Sisu Auto
Encyclopedia
Sisu Auto is a Finnish truck company. Its name comes from the Finnish word sisu
meaning guts, grit and determination.
Sisu Auto subsidiary company SISU Defence produces high mobility tactical vehicles for military use.
Sisu
Sisu is a Finnish term loosely translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. However, the word is widely considered to lack a proper translation into any language. Sisu has been described as being integral to understanding...
meaning guts, grit and determination.
Sisu Auto subsidiary company SISU Defence produces high mobility tactical vehicles for military use.
History
- Sisu established in 1931. The first nine Sisu vehicles, a prototype series consisting of a bus and eight trucks, rolled off the production line in 1932.
- In order to secure truck manufacturing during the Continuation War, in 1943 a new truck factory was built near Hämeenlinna, some 100 kilometres north of the capital. Sisu trucks were manufactured there from 1945 to 1948. The factory was taken over by the stateowned Vanajan Autotehdas Oy, which manufactured trucks and buses under the brand name Vanaja until 1968, when Sisu took over activities at Hämeenlinna again.
- In the late 1950s Sisu's engine choice was Leyland`s diesel. Its range increased to 20 tonnes, with electro-hydraulic lifting devices on the trailing axle to transfer weight on to the drive axle. This system also became a universal feature of NordicNordic countriesThe Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
six-wheelersSix-wheel driveSix-wheel drive, 6WD or 6x6 is a drivetrain configuration of six wheels, all of which are driven simultaneously by the vehicle's engine. Unlike four-wheel drive drivetrains, the configuration is largely confined to off-road and military vehicles, particularly heavy-duty ones...
and was widely adopted in many other countries. - In the mid 1960s, tilt-cab forward-control trucks appeared and in 1966 normal-control models were restyled using fibreglass hoods. The K normal-control models covered 16-tonne 4x2 and 4x4 up to 24-tonne 6x2 and 6x4, while there were two KB cabover models - a 4x2 tractor and a 6x2, both for gcws of 38- to 45-tonnes. A lighter-bonneted range, the U models, covered the 15- to 22-tonnes gross bracket.
- By the early 1970s a complete range of 14 heavy trucks, in normal and forward control, was available, plus "half-cab" terminal tractors for yard shunting.
- The largest truck built by Sisu was a 180-tonne hooded 6x6.
- During the 1970s Leyland and Rolls RoyceRolls-Royce MotorsRolls-Royce Motors was created from the de-merger of the Rolls-Royce car business from Rolls-Royce Limited in 1973. The original Rolls-Royce Limited had been nationalised in 1971 due to the financial collapse of the company, caused in part by the development of the RB211 jet engine...
were main engine choices. - The M-series appeared in 1971 with a new design of forward-control tilt cab.
- The new M-series design was later used on Dennison trucks in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. - In 1974 ownership of Sisu had returned to Finnish state ownership and Leyland and Rolls Royce engines were phased out in favour of CumminsCumminsCummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
engines. - In 1976 Leyland Motors and Saab-ScaniaSaab-ScaniaSaab-Scania AB was the name chosen when truck and bus manufacturer Scania-Vabis of Södertälje merged with car and aeroplane manufacturer Saab AB of Trollhättan in 1968, under the Wallenberg family group of companies. The merger meant that Saab no longer had to import the British Triumph Slant-4...
both had a 10 percent stake in Sisu with tri-partite agreement. - In the mid 1980s New SR series and forward-control SM series appeared.
- During 1990s Sisu offered a wide range of multi-axle trucks, including 8x2, 8x4 and 10x4 with gtws up to 60 tonnes and Cummins became the main choice of engine for new Mil and the E14.
- In 1997 Sisu signed a partnership agreement with the French company Renault V.I. The agreement included the purchase of components, including cabs, engines and axles, as well as the import and sale of Renault commercial vehicles in Finland.
- 1998 SISU Defence presented SISU 6x6 high mobility tactical vehicle (HMTV).
- In December 2005 Sisu Defence signed a contract to supply mineLand mineA land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
-protected SISU 8x8 trucks to the Lithuanian Defence Forces until 2009. The deal is worth over 20 million euros with an option for additional deliveries over 10 million euros and it's the largest single export delivery in Sisu Auto history. - In 2006 a 10x10 high mobility tactical vehicle was presented and is now the top of the range model.
- Sisu Auto specializes in factory-ready trucks. In 2006 Sisu introduced the new model family specializing in the Crane, Rock, Roll, Timber and Works applications. In 2008 the new machine-transport truck Sisu Carrier was presented.
- 2007 Sisu re-launches Russian operations delivering 95 factory ready SISU Timber combinations.
- In 2008 Sisu Auto won an international tender for Timber Trucks to Ust Ilimsk, Russia. The biggest international forestry organization in Russia OJSC Ilim Group and Sisu signed a contract for delivering 91 Sisu E13 6x4 timber trucks and trailers to the Ust Ilimsk factory, located in Irkutsk region. The trucks will be operating in wood supply operation for the Pulp mill of Ilim Group. This will be the biggest individual contract for delivering western timber trucks to Russia. More information: http://www.sisu-trucks.com/portal/en/news/
- In 2010, Sisu launched the Sisu Polar range, based on the Mercedes-Benz ActrosMercedes-Benz ActrosThe Mercedes-Benz Actros is a heavy duty truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1995. It is normally used for long-distance haulage, heavy duty distribution haulage and construction haulage. It is available in weights starting at 18 tonnes and is powered by a V6 or V8 cylinder diesel engine with...
.
Civil trucks
All trucks can be produced with various engines and drive axle configurations.- SISU Crane - crane trucks
- SISU Rock - dump truckDump truckA dump truck is a truck used for transporting loose material for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of...
s - SISU Roll - hook loaderHydraulic hooklift hoistHydraulic hooklift hoists are mounted on heavy duty trucks to enable hauliers to change out flatbeds, dumpster bodies, and similar containers. Primarily used in conjunction with tilt frame bodies and specialised containers, generally designed for the transportation of materials in the waste,...
- SISU Timber - timberTimberTimber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
trucks - SISU Works - road maintenance trucks
- SISU Carrier
Factory racing
Sisu Racing operated from 1989 to 1995. Factory team winning three European championships in 1991 - 1993. The team manager was Timo KorhonenSee also
- Sisu XA series Military Vehicles
- PatriaPatria (company)Patria is a Finnish company which produces a wide range of defence, aviation and aerospace technology. It carries on the firearms tradition of Valtion Kivääritehdas and the aerospace tradition of Valtion lentokonetehdas.-Patria Aviation:* NH90* Mini-UAVs...
- Advanced XA-series successor