Lancia Ro (truck)

The Lancia Ro was a heavy truck introduced in 1933 and the first of a large family of heavy trucks from Lancia V.I., the industrial vehicle arm of Lancia. It was shown to the public at the Milan motor show in April 1932 and reached the market early in 1933. It was the first truck from the Turin maker to run on a diesel engine, a two stroke design built under licence from Junkers, and a petrol version was offered as well, coded BM against NM for the diesel. It was also the first truck in Italy with a four speed gearbox with a reduction unit. In army comparison trials the Ro and the Fiat 632 were judged the most suitable. The army bought 4,757 between 1934 and 1938 and 429 went to civilian buyers. It served in East Africa from 1935 and 1936, and in the Second World War it hauled artillery. Military and civilian versions had different wheelbases.