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Checker Motors Corporation was a Kalamazoo, Michigan-based vehicle manufacturer and tier-one subcontractor that manufactured taxicabs used by Checker Taxi. Checker Motors Corporation was established by Morris Markin in 1922 through a merger of Commonwealth Motors and Markin Automobile Body. Checker made the iconic American taxi cab which was valued by taxicab companies for its durability in heavy use. Special features included large rear seats and trunks. The company had trouble competing with fleet discounts offered by the larger manufacturers, as well as economies of scale in procuring components. The final models were produced in 1982. On January 16, 2009, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. ==History== Morris Markin (a clothier from Chicago, Illinois) became the owner of Markin Automobile Body, an auto-body manufacturer based in Joliet, Illinois following a default by the owner on a $15,000 personal loan. The facility made bodies for Commonwealth Motors, which marketed the vehicles to cab companies under the trade name Mogul. Commonwealth Motors was on the verge of bankruptcy, but had an order from Checker Taxi (a privately owned cab company in Chicago that had no affiliation with Markin at the time). Markin merged Commonwealth Motors with Markin Automobile Body to honor the contractual commitment. In 1930, Checkers came in either black, maroon, yellow, or canary. Markin was later to buy the Checker Taxi Company. 1920's Models The company entered the consumer passenger car business in 1958 and consumer automobiles were phased in regionally across the US in 1959 starting in New York and New England. Nationally, introduction of the Checker Superba took place at the Chicago Auto Show on February 8, 1960. The dealer network continued to grow throughout the early 1960s, and throughout the decade, Checker usually managed its target volume of 6000-7000 cars a year. In 1962, production topped 8000, although most of those were taxis. Four-door sedans and station wagons (Superba and Marathon models) also were advertised to individual customers in upscale publications. The ads emphasized the durability of the Checker and the attention to quality improvements. In 1962, almost 3,000 cars were sold to individuals, 20% of production, but that percentage declined to 10% in the 1970s.〔Checker Motors. ''Comfort and elegance are added to the brawny, built-to-last Checker.'' Kalamazoo Michigan, 1962.〕〔(Checker Cab, Checker Motors, Morris Markin, Checker Taxi, Taxi Cab, Checker Cab Mfg. Co., Checker Motors Corp. - Coachbult.com ) July 19, 2011.〕 In addition to automobile production, Checker played a significant role as a third-party automotive supplier of OEM body stampings. In the late 1930s, Checker produced truck bodies for Hudson in addition to manufacturing complete Ford truck cabs. Checker also produced truck bodies for the REO Motor Car Company. During World War II, Checker was one of many producers of the G518 Ben Hur trailer for the U.S. Army.〔http://www.cckw.org/g518_production_data.htm〕 In 1964. the state of New York pursued Markin and Checker on antitrust charges, alleging that it controlled both the taxi service and manufacture of taxis, and thus favored itself in fulfilling orders. Rather than allow Checker drivers to begin buying different brands of cars, Markin began selling licenses in New York City. The next year, the company switched from the standard Continental engine, offering either Chevrolet overhead-valve I6s or small block V8s.〔Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1960-1972'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2004), p.341.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Checker Motors Corporation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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