ASTRA Arad, also known as Întreprinderea de Vagoane Arad (IVA), is the name of a group of industrial engineering and rolling stock companies originated in Arad, Romania. Operating as a single entity until 1996, the company then split into other independent companies, Astra Vagoane for freight cars production (integrated later in Astra Rail Industries), Astra Vagoane Călători for passenger coaches and trams, and Astra Bus for bus and trolleybus manufacturing.
History
Early history
Johann Weitzer’sche Maschinen-Waggonfabrik
Johann Weitzer (born in 1832, died in 1902) was an Austrian skilled blacksmith and businessman. In 1854, he founded his own workshop, which expanded quickly, even producing vehicles for the construction of the Suez Canal. The main products were railway wagons and arms for Austrian use.[1] In 1872, he transformed his enterprise into a joint-stock company