Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado

Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado (Spanish for ''State Aeronautical and Mechanical Industries'', abbreviated IAME) was a State-owned entity and autarchic conglomerate of factories of Argentina created in 1951 to promote the manufacture of aircraft and automobiles.

The company was established to manufacture automobiles in the country, taking advantage of the advances of Aerotechnical Institute of Córdoba Province.Historia de la fábrica IAME
on Club IAME website At its peak, IAME manufactured (apart from automobiles) airplanes, tractors, motorcycles, motorboats, and weapons. In 1956, it was renamed "Dirección Nacional de Fabricación e Investigación Aeronáutica" (Spanish for ''National Directorate of Aeronautical Manufacturing and Research'', abbreviated "DINFIA").

In 1967, it was established that DINFIA would focus on aeronautics and aerospace, while the automotive division would be taken over by another company created with that purpose, "Industrias Mecánicas del Estado" (IME).

History

Constitution

After completion of the Five-Year Plans ("Plan Quinquenal"), the administration of President Juan Perón had failed to establish a solid foundation for the growth of heavy industry. The trade balance in the automotive heading was unfavorable in 1951, imported around 20,000 units. Therefore, Perón met with representatives of major foreign automakers to boost car production in the country. His proposal was rejected by the foreign manufacturers, arguing that Argentina lacked the necessary expertise for the task and admitting only have a few autoparts Argentina invoice or final assembly in the country of foreign auto parts.

In this situation, the Minister of Aviation, Brigadier Juan Ignacio San Martín, also attending the meeting, proposed to the President producing cars in the country using high industrial knowledge achieved by the Institute Aerotécnica. On the basis of all property until then affected the Institute of Cordoba Aerotécnica ten factories were established, they were Airplanes, Airplane Engines, Automobiles, Equipment & Instrument, Jet Engines, Machines and Tools, Motorcycles, Parachutes, Propellers & Accessories, and Tractors.Historia del Tractor Pampa
by Esteban De León on Pesados Argentinos, 3 Mar 2014

IAME conglomerate took the legal form of company self-sufficient, with a directory, general administration and administrations of factories. The first directory was chaired by Juan Ignacio San Martin. Financing funds came from a loan from the Industrial Bank of Argentina of $53,000,000, guaranteed by the State under the doctrine of Peronism.

The IAME had 12,000 workers and managers at the time. There were many projects, following a low-cost policy that allowed mass production to achieve low manufacturing costs. It also acquired licenses to produce locally European automotive models of low cost and easy maintenance-mainly Germans-to ensure expertise in the production and adaptation of use. When licenses were not acquired, projects initiated were highly influenced by the original models in question.

Models produced

Justicialista

By the beginning of the 1950s, some of the most developed countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil and Mexico) were in process to substitute imports. Therefore, the local industry was revitalised in order to build automobiles. In 1949, President of Argentina Juan Perón signed a decree to refurbish part of the Aircraft Factory, adapting it to start manufacturing automobiles. José Higinio Monserrat was appointed as the first director of the Automobile Factory while engineer Raúl Gómez, who work at the Aerotechnical Institute of Córdoba ("Institec"), was another key figure of IAME.Así era el Institec
by Carlos Manzoni, ''La Nación'', 18 Aug 2018

The first car manufactured by IAME was the '' Justicialista'' model in 1952. This car had a body designed in Argentina but inspired on the Chevrolet models of those times. They were powered with Wartburg engines imported from Germany. The first prototype was developed and built in only 90 days, using national materials for manufacturing it. The ''Justicialista'' line included a sedan, the ''chatita'' (small pickup), van, and a sport coupe. They were sold at low prices, with a total of 3,730 units produced.

After General Perón was deposed by the '' Revolución Libertadora'' in 1955, the ''Justicialista'' was rebranded as ''Graciela'' by the Military Government.Historia de Graciela W
on Autos de Culto website The sport version was cancelled while the sedan and small pickup lasted until 1957.

