From steam to hydrogen
New sources of engine power made the history of Autosan gain momentum
1832
Walenty Lipiński and Mateusz Beksiński established a boilers’ plant. The history of the factory has been changing depending on domestic and European economic situation. At the beginning of its activity, factory produced devices and equipment for the oil mining, distillery industry and brewing industry.
1891
First order for wagons – 4 pcs for the city of Cracow.
1894
The factory became the most important manufacturer of passenger and freight railcars and trams in Poland. After World War I it was populary known as “Sanowag”.
In addition to wagons, machinery and equipment for the oil, spirits and brewing industry, the factory also produced steam machines and boilers, tankers, cranes, dredgers, road rollers, steel lifeboats, steel bridge structures and foundry products.
1926 – 1928
The first ten buses with wooden frames on the chassis from the Italian company Lancia left the factory.
1949
Ceremonial handover of the first fifteen trams to the Warsaw W-Z route opening.
1948 – 1950
Production of buses on Fiat chassis.
1951
The first bus equipped with domestic units, symbol N-50, was produced in Sanok.
1957
A new tourist bus, the SFW-1 SANOK, was designed by Zdzisław Beksinski. This vehicle never entered mass production due to overly innovative design.
1958
Launching of the SAN buses production, initially H-01, and in subsequent years H-25, H-27, H100. The enterprise took the name: Sanok Bus Factory AUTOSAN.
1973
Launching of mass production of the new bus family, named AUTOSAN H9, characterized by– for its time – high level of technology and better functionality as well as a frame chassis and rear-mounted diesel engine.
1978
January: record of monthly bus production – 375 units
1984
Launching of production of the next bus family named AUTOSAN H10, intended for local and intercity passenger traffic, with increased passenger capacity.
1986
The first Polish project of hybrid bus, H10-30, was created jointly with the Cracow University of Technology.
1990
The factory changed its legal status and transformed itself into a company.
1993
The 100.000th bus left the production line.
1994 / 1995
Launching of production of the new city and intercity bus family with A symbol.
1996
Starting of production of cabins intended for Polish Army.
1999
The first AUTOSAN school buses were built. More than 1,000 vehicles of this type have been delivered on the Polish market.
2001
- AUTOSAN products “returned on the tracks” – manufacture of bodywork and components for rail vehicles.
- A prototype of a gas-fueled bus A10.10M.08 CNG was cretaed.
2007
Celebrating the 175th anniversary of company’s tradition. A special website dedicated to the factory’s history was created, maintained by a longtime employee of the Autosan Design Office.
2008
Starting of production of the new local and intercity bus family, named EUROLIDER.
2009
Launching of mass production of the new city bus family, named SANCITY, manufactured in low-entry and low-floor versions, in lengths of 9-12 m.
2010
Production of the first in the factory history, articulated, 18-meter bus – SANCITY 18LF.
2012
- 180th anniversary of AUTOSAN traditions.
- SAN H01 bus from 1959 and AUTOSAN H09 bus from 1977 were restored on the occasion of the Jubilee.
2013
- In September, the Management filed a bankruptcy application with the Court as a result of many external and internal conditions.
- In October, the Court appointed a bankruptcy trustee for AUTOSAN S.A. and enabled to continue economic activity.
2016
- On March 30th the AUTOSAN factory was acquired by a consortium of PIT-RADWAR and Huta Stalowa Wola, part of the Polish Armaments Group. The company started its further activity by the name of AUTOSAN sp. z o.o.
- SANCITY 12LF CNG bus powered by natural gas joined the family of city buses.
2018
The first electric bus in the company’s history was manufactured – the SANCITY 12LFE city bus.
2019
The first electric, city AUTOSAN bus for domestic market was manufactured and presented to the customers.
2021
The first hydrogen-powered bus was built. It had its official premiere at the TRANSEXPO trade fair in Kielce.
2022
- The first articulated buses powered by liquefied gas, SANCITY 18LF LNG, were produced.
- On December 1st, Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. completed the incorporation of the entire enterprise from AUTOSAN sp. z o.o. Since then it has operated as HSW S.A. Autosan Branch in Sanok.
2023
The first 4 x 4 Waran combat vehicles were produced.
2024
The first JELCZ S02 special vehicles assembled in Sanok left the factory.
