Industrias Kaiser Argentina
Fate	Bought out by Renault
Founded	1956
Defunct	1970
Headquarters	Córdoba Province, Argentina
Parent	Kaiser Motors

Industrias Kaiser Argentina S.A. or IKA was an Argentine motor car company established in 1956 in Córdoba Province as a joint venture with Kaiser Motors of the United States.

The automaker produced a variety of Kaiser Jeep vehicles and American Motors (AMC) models, including Argentina's most iconic car, the Torino, before partnering with France's Renault, which bought it out in 1970.

History

1950s

KA Estanciera (Willys Jeep wagon)

The government of Argentina sent a delegation to the United States in 1951 to meet with auto manufacturers interested in building cars in Argentina. Unfortunately the market was seen as too small to justify the investment, and no one but Kaiser was interested. On 19 January 1955, the government signed an agreement to permit Kaiser to manufacture automobiles and trucks in Argentina. The U.S. automaker was facing problems in its domestic market. It took theWillys Aero out of production in 1955 leaving two redundant sets of vehicle production lines. The Kaiser auto manufacturing equipment was shipped to Argentina while the Willys equipment formed the automaker's capital contribution to establish a new company in Brazil.

Kaiser created Kaiser Automotores, a wholly owned subsidiary as holding company that owned part of the newly created Industrias Kaiser Argentina, the manufacturing and marketing arm. Other partners in IKA included Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado (IAME), the government-owned airplane and vehicle manufacturer, as well as private investors. The public offering of shares of stock was oversubscribed.

The first imports from the U.S. consisted of 1,021 complete cars, manufacturing equipment, and spare parts. Groundbreaking for the new factory in the city of Santa Isabel in Córdoba Province was held in March 1955 with the first Jeep vehicle driven out on 27 April 1956.

IKA Carabela (Kaiser Manhattan)

The initial production was of various Jeeps. Models included the CJ versions, as well as the Willys Jeep Truck or IKA Baqueano Pick-up, and the Willys Jeep Wagon or IKA Estanciera as well as a panel delivery version known as the IKA Utilitario. These utility vehicles were shortly followed by a local version of the Kaiser Manhattan 4-door sedan, called the Carabela, using the U.S. production equipment which had been transferred to IKA. The combined Carabela-Jeep production of 22,612 units was 81% of all vehicles manufactured in Argentina in 1958 with the only competition being a state-run utility vehicle manufacturer.

To expand the marketing of its vehicles in 1958, IKA sponsored a musical variety show El Show de IKA that highlighted an American vocalist, Andy Russell. It was the most expensive TV program produced in Argentina, a Jeep was driven on the stage during every show, and the first to use cameras mounted high above the stage.

In 1959, the American-Argentine company become IKA Renault as a result of an agreement to produce the French firm's Renault cars. The small Renault Dauphine was produced and badged IKA Dauphine.

1960s

The Carabela model was discontinued in 1962, and by that time IKA also assembled other automobiles. Alfa Romeo sold IKA the body molds for its discontinued Alfa Romeo 1900 sedan to become the IKA Bergantin.

1961 IKA Classic de Luxe (Rambler Classic)

Production started on 10 March 1960. The Bergantin was described as the first locally conceived, designed, and engineered car. Local content made in Córdoba included a Willys 2480 cc four-cylinder engine and the Jeep rear suspension and drum brakes that were also used in the Estanciera. The car rode on a 103.3 in (2,624 mm) wheelbase with an overall length of 173 in (4,394 mm). Starting on 31 May 1961, the IKA Bergantin received the 115 hp (86 kW) Continental six-cylinder that was already used for the Estanciera and Carabela models, but only 353 units were made with this engine. Production of the IKA Bergantin ended on 21 February 1962, with nearly 5,000 units sold in three versions: Standard, Deluxe, and Taxi cab. At the time, IKA's Cordoba plant produced about 40,000 vehicles annually, including Renaults and Jeeps as well as Kaisers and Ramblers.

IKA Torino (Rambler American)

In 1962, another joint model venture agreement took place between IKA and American Motors Corporation (AMC). Various Rambler models licensed from American Motors Corporation (AMC) replaced all of the old Kaiser and Alfa Romeo based cars. In order to meet local content regulations, however, the Ramblers were adapted to use an Argentine-built Kaiser engine - which luckily was an easy fit, perhaps since the same engineer (Ralph H. Isebrandt) had designed both drivetrains. The final form of the AMC variants was the potent Rambler American/Classic-based Torino that saw a success on international racing circuits. Production peaked in 1965, with a total of 55,269 vehicles were assembled by IKA of which about one-third were Kaiser-Frazer based cars and Jeeps, while other two-thirds were Nash Ramblers and (from 1960) Renaults produced under license. Representing about 28% of Argentina's total production, IKA was the nation's largest independent automobile manufacturer with 8,500 employees.

