Editing Scania AB (section)

==History==
[[File:AB Scania-Vabis 1916.jpg|thumb|Scania-Vabis share, issued 1916]]
[[File: Scania-Vabis Fire truck (1924).jpg |thumb| Scania-Vabis Fire truck (1924)]]
[[File:Scania-Vabis 2122 1929.jpg|thumb|Scania-Vabis 2122 1929]]
[[File:Scania Vabis L71.jpg|thumb|Scania-Vabis L71 1957]]
[[File:1967 Scania LS5646-166 %281967%29, Dutch license registration BE-51-62 pic1.JPG|thumb|Scania-Vabis LS5646 1967]]
[[File:Scania 80 truck - 220505.jpg|thumb|A vintage Scania truck (L80 successor to the Scania-Vabis L56)]]

===Vabis and Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania===
{{main|Vabis|Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania}}
AB Scania-Vabis was established in 1911 as the result of a merger between [[Södertälje]]-based [[Vabis]] and [[Malmö]]-based [[Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania]]. Vagnfabriks Aktiebolaget i Södertelge (Vabis) was established as a [[railway car]] manufacturer in 1891, while Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania was established as a bicycle manufacturer in 1900. Both companies had tried their luck at building [[automobile]]s, trucks and engines, but with varied success. In 1910, Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania had succeeded in constructing reliable vehicles, while Vabis was at the brink of closing down. An offer from Per Alfred Nordeman, managing director of Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania, to steel manufacturer [[Surahammars Bruk]], owner of Vabis, led to an agreement in November 1910, and in 1911 the merger was a reality.

[[File:New_generation_Scania_R_&_S.jpg|thumb|right|The new generation Scania S series (right) R series (left)]]
Development and production of engines and light vehicles were set to Södertälje, while trucks were manufactured in Malmö. The company's logo was redesigned from Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania's original logo with the head of a [[griffin]], the [[coat of arms]] of the Swedish region [[Scania]] (Skåne), centered on a three-spoke bicycle [[chainset]]. Initially the headquarters were located in Malmö, but in 1912 they were moved to Södertälje.<ref name="autoevo">{{cite web |url=http://www.autoevolution.com/trucks/scania/history/ |title=Scania |publisher=SoftNews NET |website=Autoevolution |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215095531/http://www.autoevolution.com/trucks/scania/history/ |archive-date=15 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="scania1910">{{cite web |url=http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1910/ |title=The history of Scania: 1910 − A new company is born |publisher=Scania AB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925222952/http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1910/ |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref>

===First World War and 1920s===
Because there were many inexpensive, imported cars in Sweden at the time, Scania-Vabis decided to build high-class, luxury cars, for instance the type III limousine from 1920 that had a [[top hat]] holder in the roof. [[Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland|Prince Carl of Sweden]] owned a 1913 Scania-Vabis 3S, a type which was fitted with in-car buttons so the passenger could communicate with the driver. Scania-Vabis also built two-seat sports cars (or "sportautomobil").<ref>{{cite book |first=Gert |last=Ekström |year=1984 |title=Svenska bilbyggare |publisher=Allt om hobby |isbn=91-85496-22-7}}</ref>

For the next few years the company's profits stagnated, with around a third of their orders coming from abroad.<ref name="autoevo"/> The outbreak of the First World War, however, changed the company, with almost all output being diverted to the [[Swedish Army]]. By 1916, Scania-Vabis was making enough profit to invest in redeveloping both of their production facilities.<ref name="autoevo"/>

Following the war, in 1919, Scania decided to focus completely on building trucks, abandoning other outputs including cars and buses.<ref name="autoevo"/> However, they were hurt by the swamping of the market with decommissioned military vehicles from the war, and by 1921 the company was bankrupt.<ref name="truckerlinks"/>

After some economic difficulties in 1921, new capital came from [[Stockholms Enskilda Bank]] owned by the [[Wallenberg family]], and Scania-Vabis became a solid and technically, high standing, company.

;Denmark
Towards the end of 1913, the company established a subsidiary in Denmark. The following year the first Danish-built car, a four-[[car seat|seater]] [[phaeton body|Phaeton]], was built at the company's Frederiksberg factory in [[Copenhagen]]. In 1914, the factory produced Denmark's first Scania-Vabis truck, and following this developed a [[V8 engine]], one of the first in the world. In 1921, having sold around 175 trucks, and 75 cars, the Danish operation was closed down.<ref name="truckerlinks"/>

;Norway
In 1917 an agreement was established with the newly formed Norwegian company Norsk Automobilfabrik A/S about production under license of Scania-Vabis cars and lorries. Production began in 1919, but was ended in 1921 after production of only 77 lorries, mostly built from Swedish produced parts.

