Bremach facts for kids
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| Società a responsabilità limitata | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1956 in Varese as a Fratelli Brenna |
| Defunct | 2018 (Insolvency) (U.S. operations are suspended as of March 2022) |
| Headquarters | Castenedolo, Brescia, Italy |
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Area served
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Europe, Russia, Middle East, United States |
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Key people
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Gianfranco Mandano |
| Products | Heavy commercial vehicles, medium commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, special vehicles, firefighting vehicles, defence vehicles |
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Number of employees
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30 (2015) |
Bremach was a company from Italy and the United States. They made tough trucks that were often used by the military or as 4WD fire engines.
Contents
History
Bremach started in 1956 in Varese, a city in northern Italy. It was founded by the Brenna brothers, who owned a repair shop. They bought the right to make a three-wheeled motorcycle called the Macchi MB1 from Aermacchi. The name Bremach comes from combining BREnna and MAcCHi.
In 1983, the company began making its most famous vehicles, the Bremach GR (4x4) series. These were strong, all-wheel-drive trucks. They included models like the GR35 and GR45. These trucks weighed between 3.5 and 4.5 tons. They used a 2.5-liter diesel engine from Iveco. Some even had a turbocharger, giving them 103 horsepower.
By 1993, Bremach introduced a new vehicle called the BRIO (Brio). This was a 4x2 chassis designed for city services. It was only 1820 mm tall, which meant it could fit into low or tight spaces.
Around 2000, Bremach Industry faced some money problems. So, they decided to join with two other companies, Pro. DE and Valsella Meccanotecnica.
From 2001 to 2002, Bremach offered new all-wheel-drive trucks called the Bremach Family Extreme (Extreme). These new machines, like the Bremach Brick and Extreme (4x4), were similar to the older GR series. They still used a 2.8-liter diesel engine from Iveco. This engine had direct fuel injection and a turbocharger, making 105 horsepower. These vehicles also met the Euro-3 emission standards.
After 2006, Bremach updated its vehicle lineup. They introduced the Brick, Extreme, and Job models. These new trucks had redesigned cabs and a more modern look. They featured a smooth front with a round plastic hood and unique teardrop-shaped headlights. The Bremach Brick and Extreme (4x4) were still very similar to the older GR series in how they worked. A big change for the "hard worker" highway models was the option for full air suspension. They also had a 146-horsepower turbo-diesel engine. This allowed a fully loaded truck to reach speeds up to 125 km/h.
In 2008, Bremach launched a completely new truck called the Bremach T-REX. This vehicle was designed to replace the older models. It had a strong transmission with a six-speed ZF gearbox. It also had a special two-stage transfer case. This gave it many gear options for different terrains. The T-REX used a sturdy beam axle suspension with springs. Its new cab was designed for better visibility. It also featured a super strong "space frame," a type of construction usually found in aircraft and Formula 1 race cars.
In 2009, Bremach Industry worked with the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) to create a new special truck. This truck was based on the Bremach-UAZ T-REX chassis. The idea was to make a tough truck for road construction, government use, and emergency services in faraway places. However, this project did not continue.
By 2011, Bremach showed off an electric version of their T-REX, called the Demokar Electric Bremach T-REX EV. It had a very strong frame and cabin. This "adaptive spatial framework" was made with super-strong steel. It could handle very heavy loads without breaking. The T-REX's main safety feature was its roll bar. This prevented cracks or damage even under extreme pressure. These electric trucks were tested by the military in Germany. They received special certifications for their strength and safety. The small size and high load capacity of the electric Bremach T-REX were very new for special transport vehicles around the world. Bremach even made special parts for this project that are now used in aerospace and aviation.
In 2015, Bremach s.r.l. faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy. The rights to produce the T-Rex were sold to another company called Tekne. Bremach s.r.l. kept the naming rights. In March 2018, the bankruptcy process was finished.
Bremach USA
The American part of the company, Bremach Inc., continued even after the Italian company's bankruptcy. It started working with UAZ to create new 4x4 SUVs for sale in the United States. In December 2020, they announced that the UAZ Patriot 4×4 SUV and pickup would be brought to the U.S. They were planned to be sold as the Bremach 4x4 Taos SUV and Bremach 4x4 Brio pickup starting in 2021. Bremach showed off special edition 2022 4x4 SUVs at the 2021 LA Auto Show. However, the company stopped its operations in the U.S. due to world events in March 2022.
Production models
- 1956: Started making products from Aeronautica Macchi
- 1960: Bremach GR
- 1970: Bremach NGR
- 1980: Bremach Brio
- 1990: Bremach Job X4
- 2000: Bremach Job X2
- 2005: Bremach Job
Bremach T-Rex
The Bremach T-Rex came with different cab options:
- Open (Spider): For 2 seats, like a convertible.
- Single (Singola): A single cab for 2-3 people.
- Double (Doppia): A double cab for 5-6 people.
It had different engine choices:
- Iveco F1A 2.3 liter engine with 116 horsepower.
- Iveco F1C 3.0 liter engine with 170 horsepower.
The distance between its front and rear wheels (wheelbase) varied. It could be 2600, 3100, 3450, or 3700 mm, depending on the version.
For its transmission, it offered:
- Manual: A ZF S4000 gearbox with 6 forward gears and 1 reverse.
- Automatic: An Allison 1000Sp gearbox with 5 forward gears and 1 reverse.
- It also had a special transfer case made by Bremach.
Other features:
- It had permanent four-wheel drive, meaning all four wheels were always powered.
- Its total weight when fully loaded could range from 3500 to 6500 kg.
