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The development of the Kleintraktor - small tracktor - was started by Krupp in 1930. The first testing chassis was tested at Kummersdorf beginning in September 1932. Five further chassis of the improved 0-Serie - pilot series - were delivered in 1933. A first larger batch of 150 vehicles were made in 1934. The vehicle was now designated Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper - agricultural tracktor - (La.S.). These vehicles had no armoured superstructure. Later, they were converted to driving school tanks. From late 1934 to mid 1936, altogether 1,190 (15 to China) vehicles of the 2. to 4. Serie La.S. were delivered with armoured superstructure. These vehicles were officially introduced as Panzerkampfwagen I (M.G.) (Sd. Kfz. 101) Ausf. A - battle tank I (machine gun) (Sd. Kfz. 101) version A.
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In the daily service, the engine quickly proved to be too weak. For this reason, a lengthened chassis with a stronger Maybach engine was developed. From 1936 to 1937, altogether 399 vehicles of the 5a. and 6a. Serie La.S. were made on this chassis. These vehicles were officially introduced as Panzerkampfwagen I (M.G.) (Sd. Kfz. 101) Ausf. B. Based on the 7c. and 8c. Serie La.S., 147 Umsetzfahrzeuge - conversion chassis - were made. These were made as driving school vehicles. Later, they received the armoured superstructures and turrets of Panzerkampfwagen I (M.G.) (Sd. Kfz. 101) Ausf. A, which were left over after these vehicles were converted to driving school tanks. These vehicles were also designated as Panzerkampfwagen I (M.G.) (Sd. Kfz. 101) Ausf. B.
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