Central Automobile Company was established in 1903 in Cleveland, Ohio. The company made its debut at the 1903 Chicago Auto Show, where it showcased a unique automobile featuring a horizontally-opposed twin engine, an epicyclic gearbox, and a single-chain drive system.

Despite this innovative presentation, Central Automobile Co. did not continue to produce vehicles after its initial exhibition. One notable design aspect of their car was a tilting steering wheel, which was intended to provide comfort for larger drivers, a feature that was shared with several other vehicles of the time. The company remains a brief footnote in the early history of American automotive manufacturing.