Rastrojero

The most successful model by IAME was the Rastrojero, a small utility pickup truck with 60,000 units produced. The Rastrojero was originally thought as a tractor to replace some cheap units imported from the United States (a total of 2,500 that had been purchased at a low price but were dismissed after a brief period due to multiple failures). After the US tractors were retired, Brigadier San Martín (president of IAME) took those tractors to use some of their components to create a new and improved model. The results were two vehicles, the ''Gauchita'' –a prototype similar to the Station Wagon by American manufacturer Willys– and a pickup (then named "Rastrojero"). Developed in 1955, the Gauchita was powered with a D4M18 Borgward diesel engine.Cómo un tractor inservible se convirtió en leyenda
on El Litoral, 24 Oct 2009

The Rastrojero had a chassis similar to the 1937 Ford with a body similar to the Turismo Carretera cars of the time. The load was built in wood, to optimize costs and time. The prototypes were released in May 1952, with a huge success so the initial limited production of 2,500 "tractors" became production series. In 1955 the Rastrojero was powered with a diesel engine by Borgward. Apart of the classic pickup, the Rastrojero had other versions such as a light truck (named "Camión Frontal", produced 1969–79 with the same body than Borgward B611) an omnibus (mainly used as school bus), and a 4-door sedan, the Rastrojero Conosur, specifically designed for use in taxi fleet.

Pampa

The IAME Tractor Factory and Motorcycles had two significatie products, the ''Pampa'' tractor and the ''Puma'' motorcycle. The Pampa was developed to provide agricultural machinery to satisfy the needs of local farmers. The project to manufacture tractors in Argentina stated in June 1952, with the idea of a vehicle that could be operated easily.''Estudios sobre la Industria Argentina'', published by Lenguaje ClaroPampa, el tractor peronista
''La Nación''

The original idea for the development of an Argentine tractor was to use German Lanz Bulldog D 9506 tractor (produced by Heinrich Lanz AG) as inspiration. The D9506 was a simple vehicle that could be fueled with different combustibles such as gasoil, kerosene, raw oil, animal grease and even parafine. Two D9506 units were brought from Uruguay to analize their mechanism and components, nevertheless and due to the date stipulated by Perón to release a prototype (90 days) was about to be reached, the development of a fully-manufactured tractor was dismissed. Instead, IAME used the tractors built in Germany with slight modifications on their fronts, releasing them as "new" products. The first prototype was finished in October 1952, and two months later, 15 ''Pampa'' tractors were tested in agricultural works. The local subsidiary of Fiat gave assistance for the manufacture of the vehicle through some cooperation agreements.Tractor Pampa
on Pesados Argentinos, 3 Mar 2014

The Pampa tractor was produced in Estación Ferreyra, Córdoba Province, with the first models released to public (12 units) in 1954, offered at m$n85,000, lower than similar products by those times. A total of 3,760 were produced from 1953 to 1963, when the Government sold the factory to private company Perkins.

Puma

Manufactured in the plant of Córdoba, development of this motorcycle started in June 1952,Puma: La moto del pueblo
on Gente de Moto with the purpose of manufacturing a simple and effective vehicle. In May 1953 the factory is established near Villa Carlos Paz in Córdoba Province, with the first prototype being launched months later, inspired on a German Göricke model that had been given to Perón as a gift. The ''Puma'' was equipped with a Sachs engine and kick pedal. Due to its low price and good performance, the motorcycle was well received, encouraging IAME to produce more models.

The second series was launched in 1956, with 56,928 units sold. The fourth series (no "third" series were released) came in 1959, with changes in its design. That series (consisting of two different models) sold 36,755 units, while the fifth (and last) generation was launched in 1963, with 1,936 motorcycles sold. The Puma had a total of five series, with the last two being the most popular among users. In general, the ''Puma'' was mostly used by low and mid classes, being regarded as a reliable product at an affordable prize. In 1966 the factory was closed, so the production ceased. At the time of the closure, IAME had sold a total of 105,675 Puma motorcycles.Puma, la celebración de una moto icónica
by Javier Ferreyra on La Voz, 27 May 2019

Other

Production also included boating with tourism boats, fishing boats, a portable boat, the sailing school Tero (sailboat), a Canadian canoe and an outboard motor Surubí.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Industrias Aeronauticas Y Mecanicas Del Estado
Government-owned companies of Argentina
Motor vehicle manufacturers of Argentina
Argentine brands