K-R-I-T Motor Car Logo PNG
K-R-I-T Motor Car: Brand overview
In 1909, a new automobile company, the K-R-I-T Motor Car Company, was born in Detroit, Michigan. Founded by a group of investors, including Kenneth Crittenden, who is considered to be the inspiration for the company’s name, K-R-I-T aimed to offer affordable cars to the American middle class. Within a year, the first model, a five-seat tourer with a price tag of only $500, was launched.
Interestingly, the company originally incorporated the swastika, which at the time was a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, into its brand emblem long before the symbol became infamously associated with Nazism. During its existence, the company expanded its range to include compact two-seaters and larger four-cylinder touring cars. Despite these changes, K-R-I-T struggled to meet production targets, producing only a few hundred cars per year against a planned capacity of 1,000-2,000 cars.
By 1915, the company could no longer compete with more established automakers, and sales began to decline. A year later, in 1916, the company declared bankruptcy, ending its seven-year run. During this time, K-R-I-T managed to produce about 3,000 cars. Although the company gained attention for its original name and original symbol, the story of K-R-I-T is an instructive example of the challenges faced by small independent automakers.
Meaning and History
1909 – 1913
1913 – 1916
Although the K-R-I-T Motor Car logo features a swastika, the company has no connection to Germany. The automaker used the provocative symbol in the mid-1910s when it was not yet associated with the Nazi regime; a cross with arms bent at right angles was previously considered a representation of the sun. The swastika is placed inside a blue circle and is accompanied by the letters “K,” “R,” “I,” and “T.” The full name of the brand and its hometown, Detroit, Michigan, are written on the outer gray ring.
The use of the swastika in the 1910s indicates a different cultural and historical context, as it was a widespread symbol in many ancient civilizations before it became associated with negative events. The choice of the blue circle signifies trust and reliability – important qualities for an automaker. The outer gray ring carries important information, substantiating the brand’s origin and reinforcing its identity.