By 1966 the Santa Isabel plant was producing a broad line of models that included the following:

• Four Renaults: Dauphine, Gordini, R4L, and R4F
• Six utility models: Jeep, Pick-up, Jeep Estanciera (also taxi version), Jeep truck, Jeep Gladiator (500, 1000 kilos) - in two and four wheel drive - and Charge
• Four AMC Rambler models: Classic Custom, Classic de Luxe, Classic Cross-Country (station wagon), and Ambassador 990
• The IKA Torino model (coupe and sedan)

In 1967, Régie Nationale des Usines Renault of France assumed control of the company by purchasing a large percentage of the shares of stock and changed its name to IKA Renault S.A.

1970s

In 1970 Kaiser Industries decided to exit the auto business and it sold the rest of its IKA holdings to its partner, Renault of France, thus ending the history of Argentina's indigenous automaker. The new enterprise focused on mass consumption models such as the Renault 12.

In 1975, the original factory in Santa Isabel changed from IKA to Renault Argentina S.A.

Cars built in the Santa Isabel factory

Cipolla IKA la aventura

Cipolla La Epopeya

• IKA Jeep (1956 - 1978)
• IKA Estanciera (1957 - 1970)
• IKA Baqueano (195? - 19??)
• Kaiser Carabela / IKA Carabela (1958 - 1961)
• IKA Bergantin (1960 - 1962)
• Renault Dauphine & Ondine (1960 - 1970)
• Renault Frégate (1960)
• IKA Rambler (1962 - 1967)
• IKA Jeep Gladiator (1963 - 1967)
• IKA Ambassador (1965 - 1972)
• Renault 4 (1963 - 1987)
• IKA Torino (1966 - 1982)
• Renault 6 (1969 - 1984)
• Renault 12 (1970 - 1994)
• Renault 18 (1981 - 1998)
• Renault Fuego (1982 - 1995)
• Renault 11 (1984 - 1996)
• Renault Trafic (1986 - 1999)
• Renault 9 (1987 -1996)
• Renault 21 (1989 - 1996)
• Renault 19 (1992 - 2000)
• Renault Clio (1996–present)
• Renault Mégane (1997 - 2008)
• Renault Kangoo (1999–present)
• Renault Symbol (2008–present)
• Renault Fluence (2010–present)

Last updated on 13 April 2014 at 22:20.

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Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado
Founded	1951
Headquarters	Argentina

Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado (Spanish for State Aeronautical and Mechanical Industries, abbreviated IAME) was a state entity and autarchic conglomerate of factories of Argentina created in 1951 to promote the manufacture of aircraft and automobiles. In 1956 it was renamed Dirección Nacional de Fabricación e Investigación Aeronáutica (Spanish for National Directorate of Aeronautical Manufacturing and Research, abbreviated DINFIA).

History

After completion of the First Five Year Plan the administration of President Juan Perón had failed to establish a solid foundation for the growth of heavy industry. The trade balance in the automotive heading was unfavorable in 1951, imported around 20,000 units. Therefore Perón met with representatives of major foreign automakers to boost car production in the country. His proposal was rejected by the foreign manufacturers, arguing that Argentina they lacked the necessary expertise for the task and admitting only have a few autoparts Argentina invoice or final assembly in the country of foreign auto parts.

In this situation, the Minister of Aviation, Brigadier Juan Ignacio San Martín, also attending the meeting, proposed to the President producing cars in the country using high industrial knowledge achieved by the Institute Aerotécnica. On the basis of all property until then affected the Institute of Cordoba Aerotécnica ten factories were established:

• Fábrica Militar de Aviones (Military Aircraft Factory)
• Fábrica de Motores de Aviación (Aviation Engines Factory)
• Fábrica de Motores de Reacción (Jet Engines Factory)
• Fábrica de Instrumentos y Equipos (Equipment & Instrument Factory)
• Fábrica de Paracaídas (Parachute Factory)
• Fábrica de Hélices y Accesorios (Propellers & Accessories Factory)
• Fábrica de Máquinas y Herramientas (Machines and Tools Factory)
• Fábrica de Automóviles (Car Factory)
• Fábrica de Tractores (Tractor Factory)
• Fábrica de Motocicletas (Motorcycle Factory)

IAME conglomerate took the legal form of company self-sufficient, with a directory, general administration and administrations of factories. The first directory was chaired by Juan Ignacio San Martin. Financing funds came from a loan from the Industrial Bank of Argentina of $ 53,000,000, guaranteed by the State under the doctrine of Peronism.

