The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was founded in 1902 in Pontiac, Michigan, by brothers Max (1874-1946) and Morris Grabowsky, whose earlier venture, Grabowsky Motor Company, had been founded in Detroit in 1900.

[3] In 1905 Rapid built a new assembly plant at 25 Rapid Street abutting the Grand Trunk Western Railroad tracks on the south side of Pontiac, Michigan.

[4] The Rapid Street Plant 1 was the nucleus of what would become the Pontiac West Assembly complex.

Rapid was the "first truck to conquer Pikes Peak" in a 1909 road race.

Durant began acquiring the stock of Rapid Motor Vehicle Company in 1908 and in 1909 had a controlling interest.