In 1951, the company now known as “Anstalt für
Verbrennungskraftmaschinen List” (AVL for short) was for-
mally established in Graz. Supported by investment from the
Marshall Plan, the central test site was opened at Kleiststrasse
48 in 1952, boasting its own testbeds and a workshop. This
enabled AVL to take on more orders for engine development,
for example, for Jenbacher Werke, Steyr-Daimler-Puch, and
numerous foreign companies. The corporate headquarters are
still at this location today, alongside the head office for central
research and development tasks.
The 1950s
In 1955, AVL made the decision to develop engines for com-
mercial vehicles. Market analysis determined a need for small
diesel trucks with a load capacity of 800 to 1000 kg, and for
light equipment carriers for smaller agricultural enterprises.
AVL quickly came to an agreement with the steel industry in
Rottenmann to construct and manufacture diesel-powered
delivery vehicles. In 1958, AVL introduced the first four-stroke
diesel engines with direct injection for trucks equipped with
swirl ducts. These replaced the two-stroke engines and four-
stroke prechamber engines.
First expansion of AVL in 1952
Further expansion in 1958
75 YEARS AND BEYOND
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