Pinzgauer comes to UK
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• Pinzgauer, Austria's creme de la creme of off-roaders, is now being built exclusively in the UK by Automotive Technik.
Steyr Daimler-Puch Fahrzeugtechnik (SFT) has produced the go-anywhere 4x4s and 6x6s for the past 30 years in Graz, turning out just over 24,000 vehicles.
Automotive Technik Ltd (ATL), sole UK agent for SFT for the last 12 years, will now build all Pinzgauers under licence at works in Fareham and Aldershot, with a production line in Guildford, Surrey.
SFT chairman Dr Alfred Koch, speaking at the opening of the Guildford line last week, paid tribute to AR's experience and know-how, saying the decision to have the company manufacture the Pinzgauer was a testament to its professionalism.
The first vehicle off the line at Guildford will be a fire engine for the Isle of Man, taking the Manx tally of Pinzgauers to seven. Koch believes the UK has much potential for growth in Pinzgauer sales; this was another reason for transferring production from the Graz line, which shut down in June.
The 10-year production deal secured by All was described by director David Findlay as important for the long-term future of the marque. He says ATL will help SFT with a major research and development programme for the next generation of Pinzgauers as well as updating and improving the range.
Pinzgauers feature a tubular chassis with half axles and hub reduction gearing in the wheels for the ultimate in off-reading. In use all over the world, the vehicle satisfies a real niche; Commercial Motor plans to get to grips with one in the near future.