1900: Scania acquires bicycle maker
In 1896 the English bicycle makers Humber & Co had established a subsidiary in Malmö, Sweden. Four years later the operation is acquired by the newly-formed Swedish company Maskinfabriksaktiebolaget Scania (Latin for Skåne, Sweden’s southernmost province). The new company expands its range of products to include rubbermaking machines, vacuum cleaners, precision gears and, before long, cars. Three prototype cars are built in 1901–1902, followed by an initial production series of five cars the following year. Soon the factory starts production of trucks, ranging in capacity from 1.5 to 3 tonnes.