===1930s and 1940s===
During the Second World War, Scania produced a variety of military vehicles for the Swedish Army, including [[Stridsvagn m/41]] light tanks produced under licence.<ref name="truckerlinks"/>

===1950s and 1960s===
During the 1950s, the company expanded its operations into new customer segments, becoming agents for the [[Willys MB|Willys Jeep]] and the [[Volkswagen Beetle]], the latter being very profitable for Scania-Vabis. It also started to become a genuine competitor to [[Volvo]] with their new [[Scania-Vabis L20|L71 Regent]] truck which was introduced in 1954.<ref name=Scania1950>{{cite web |title=1950 – Growth and new frontiers |url=http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1950/ |publisher=Scania |access-date=7 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029185700/http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1950/ |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}</ref>

During this period, Scania-Vabis expanded its dealer network and country-wide specialist workshop facilities. By the end of the 1950s, their market-share in Sweden was between 40 and 50%, and was achieving 70% in the heaviest truck sector – helped by the entrepreneurial efforts of their dealers into the haulier market.<ref name=Scania1950 />

Probably their largest impact was in export markets. Before 1950, exports accounted for only 10 percent of production output, but a decade later, exports were at 50% of output. [[Beers (company)|Beers]] in the Netherlands became a very important partner. Beers became official importers for Scania-Vabis in the Netherlands, and established a dealer network, along with training programmes for both mechanics and drivers. Beers also offered free twice-yearly overhauls of their customers vehicles, and offered a mobile service throughout the Netherlands with their custom-equipped service trucks. Due to Beers concerted efforts, Scania-Vabis market share in the country remained at a consistent 20% throughout this period. Scania-Vabis were to adopt the business model of Beers in their own overseas sales operations.<ref name = Scania1950 />

The 1960s saw Scania-Vabis expanding its production operations into overseas locations. Until now, all Scania-Vabis production had been carried out solely at [[Södertälje]], but the 1960s saw the need to expand production overseas. Brazil was becoming a notable market for heavy trucks, and was also dependent on inter-urban buses, with particular requirement for Brazil's mountainous roads which became nigh-on impassable at times.<ref name=Scania1960>{{cite web |title=1960 – Expanding production |url=http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1960/ |publisher=Scania |access-date=7 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029185705/http://www.scania.com/scania-group/history-of-scania/1960/ |archive-date=29 October 2009 }}</ref> On 2 July 1957, Brazilian subsidiary ''Scania-Vabis do Brasil S.A.'' (today known as ''Scania Latin America Ltda.'') was established and started assembling some vehicles themselves in 1958. On 29 May 1959, a new engine plant was inaugurated in the [[Ipiranga (district of São Paulo)|Ipiranga]] district of [[São Paulo]], and from June 1960, Scania-Vabis do Brasil assembled all vehicles themselves.<ref name="brazil-history1957-66">{{cite web |url=http://www.scania.com.br/a-scania/historia/ |title=História 1957–1966 |publisher=Scania Latin America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917030531/http://www.scania.com.br/a-scania/historia/ |archive-date=17 September 2009 |language=pt}}</ref> Scania-Vabis vehicles had already been assembled in Brazil by a local company called [[Vemag]] (''Veículos e Máquinas Agrícolas S.A.'') for several years.<ref name = shapiro>{{cite journal |title=Determinants of Firm Entry into the Brazilian Automobile Manufacturing Industry, 1956–1968 |ref=HShap |first=Helen |last=Shapiro |volume=65 |journal=The Business History Review |number=4, The Automobile Industry |date=Winter 1991 |page=897 |doi=10.2307/3117267|jstor=3117267 |s2cid=153363903 }}</ref> Scania-Vabis established its first full manufacturing plant outside Södertälje, by building a new facility in [[São Bernardo do Campo]] near São Paulo, which was opened on 8 December 1962, and this was to set the standard for Scania-Vabis international operations.<ref name=Scania1960 /><ref name="brazil-history1957-66" />

Closer to home, the recently formed [[European Economic Community]] (EEC) offered further opportunities. Based on their now strong presence in the Dutch markets, Scania-Vabis constructed a new plant in [[Zwolle]], which was completed in 1964.<ref name = Scania1960 /> This new Dutch facility provided Scania-Vabis with a stepping stone into the other five EEC countries, particularly the German and French markets.<ref name=Scania1960 />

In 1966, Scania-Vabis acquired ownership of a then valuable supplier – [[Be-Ge Karosserifabrik]], who were based in [[Oskarshamn]]. Be-Ge had been making truck cabs since 1946, and had been supplying cabs not only to Scania-Vabis, but also to their Swedish competitors Volvo. It was normal practice for truck manufacturers to outsource production of cabs to independent bodybuilders, so their acquisition by Scania-Vabis seemed a good move.<ref name = Scania1960 /> Be-Ge owner [[Bror Göthe Persson]] had also established an additional cab factory at [[Meppel]].<ref name = Scania1960 />

