The Curved Dash became the most popular car in the United States soon after its introduction. Early ads boasted that the $650 Curved Dash "ran 40 miles on one gallon gasoline," "started at will from seat," and compared its vehicles not to other cars, but to horses. R.E. Olds sought to convince people still wary of automobiles that the Curved Dash was thriftier, safer, faster, more controllable and more modern than a horse.

Despite its frail appearance, the Curved Dash's versatility, availability and reliability allowed it to pull ahead of the horse as America's favorite mode of transportation. The U.S. Post Office threw its support behind the Curved Dash by purchasing the Oldsmobiles for use as its first mail "trucks." With its lightweight, large wheels and ample ground clearance, the Curved Dash could slog through terrain that would challenge today's 4x4s.

Though the term "Oldsmobile" was not officially granted a trademark until 1902, earlier ads touted the name. With most people still wary of automobiles, Oldsmobile's ads in the early 1900s compared its vehicles not to other cars, but rather to horses. source: 1