Crosley

Crosley was a small American manufacturer of subcompact cars that was active from 1939 to 1952. The company was based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and produced a range of cars including sedans, pickups, convertibles, and station wagons, as well as a tiny jeep-like vehicle. For export, the cars were badged Crosmobile. Crosley was known for introducing several "firsts" in American automotive history, including the first affordable mass-market car with an overhead camshaft engine in 1946, the first use of the term 'Sport(s-) Utility' in 1947, and the first American cars to be fitted with 4-wheel caliper type disc brakes. All of Crosley's models were lightweight, body-on-frame cars with engines with less than 1 litre displacement and rigid axles front and rear, with the majority built on an 80-inch wheelbase. Despite its short lifespan, Crosley is remembered as an innovative and influential manufacturer of microcars in American automotive history.

Powel Crosley Jr. was a successful businessman who made his fortune in the automotive parts and accessories business before diversifying into manufacturing other consumer products and Crosley automobiles in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1925, his company became the largest manufacturer of radios in the world. The financial success of his manufacturing and radio broadcasting businesses provided the funds for Crosley to pursue his lifelong interest in manufacturing automobiles, and he introduced the first Crosley compact car in 1939. During World War II, Crosley discontinued civilian automobile manufacturing and began producing war-time materials, including development of experimental vehicles. In 1946, Crosley resumed production of compact and subcompact vehicles at its facility in Marion, Indiana, while introducing new models and innovations to its offerings. However, after gas rationing was discontinued and the Big Three car makers began producing larger cars, consumer interest in Crosley's compact cars declined. The last Crosley car rolled off the assembly line on July 3, 1952, and the company focused on its other, more successful business ventures.