What foreign auto maker was the first to invest in a location in the USA?

Answer 1

Rolls Royce had a manufacturing facility in Springfield Mass in 1919. But even that wasn't the first.

William Steinway, famous for his pianos, was a personal friend of Gottlieb Daimler. Maybach's son actually worked in his piano factory in Queens, NY. As early as 1876, he was in negotiations to manufacture Daimler internal combustion engines in the US. By 1892, he was building Daimler cars alongside of Steinway pianos. The American Mercedes company continued to manufacture in Astoria, Queens until a fire ended production in 1907.