Unimog: An idea conquers the Swiss Army
Not a day like any other: On October 9, 1946, the first ready-to-run Unimog chassis stands before its inventors. They could not have known it at the time, but their idea would go around the world: The "universal motorized machine" (which is what the name Unimog stands for) is looking for challenges. Also in Switzerland. Its vehicle concept, which is still valid today, is characteristic: four equal [...]
Its vehicle concept, which is still valid today, is characteristic: four wheels of equal size, all-wheel drive, loading area, implement attachment options and high tractive power. With this design, the Unimog is intended as a mobile and stationary driving machine as well as a delivery vehicle for the agricultural industry. One of the first interested parties for the Unimog outside of agriculture is the Swiss Army, which gets to know its versatility, robustness, climbing ability in the most difficult terrain and maneuverability on the construction site of a dam project in the Valais Alps. It orders 250 vehicles.
Even in the early days of production at Gebr. Boehringer GmbH in Göppingen, 44 Unimog series 70200 vehicles were initially delivered to the Swiss army from 1950. After the project was taken over by Daimler-Benz, the remaining Unimogs were delivered to Switzerland from Gaggenau under the Mercedes-Benz designation Unimog series 2010.
www.mercedes-benz.ch
Photos: Archive, factory
