Ogren (automobile company)

In the fall of 1914, Hugo W. Ogren founded the company in Chicago to build one-off race cars, but in 1915, he started to produce a six-cylinder touring car. In 1915 prototypes were made, but in 1916 capital stock increased to $1,000,000,^[2] and Ogren moved his company to a larger factory at Waukegan, Illinois.^[3] From 1916 he produced a line of six-cylinder cars but in 1917 the company ran out of operating cash. The factory was sold at auction on Nov. 22, 1917.^[1]

In 1919, the company was re-established and the Elite ice skating rink in Milwaukee, Wisconsin was remodeled into a factory.^[1] The first Ogren Six did not appear until July 1920. The new automobiles were more expensive and more powerful with a Beaver engine (65 hp vs. 34 hp).^[1] In 1922, the Beaver engine was replaced with a more powerful Continental engine.^[1] Price for the luxury car ranged from $4,250 to $5,500 (equivalent to $103,319 in 2024).^[1]

Late in 1922, Hugo Ogren left the company to join another automobile venture. Fred G. Smith took over and attempted to re-organize with only limited success. In January 1924 the tools and property of Ogren Motor Car Company were sold to Huffman Bros. Motor Co of Elkhart, Indiana.^[1]

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