Tatra

Year of foundation 1850

The history of Tatra, one of the world's oldest continuously operating vehicle manufacturers, is a fascinating journey through the Austro-Hungarian Empire, two world wars, the communist regime, and its post-1989 revival.

The Origins (1850-1918)
The story begins in 1850 in Kopřivnice, in what is now the Czech Republic (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), when Ignatz Schustala founded "Ignatz Schustala & Cie." A company specializing in the production of horse-drawn carriages and wagons, the business grew rapidly and the company expanded, starting to produce railway carriages in the 1880s.

In 1897, the company, which by then had become a joint-stock company under the name "Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriksgesellschaft," produced the Präsident, the first mass-produced gasoline-powered automobile in Central and Eastern Europe. This vehicle marked Tatra's entry into the automotive world.

The Hans Ledwinka Era and Success (1919–1945)
After World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Kopřivnice became part of the newly formed Czechoslovakia. In 1919, the company adopted the name Tatra, in honor of the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range in the country.

This period was dominated by the figure of Austrian engineer Hans Ledwinka, who revolutionized the concept of the automobile. In 1923, Tatra introduced an innovative "Tatra concept": a central beam frame with a support tube enclosing the drive shaft, and swing axles with independent suspension. This design, which made the vehicles extremely robust and suited to difficult terrain, would become a Tatra trademark.

But the real turning point came in the 1930s, when Tatra became a pioneer in aerodynamics. Under the leadership of Ledwinka and other engineers, the company developed a series of cars with streamlined bodies and rear-mounted air-cooled engines, starting with the revolutionary Tatra 77 of 1934. These models, like the later Tatra 87, were cutting-edge for their time and would significantly influence automotive design, so much so that they sparked a controversy with Ferdinand Porsche over their similarities to the design of the Volkswagen Beetle.

Postwar and the Communist Regime (1945-1989)
After World War II, the company was nationalized and its operations reorganized. Production of luxury cars was limited and gradually discontinued, with the exception of a few prestige models intended for high-ranking Communist Party officials, such as the Tatra 603.

During the communist era, Tatra focused primarily on the production of heavy vehicles, particularly trucks and military vehicles, taking full advantage of its central beam chassis concept, which proved ideal for off-road use and in extreme conditions. Tatra trucks earned a reputation as nearly indestructible vehicles, capable of tackling the roughest terrain.

At the same time, the company also became the world's largest tram manufacturer, with the famous Tatra T3 model, produced in tens of thousands and popular throughout Eastern Europe.

Rebirth and the Modern Era
After the fall of communism in 1989, Tatra faced a difficult transition to a market economy. Automobile production ceased permanently, and the company focused exclusively on trucks. Despite financial difficulties and various corporate restructurings, the Tatra brand survived.

In 2013, the company was acquired by Czech investors, who saved it from bankruptcy and gave it new impetus. Today, Tatra Trucks a.s. specializes in the production of heavy trucks and specialty vehicles for civilian and military use, exporting worldwide. Its distinctive central beam chassis concept continues to be the cornerstone of its production, confirming its reputation as a manufacturer of reliable and robust vehicles, capable of operating where others cannot.