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Just a few years after the first automobiles appeared one quickly realised the potential of this technology to carry loads. So the first commercial vehicles with combustion engines were developed. Straight away, experiments were started to utilize this technology for military use. The first years were characterised by problems which were caused by unsatisfactory technology. But up to the end of World War I, a whole series of motor vehicles – including passenger cars and lorries – were used by the involved armies. The development of the first commercial vehicles was the base for the development of the first buses. But only a few were used by the armies until the end of World War I.
The 1920s were a difficult time especially for the automobile manufacturers in Europe. For one thing many armies sold their excess stocks of motor vehicles, for another thing larger numbers of American motor vehicles urged to the European markets. The great depression in 1929 was the end for many manufacturers.
In the 1930s, the situation improved considerably especially in Germany. This was partially caused by the rearmament of Germany after 1933 but was mainly caused by the improved business situation. For these reasons, the demand for passenger cars, lorries and buses for civilian and military use arose quickly…
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