THE EVOLUTION OFÂ MAN.
MAN is one of the leading industrial enterprises in the German engineering industry. It is also one of the oldest running for over 250 years.
The following timeline shows the evolution of MAN from its very beginning in 1758 to its current global status.
1758
"St. Antonyâ ironworks commenced operation in Oberhausen as the first heavy industry enterprise in the Ruhr region.
1782
The "Gute Hoffnung" (Good Hope) iron works commenced operation in Oberhausen.
1787
Rails supplied for the Rauendahl coal track, Germany´s first horse-powered railway
1805
Establishment of "Sulzer-Escher Wyss" works in Zurich
1808
The three ironworks St. Antony, Gute Hoffnung and Neue Essen merged to form Hüttengewerkschaft and Handlung Jacobi (Iron Mining and Trading Company), Oberhausen.
1825-1849
Companies were established in both Augsburg and Nuremberg.
1893- 1897
The principles of the compression ignition combustion engine were developed by Rudolph Diesel and both construction and testing were carried out at the MAN works in Augsburg, Germany.
1898
Two of four engines that were built for exhibition and demonstration purposes were made in MAN plants in Augsburg and Nuremberg.
The majority of all heavy good vehicles across the world are still powered using diesel engines based on the original design.
1903
Truck-building activities first commenced at Büssing.
1908
Vereinigte Maschinenfabrik Augsburg und Maschinenbaugesellschaft Nürnberg A.-G., Augsburg were renamed to Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, Augsburg (M.A.N.)
1914-1918
The First World War led to a loss of key foreign branches and patent rights as well as production facilities.
1924
The first diesel engine truck with direct fuel injection plus the first low-frame omnibus were produced.
1934
Development work began on exhaust-gas turbochargers for diesel engines.
1937
Development of the all-wheel drive for utility vehicles began.
1939-1945
During the Second World War, there was a large loss of all foreign operations and heavy war damage. The Allied Forces took control of all GHH companies.
1951
The first German diesel truck with exhaust gas turbocharger was produced.
1955
MAN truck plant opened in Munich.
1971
MAN acquired the old and respected name of Bussing whose trademark lion still forms a part of the MAN truck and bus division logo today.
1982
The first heavy, two-stroke diesel engine with an efficiency ratio of over 50% was produced.
1984-1986
MAN's remaining divisions became independent and were formed into separate companies.
1990
The first low-floor articulated bus with continuous low-level platform was produced.
2000
The one millionth MAN commercial vehicle rolled off the line.
2000
The one millionth MAN commercial vehicle rolled off the line.
MAN Automotive Imports was created after Western Star Trucks Australia acquired distribution exclusivity for all MAN products within Australia and New Zealand.
Soon after this acquisition, Western Star Trucks merged with MAN Automotive Imports.
2004
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge launched its new engine generation, the D20 Common Rail.
2008
MAN celebrated its 250th anniversary, making it one of the world's oldest industrial companies.
2011
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge changed its name to MAN Truck & Bus AG;
Volkswagen AG became MAN's majority shareholder.
2012
MAN Truck & Bus Euro VI, exhaust-gas technology for trucks and coaches, was presented in Germany.
2014
MAN Diesel & Turbo presented the first cylinder version of the new high-speed engine family at the maritime trade fair SMM in Hamburg, Germany.
2014
MAN Diesel & Turbo presented the first cylinder version of the new high-speed engine family at the maritime trade fair SMM in Hamburg, Germany.
MAN Truck & Bus presented the new top truck model TGX D38 with an innovative D38 six-cylinder inline engine.
TODAY
The headquarters of MAN Truck & Bus AG in Munich, Germany is the largest company of the MAN group and is a leading international supplier of commercial vehicles and transport solutions.
Here in Australia sales and after sales support services for both MAN and Western Star are conducted out of the WSTA/MAI-Asia Pacific headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland as well as via 65 separate dealer outlets throughout Australia each of which is dedicated to MANs longevity in the Australian marketplace. MAN also has strong dealer representation in New Zealand.