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1993: Scania Retarder made history

In 1993, the unique Scania Retarder was launched. Controlled by a dash-mounted lever or via the brake pedal, the automatic downhill speed control was an innovation much appreciated by drivers. Use of the wheel brakes could be reduced by up to 75 percent.

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.

1993: Scania Retarder made history

Corporate milestones

1891: Vabis is established

1897: First completely Swedish-built car

1900: Scania acquires bicycle maker

1902: First truck

1905: First industrial engine

1909: Adventurous 520 kilometre trip

1911: First Swedish-built bus

1911: Scania-Vabis is created

1912: First fire truck

1921: Financial difficulties