in their first year of business, the dodge brothers' company began making parts for the automobile industry. in 1902 the dodge brothers won a contract to build transmissions for the olds motor vehicle company upon which they built a solid reputation for quality and service. however, the following year they turned down a second contract from olds to retool their detroit plant at hastings street and monroe avenue to build engines for henry ford in a deal that included a share position in the new ford motor company. by 1910, john dodge and his brother were so successful they built a new plant in hamtramck, michigan.