Scania-Vabis continued their expansion of production facilities through acquisitions. In 1967, they acquired [[Katrineholm]] based coachwork company [[Svenska Karosseriverkstäderna]] (SKV), and created a new subsidiary, [[Scania-Bussar]]. A year later, all bus production, along with R&D was moved to Katrineholm.<ref name=Scania1960/> Further production locations were added at [[Sibbhult]] and [[Falun]], and Scania's employee numbers rose, particularly at Södertälje, which was to help double the town's population.<ref name=Scania1960 />

Scania-Vabis at some point in their history also manufactured trucks in Botswana, Brazil, South-Korea, Tanzania, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe and the United States.

For some time [[Daimler-Benz]] waged a 'logo war' with Scania-Vabis, claiming a possible confusion between the Scania-Vabis 'pedal crank' design featuring on Scania bicycles around 1900 and the Mercedes 'three-pointed star'.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} In 1968, Daimler-Benz won and the Scania-Vabis logo changed to a simple griffin's head on a white background.

In February 1968, a new range of trucks was launched, and at the same time the company was rebranded as just ''Scania''. In addition to ''Vabis'' disappearing from the name and a new logo, all current models received new model designations.<ref name="norsk-scania1995">{{cite book |last=Berg |first=Jørgen Seemann |year=1995 |title=King of the road i femti år: Norsk Scania AS 1945–1995 |isbn=82-993693-0-4 |location=Oslo, Norway |publisher=Norsk Scania AS |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2008021800056#85 |page=85 |language=no}}</ref><ref name="scaniabuses100">{{cite web |url=http://se.scania.com/Images/P11403EN%20Public%20service%20on%20road_tcm120-249192.pdf |title=Scania buses 100 years – public service on road |publisher=Scania |date=April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105145201/http://se.scania.com/Images/P11403EN%20Public%20service%20on%20road_tcm120-249192.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

===1970s and 1980s===

In 1976, the Argentine industrial complex was launched. A few months later, on 10 September, the first gearbox outside of Sweden was manufactured and finally in December an L111<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/scania-llt-111.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania L/LT 111 |first=Esteban |last=Dl |date=16 June 2012 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035452/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/scania-llt-111.html |archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> truck became the first Scania made in Argentina. Soon the plant specialised in the production of gearboxes, axles and differentials that equipped both the units produced in Tucumán and those built in Brazil.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/scania.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania |first=Esteban |last=Dl |date=16 February 2012 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020170009/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/scania.html |archive-date=20 October 2017}}</ref>

Also in Argentina, in 1982 the Series 2 was launched as part of the "Scania Program", consisting of the T-112<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/08/scania-t-112-h-4x2.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania T 112H 4x2 |first=El |last=Camionero |date=2 September 2012 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120011316/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/08/scania-t-112-h-4x2.html |archive-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> and R-112<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/scania-r-112h.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania R 112H 4x2 |first=Esteban |last=Dl |date=30 January 2013 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020170709/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/scania-r-112h.html |archive-date=20 October 2017}}</ref> trucks with two cab versions and different options in engine and load capacity. In 1983, was launched the K112<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/otro-chasis-scania.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania K 112 |first=El |last=Camionero |date=30 June 2012 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033341/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/02/otro-chasis-scania.html |archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> made in Tucuman (like the rest models) for replace the BR-116.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/scania-br-116.html |title=Camión Argentino: Scania BR 116 |first=Esteban |last=Dl |date=28 May 2012 |website=camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar |access-date=4 May 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035112/http://camionargentino.blogspot.com.ar/2012/05/scania-br-116.html |archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref>

In mid-1985 Scania entered the US market for the first time (aside from having sold 12,000 diesel engines installed in Mack trucks from 1962 until 1975), starting modestly with a goal of 200 trucks in all of 1987 (121 trucks were sold during calendar year 1986<ref name=Wards87>{{cite book | ref = WYB87 | title=Ward's Automotive Yearbook 1987 |publisher=Ward's Communications, Inc | location = Detroit, MI |editor-last = Stark | editor-first = Harry A. | volume = 49 | date = 1987 | page = 174 | isbn = ((0910589007)) }}</ref>). Scania limited their marketing to [[New England]], where conditions resemble those in Europe more closely.<ref name=86view>{{cite journal |journal=TRUCK |date=December 1986 |ref=truck1286 |pages=30, 34 |editor-last=Barden |editor-first=Paul |first=John |last=Kerr |title=View: USA |location=London, UK |publisher=FF Publishing Ltd}}</ref>

Many examples of Scania, Vabis and Scania-Vabis commercial and military vehicles can be seen at the [[Marcus Wallenberg-hallen]] (the Scania Museum) in Södertälje.