1932: First forward-control “Bulldog” bus

Scania-Vabis delivers its first forward-control “bulldog” bus. The design is inspired by US bus maker Twin Coach in Ohio to which Scania-Vabis chief designer August Nilsson had travelled in 1929. Such buses are spacious, despite being short wheelbase and feature a usefully tight turning circle. During the 1930s, as truck sales falls, Scania-Vabis shifts from being a truck company into a busmaker with some production of trucks and separate engines.

Corporate milestones

1891: Vabis is established 02 Mar 1891

Vagnfabriks Aktiebolaget i Södertelge (Vabis) is established in December 1891.

1897: First completely Swedish-built car 02 Mar 1897

The first completely Swedish-built car is born. The maiden drive takes place in early 1898.

1900: Scania acquires bicycle maker 02 Mar 1900

In 1896 the English bicycle makers Humber & Co had established a subsidiary in Malmö, Sweden.

1902: First truck 05 Mar 1902

Vagnfabrikens’ first truck from 1902. According to a 1903 exhibition catalogue, the truck could carry 1.5 tonnes of cargo and had a top speed of 12 km/h.

1905: First industrial engine 03 Mar 1905

Scania’s very first industrial engine is delivered to the fire brigade in Stockholm, Sweden, to be installed in a water pump.

1909: Adventurous 520 kilometre trip 03 Mar 1909

A Scania truck type E with a 24 hp engine undertakes the adventurous 520 kilometre trip from Malmö in the south of Sweden to the capital Stockholm.

1911: First Swedish-built bus 03 Mar 1911

Local operator Nordmarkens Automobiltrafik in the westernmost part of Sweden takes delivery of the first bus built in the country.

1911: Scania-Vabis is created 03 Mar 1911

Scania-Vabis is created, merging Maskinfabriksaktiebolaget Scania in Malmö and Vagnfabriksaktiebolaget i Södertelge under the leadership of Per Alfred Nordeman.

1912: First fire truck 22 Oct 1912

In 1912, Scania-Vabis delivered this fire truck to Norrköping, Sweden. It was equipped with a 4-cylinder, 60 hp engine. Maximum speed was 40 km/h.

1921: Financial difficulties 03 Mar 1921

The depression following World War One has a severe impact on Scania-Vabis. In 1921 the company runs into financial difficulties.