"manufacturer of automobiles," 1925, from auto "automobile" + maker.
Entries linking to automaker
auto n.
1899 as shortened form of automobile (q.v.). Similar evolution yielded French, German auto.
maker n.
c. 1300, "one who creates, shapes, forms, or molds," also "God as creator," agent noun from make (v.). Specifically, "manufacturer" by late 14c. To meet (one's) maker "die" is attested by 1814.