[3] Impressed with what he saw, he went on to visit the factories of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz, then the leading automobile manufacturers in the world (albeit with less than 200 each).

He returned to Detroit convinced of the automobile's future, and immediately sold his share in Huber & Metzger.

[2] Metzger built the first U. S. automobile retail showroom, which opened 7 June, 1897,[3] selling Waverley electric cars.

It was an all-day affair, with over 8,000 spectators, and many races for different classes of cars, starting with a parade from downtown to the track.

A year later, in October 1902, he promoted a five-mile race, known as the Manufacturers' Challenge Cup, which was a planned Ford-Winton rematch.

Despite a strong challenge from Winton, Barney Oldfield easily won with Ford’s 999, taking the $200 prize.

It set a speed record at the Detroit Driving Club track, in Grosse Pointe Township, and went on to tour America, and score many other victories.

Metzger again used his sales skills, and the first year's production of 2500 Everitts were pre-sold before the first one rolled off the assembly line.

Despite strong sales, infighting was rampant, and in 1912 Walter Flanders left, joining Metzger and Everitt.

He also became affiliated with numerous other automotive companies including Wills Sainte Claire and Federal Motor Truck Co.

He also was appointed to the executive committee of the American Automobile Association and was elected president of the Detroit Board of Fire Commissioners.

Profits were low or nonexistent, and the company was dealt a blow by the death of Walter Flanders in an automobile accident in 1923.