In concept, although not in actual design, it was, in principle, a development of the Fend Flitzer invalid carriage.

[4] Messerschmitt, temporarily not allowed to manufacture aircraft, had turned its resources to producing other products.

[7] While the Messerschmitt name and insignia were used on the car, a separate company, incorporated as Regensburger Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH (RSM), was created to manufacture and market the vehicle.

[3] There were several problems with the first KR175s to be built, resulting in 70 design modifications between the beginning of production in February and June 1953.

[6] The KR175 ran on a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke engine centrally positioned in front of the rear wheel,[2] just behind the passenger's seat.

[3] Italian motorcycle manufacturer Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia s.p.a., makers of the brand MI-VAL [it], assembled KR175s in Brescia, Italy, using components imported from Messerschmitt but with their own 172 cc (10.5 cu in) two-stroke engine installed.