Following his election to the Presidency in November 1908, President Elect Taft began preparing to take office. At the time, the Office of President did not have a motor pool, or own automobiles for Presidential use.
In his book "William Howard Taft and the First Motoring Presidency, 1909-1913"pg. 50, author Michael L. Bromley details many aspects of the Taft administration, including the selection of the first White House automobiles (below):
According to author Bromley, by December 1908, Congress appropriated $12,000 for the purchase of automobiles for the president's use. Toward the bottom of the page aide Major Archibald (Archie) Butts suggests that Mrs. Taft consider purchasing two Fords for her and the president's use. "Mrs. Taft didn't take kindly to Butt's suggestion that she'd have to settle on a pair of $2,800 Ford sixes 8." The nation's leader should be driven in nothing less than a Peerless, Locomobile..........." Mrs. Taft ultimately settled on a White seven passenger steamer and two Pierce Arrows (dealers "assisted" with the purchase to stay within budget, according to the author).
The accompanying footnote indicates the suggestion by Major Butt was a consideration, at least by Archie Butt. The footnote states in part: "The story among First Lady historians, which the author was unable to verify, although it makes sense, is that when Archie told Mrs. Taft she'd have to take the Fords she replied, "absolutely not."