SAVA (Spain)

Sociedad Anónima de Vehículos Automoviles (SAVA) was a Spanish producer of light and medium commercial vehicles, based in Valladolid. The company started in 1957 with a three-wheeled vehicle called the SAVA P-54, which could carry a two-ton load. This design was originally by FADA (Fábrica de Automóviles de Aluminio, or "Aluminium Car Factory"). SAVA switched to make a Barreiros-engined light truck called the P-58 in 1959; this truck had weight capacities between 2 and 2.5 tonnes (4,400 and 5,500 lb). From 1960 to 1963, SAVA built heavier models based on several British-designed Austin, Morris and BMC commercial vehicles but with Spanish-built cabs. They were marketed as SAVA, SAVA-Austin, or SAVA-BMC. They subsequently gave way to the successful SAVA S-76 model, a large van, and the well-known Austin FG. SAVA signed a cooperation agreement with French Berliet in April 1964; as a result, SAVA assembled that company's heavy, 18-tonne GBH truck from 1966 through 1969. It was sold as the SAVA-Berliet GPS-12 and was SAVA's first and only heavyweight truck. In early 60s, Sava were making steel cabs of their own design, and from then on only the Sava badge was used.