The Unimog holds its ground in the face of assignments under the most arduous conditions, changing economic settings and changing groups of buyers. It copes with extremely difficult ground, pulls complete goods trains, can be used as a road/railer and features attachment points for a large number of implements. Even its start into automotive life was quite unusual.
The legendary Unimog got off to a start that was as adventurous as the time during which this extraordinary vehicle was designed. Its inventor was Albert Friedrich, previously head of Aeroengine Design at Daimler-Benz AG. Friedrich began as early as during World War II to occupy himself with the design of a compact tractor – and started developing the Unimog in 1945, immediately after the war. It was conceived as an agricultural vehicle but was to differ substantially from conventional tractors. Among the partners Friedrich was able to win over for his project was his former colleague, Heinrich Rößler, who had also worked in Daimler-Benz engine development before the war. Rößler had been making ends meet as an agricultural worker after the war and so was able to contribute a lot of valuable experience. |
