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MASA (Part 1)

Introduction The origins of

Mexicana de Autobuses, SA dating from the early 1940's, specifically 1944. The company starts with the name of Sheppard Brothers. In the late 1950's was acquired by the Mexican by Government and administered by the for nearly 30 years. In the late 1980's was sold to the private sector. In October 1998 the Swedish-born automaker Volvo , producer of luxury cars, buses and heavy trucks, acquired 100 percent of the shares of MASA. Currently the company is named Volvo Mexico. Bus Division.

The unofficial history of this company have divided into following parts. The first in the time it was administered by the Federal Government. The second when it was administered by private Mexican and third in the period that is managed by the transnational Volvo.

Mexican

Coach, Inc. Period and parastatal companies

Mexicana de Autobuses, SA de CV (MASA) was established on September 10, 1959, with the acquisition of Sheppard company Hnos. Society for Industrial Credit Mexicana ( SOMEX ), a company run by the Federal Government.

By then ground installations were in the Colonia Industrial Vallejo Mexico City, DF

The first model to leave the production lines nationalized company was the 37-S100 popularly called Roadrunner . In fact this model was Roadrruner replica produced by U.S. company Fitzjohn, whose production ended in May 1958. Both had 37 seats. Although the U.S. version had another model with a capacity of 33 seats. The 37-S100 engine was equipped with GM 6173 T, in line turbocharged , transmission Spicer 5-speed.

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

MASA also makes another model similar to Roadrunner but slightly longer with a capacity of 41 passengers, named as 41-M500. This model was specifically manufactured for the U.S. market. The model was made especially for The Federal Motor Coach , a subsidiary of NAPCO . The model was presented at the Annual Convention held in NAMB Chicago in 1961. The treatment NAPCO sell this model for several years in the United States, but without much success. Two versions were built, equipped with motor DD 6V-71 and other engine DD 8V-71. The transmission could be 4 or 5 speeds. The length of this model was 11, 060mm (435.5 ").

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

37-S100 model was replaced in 1963 by LH model. LH model had capacity for 41 seats and was equipped with motor Detroit Diesel 8V-71 or Cummins 8-265 with transmission Spicer 4 or 5-speed, depending on the chosen engine.

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

During the six years of President Lic. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz (1964-1970), President of SOMEX was Sr. Quirino Rocha Ordaz and the Director General of the Mr MASS. Nicholas Iryris Roviroza .

After LH buses came third generation bus SOMEX , these were the 2000 models. The Somex -2000 had capacity for 41 seats, and could be equipped with motor Detroit Diesel 8V N of 350 HP and transmission Spicer 4 speeds.

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

Then came the models Somex -1500 and -3000 Somex . The Somex 1500 had capacity of 37 seats were equipped with motor DD 6V-71 and transmission Fuller 5-speed without air conditioning. This model was manufactured version S-1510 the air conditioning.

For his part Somex -3000 had capacity for 41 passengers equipped with motor DD 8V-71 and Spicer transmission velocidades.Contaba of 4 air-conditioned.

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

The following listing shows a four-bus Somex -3000 that were acquired in 1968 by Transport Tamaulipas .

Published by the newspaper El Porvenir de Monterrey, NL August 4, 1968

In 1972 facilities were built in MASS Tultitlan, State Mexico, a town located north of Mexico City.

The Somex -3000 was replaced by the S-2030 with mechanical properties similar to those of his predecessor: motor DD 8V-71, transmission Spicer 4 speed and 41 seats. This type of buses are also manufactured versions of S-2130 and S-2230. The latter with air suspension and air conditioning.

With a silhouette similar to S-2030, MASS produced the S-2031. This guy had capacity of 45 seats and was equipped with Cummins engine line 6-cylinder, 335 HP ., No air conditioning. This model is manufactured the S-2131 with the same characteristics but equipped with air conditioning.

Both S-1500, S-2030 and S-2031 and its derivatives had no bathroom, finishes and management were standard mechanical age.

Prospectus provided by Robert L. Smith

The most luxurious model MASS produced during the period was under the administration of the Federal Government was the S-5000. This model had a capacity of 41 seats, was equipped with motor DD 8V71, 318 HP , 4 speed transmission, luxury finishes, air conditioning, power steering. The S-5000 was not equipped with bathroom. S-5100 version was.

Photo provided by Robert L. Smith

The following table shows the characteristics and differences between different versions of the S-1500, S-2030 and S-5000.

Brochure provided by Robert L. Smith

In 1979, during the administration of President Lic. José López Portillo (1976-1982), was structured SOMEX Industrial Development ( FISOMEX ). FISOMEX was made up of several divisions: Chemical, Petrochemical , Automotive, Transport & Auto Parts , Capital Goods, Household Products, Housing, Industries and Capital Goods. When starting the 1980's had FISOMEX participation in more than 75 companies, which employed approximately 36 000 people.

Transport and division was by MASA Autoparts maker and outsiders buses and trolleybuses ; Tracksomex tractor manufacturer in partnership with Mack Trucks and Atsugi Mexicana manufacturer water pumps in partnership cn Atsugi Motor Parts Japan.

DG MASS was in charge of CP Manuel Ordorica Tuñon . Jorge Mota Mazzuti was Director of Manufacturing.

During the six years of President Lic. Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado (1982-1988), MASA became part of Grupo DINA . The Director General of MASA was CP Sergio Schaar Chabat .

Some sources state that there was no bus MASS outsiders in the last five years of management parastatal. However, in the Annual Report of Work 1986-1987, Dina Group shows that 69 shows that mass produced foreign buses in 1983, 51 in 1984, 75 in 1985, 31 in 1986 and is predicted 100 for 1987.

In 1986 the total number of units produced between foreign and urban buses and trolleybuses of was 789. This number might not be so bad for a medium or small, if not for dough then had a capacity of 3 thousand 100 units per year, which represented 25% of installed capacity.

The October 20, 1988 Banca Serfin reported with pride that had parastatal company sold Mexicana de Autobuses, which belonged Dina Group. This acquired great relevance under which was the first company in the group to be sold to the private sector. MASA was sold even group of shareholders led by Mr . Samuel Wigisser Karpyl , known businessman in the automotive sector in Mexico . Not long before the Group Wigisser encbezado resold by the company.

So far this first part of this story unofficial Mexicana de Autobuses, SA and buses Somex . sincerely thank Mr to . Robert L. Smith , Viceprecidente the Museum of Bus Transportation by the large number of pamphlets and information valuable part of your records. Thanks to this information was possible realization of this work .

Other sources are:

Mexico Magazine boom, edition 1983.
National Diesel. Work Annual Report 1986-1987.
Periodico El Porvenir (Monterrey, NL), Various issues. Newspaper
The Informant ( Guadalajara, Jal .) Various issues.

As always any questions or clarification 'm to serve.
José Ramírez Lozano
Monterrey, Mexico