Crane & Breed (United States) - AllCarIndex

Crane & Breed Manufacturing Company was established in 1850 in Cincinnati, Ohio, initially as a carriage maker. The company ventured into the automotive industry by producing an experimental electric runabout in 1902. By 1909, Crane & Breed began series production of ambulances and hearses, marking its transition from traditional carriage manufacturing to motor vehicle production.

In 1912, the company introduced a line of passenger cars, offering eight different body styles. These vehicles ranged in price from $3,000 for a tourer to $4,500 for a landaulette-limousine. They were equipped with a 48-horsepower six-cylinder engine, which was also used in their professional vehicles, and featured a long wheelbase of 152 inches (3,860 mm). However, this foray into passenger car production was short-lived, as the models were not continued beyond 1912, likely due to unprofitability.

Crane & Breed continued to manufacture professional vehicles until 1924, utilizing their own bodies on six-cylinder Winton chassis. The company's legacy primarily remained in the production of specialized vehicles rather than passenger cars.