Agrale, previously called AGRISA, is a Brazilian vehicle manufacturer. Established in 1962, it is based in Caxias do Sul in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Agrale manufactures tractors, commercial vehicles, military vehicles, bus, chassis and engines. Tractors include both self-developed models, and ones based on Zetor designs.[1] The company's current model line-up consists of pick-up trucks and the Marruá SUV. Agrale no longer produces motorcycles or scooters.[2]
Agrale subsidiary "Lintec" produces generators, diesel water pumps, engines, rotary cutters (weed wackers) and materials handling equipment.[3]
History
The company was originally called AGRISA (Indústria Gaúcha de Implementos Agrícolas SA), and built AGRISA-Bungartz tractors under license of the German-based Bungartz company. Later alliances included Deutz-Fahr, when they built some tractors and trucks under the Agrale-Deutz name, and later with Zetor. AGRALE is now a part of the Francisco Stedile Group, which includes the Lavrale, Fazenda Três Rios, Germani Foods and Yanmar-Agritech Tractors companies.
Since 2008, the brand FNM, Fábrica Nacional de Motores, was bought from a group in Rio de Janeiro, from INPI, and resurged as an Electric Delivery Truck called Fábrica Nacional de Modalidades with Joint-Venture Production at Agrale Caxias Do Sul Factory. The first Prototype was finished in December 2020.[5]
Products
The most traditional segment of activity Agrale is the manufacture of small tractors with power from 14.7 hp, intended mainly for use in the vineyards of the wine region of Rio Grande do Sul, near the company headquarters. Today the tractors are offered with power ratings up to 140 hp and offers up to 9.2 tonne trucks, diesel stationary and bus chassis, a segment in which it is acting with more emphasis.
Tractors
400 Series - The first tractors were produced by Agrale models 415, 416 and 420. The 420 model 4100 gave rise to the following series, being produced until the present day with several changes, mostly cosmetic.
4000 Series - The 4000 series was composed by the models 4100, 4200 and 4300. Currently, the 4100 remains in production with models 4118, 4230, 4240, featuring versions 4X2, 4X4 and industrial, the latter with an optional natural gas engine. Also part of the line, tractors load model derived from 4230.4 (4x4 version of the model 4230).
5000 Series
6000 Series - It consists of three models with 4x4 traction:
BX6110 - equipped with a turbocharged MWM TD229 EC4, 77 kW (105 hp) 4-cylinder engine
BX6180 - equipped with a turbocharged MWM TD229 EC6, 126 kW (168 hp) 6-cylinder engine.
Series BX - produced from the 1990s and led to the current 5000 and 6000.
Trucks
The first trucks were models TX-1100 TX-1200 and TX-1600, equipped with MWM 229.3 of three cylinders, or Agrale M-790 twin-cylinder. The trucks were also manufactured in alcohol and gasoline versions, using the four-cylinder engine GM Opal. Agrale currently produces trucks ranging from 6000 to its PBT 20000 kg, most recently with the CA13000 6x2. Agrale uses fiberglass cabs, ensuring strength, durability, thermal and acoustic insulation, many times that of steel cabs.
Agrale now offers a competent security and comfort, therefore, developed a wide range of chassis and Rear Engine Advanced, low-floor (low entry) or semi-low which ensures greater accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Chassis Micro Bus
Agrale 1800
MA 5.5 T
MA 7.5
MA 7.9
MA 8.5
MA 8.5 T
MA 8.5 super
MA 8.7 Euro V
MA 9.2
MA 9.2 Euro V
MA 9.2 Green E-tronic
MA 10.0
MA 10.0 Euro V
Chassis for buses and midi
MA 12.0
MA 12.0 Euro V
MA 15.0
MA 15.0 Euro V
MA 17.0 Euro V
MT LE 12.0
MT 12.0 Euro V LE
MT 12.0 SB
MT 15.0 Buggy
MT LE 15.0
MT 15.0 Euro V LE
MT 15.0 SB
Engines
Through its subsidiary Lintec, also in Caxias do Sul, Agrale manufactures engines and power equipment (water pumps, lawn mowers and generators), with wide range of power. Lintec also sells Ruggerini and Lombardini engines alongside its own Agrale brand (790 m, m795w, etc.), water or air cooled, and Lintec (LD 1500, LD 2500, etc.) water cooled.
Assembler
Agrale also assembled International trucks, a brand acquired by NC2 Group brand. Agrale currently assembles heavy and light Internationals, a partnership that began in 1998 trucks and ended in 2013 with 43,000 units produced, which was mounted the first truck International 4700 brand.[8][9]
Agrale manufactured over 400,000 motorcycles from 1984 and 1997.[18] The models were: Agrale SXT, SST, Elefant, Dakar, Explorer, and Elefantre. Agrale motorcycles were based on Cagiva models.[18]
In 2007 in Argentina, Argale was declared an automotive terminal by the Argentine government[clarification needed] and at the same time acquired a 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) manufacturing plant in Mercedes, Buenos Aires Province. The total investment in the Mercedes plant reached $11,500,000 (equivalent to $16,898,411 in 2023), allocated to equipment and conditioning of the plant.
Manufacturing in Argentina commenced in October 2008 with the production of a chassis for a rear-engined 12-ton bus. Production diversified throughout 2009 with the production of a front-engined bus chassis, a 17-ton bus chassis, a minibus and an Argale 7500 light truck. In addition to this line, Agrale Argentina also developed a prototype bus for both urban and medium-distance transport. In May 2009, the Mercedes plant obtained ISO Quality Certification. By mid-2009 the company had invested more than $12,000,000 into Argentina, employing 56 people in both production and administration.
By the end of 2015, Agrale Argentina achieved a local production record of 1,300 vehicles at its Mercedes plant, also acheving a record turnover of vehicle sales in the country.[19]