Which car became the first mass-produced automobile when Oldsmobile began selling it in 1901?

The Oldsmobile Curved Dash became the first mass-produced automobile when Oldsmobile began selling it in 1901.

Ransom E. Olds developed the small, simple runabout for Olds Motor Vehicle Company. Its rounded front bodywork gave it the “Curved Dash” name, while its rear-mounted, single-cylinder engine powered the lightweight vehicle. Production used stationary assembly methods rather than Ford's later moving line.

Oldsmobile built more than 5,000 Curved Dash cars in 1904, making it an important early commercial success. It was often sold as a practical, relatively accessible alternative to more expensive automobiles. The car was also marketed through early automotive advertising and dealer networks.

The Ford Model T is often called the car that “put America on wheels,” but it was not the first mass-produced automobile. The Curved Dash preceded it by several years and established Oldsmobile as an early leader in volume automobile manufacturing.