Runabout
An assembly line is a manufacturing process in which parts are added as the semi-finished assembly moves from workstation to workstation where the parts are added in sequence until the final assembly is produced. By mechanically moving the parts to the assembly work and moving the semi-finished assembly from work station to work station, a finished product can be assembled faster and with less labor than by having workers carry parts to a stationary piece for assembly.
An Airbus A321 on final assembly line 3 in the Airbus Hamburg-Finkenwerder plant
Hyundai's car assembly line
Lotus Cars assembly line as of 2008
Motor assembly line at Willys-Overland Company, Toledo, Ohio, 1920