The IAME had 12,000 workers and managers at the time. There were many projects, following a low-cost policy that allowed mass production to achieve low manufacturing costs. It also acquired licenses to produce locally European automotive models of low cost and easy maintenance-mainly Germans-to ensure expertise in the production and adaptation of use. When licenses were not acquired, projects initiated were highly influenced by the original models in question.

The list of vehicles manufactured in the Car Factory was:

• Justicialista
• Sedan Institec
• Rural Institec
• School Bus Institec
• Rural Gauchita
• Grand Sport without hood
• Furgoncito Institec
• Rastrojero
• Sedan Graciela
• Motor Sport 1954 with detachable hood
• Sport V8
• Auto Sedan GW
• 1955 Sport Fixed hood
• Sport 1955
• Gran Sport V8
• Cupe Gran Sport
• Rural R63
• Rastrojero Conosur
• Taxi T63
• Chata trailer
• Omnibus Savier

The products launched by the Tractor Factory and Motorcycles were:

• Tractor Pampa
• Tractor Fiat
• Puma (motorcycle)

Production also included boating with tourism boats, fishing boats, a portable boat, the sailing school Tero (sailboat), a Canadian canoe and an outboard motor Surubí.

Last updated on 28 May 2014 at 10:32.

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Hispano-Argentina
Founded	1925-1953
Headquarters	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Key people	Carlos Ballester, Eugenio Molina

Hispano-Argentina was an Argentinian company that manufactured aircraft, vehicles, machinery, weaponry and public works.

Organisations:

• Hispano-Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. (HAFDASA)
• Hispano-Argentina de Obras Públicas y Finanzas (CHADOPYF)

History

The Hispano–Argentina "Criollo" motor

In 1925, Carlos Ballester obtained a license to represent the Hispano-Suiza brand in Argentina. At first, vehicles were to be imported and later built domestically. A few years earlier, Ballester and his associate Eugenio Molina built a plant for the production of automatic weaponry. To unify production, a 5,000 m2 plant was built with the highest technology available at the time. It was built at 250 Campichuelo in the Caballito barrio (Buenos Aires). Thus Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles S.A. (HAFDASA) was devoted to the production of Hispano-Suiza vehicles and motors, and also parts and replacements for this and other automotive, truck, and bus marques.

1938 Hispano-Argentina prototype vehicle

At the beginning, they dedicated themselves to manufacturing trucks and tractors for civilian and military use. They also produced diesel and gasoline motors for vehicles and fixed installations, of different power, produced completely in Argentina. In their final years, they created various automobile prototypes, however, the firm passed into history known for its firearms.

In addition to the .45 ACP caliber pistol that made it famous, Ballester Molina also produced .22 caliber pistols and rifles in various calibers. Exact figures do not exist, but it is estimated that Hafdasa produced more than 100,000 arms, and between 80,000 and 90,000 .45 caliber pistols.

For economic reasons, the firm declared bankruptcy in the early 1950s and closed definitively in 1953.

Hispano-Argentina "Criollo" 6x6 truck

Products

Vehicles and Motors

• D1, four cylinder (75 Hp)
• D2, V-6 (95 Hp)
• D3, V-6 (150 Hp)
• Criollo Chico 4 x 4 (Truck with the D2 motor)
• Criollo Grande 6 x 6 (Truck with the D3 motor)
• P.B.T.
• "El Redondo”

Weapons

• Hafdasa Criolla
• Hafdasa .45
• Ballester-Molina
• Hafdasa C-4
• Modelo C.4

Last updated on 4 May 2013 at 01:06.

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Automobile Anasagasti, 1914, preserved at Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina

The Anasagasti was the first automobile to be built in Argentina; it was manufactured by Horacio Anasagasti of Buenos Aires from 1912 to 1914. Rumors are saying that Ander Anasagasti, the cardesigner of Audi is building the next Anasagasti car, that will probably come out late 2020. Anasagasti's first vehicle was a 15 horsepower (11 kW) Ballot-engined car. In 1912-13 he entered cars built to his design in Europe; a team of the cars competed in the 1912 Tour de France, while a lone Picker-engined racer was entered in the 1913 Coupe de l'Auto. Anasagasti then returned home to Argentina, where he is believed to have built about 50 touring models.

Survivors

An example of a 1914 Anasagasti car, previously used by the Argentine Air Force, is preserved at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina, located at Morón, Buenos Aires.



Last updated on 8 April 2014 at 12:13.

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