Automotive Equipment Group
Israel's first post-independence vehicle importer, founded in 1949, now importing Suzuki passenger cars and MAN trucks and buses.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Automotive Equipment Group Ltd. (Hebrew: מכשירי תנועה בע"מ, Mechirei Tnu'a) is a private Israeli company founded in May 1949 by businessman Yosef Buchsbaum. It was the first vehicle importer established in Israel after the country's independence. The company's offices were originally in Tel Aviv, with a presence on Broadway in New York, where Buchsbaum was based. Its first and principal activity was holding the distribution franchise for American Dodge vehicles, and shortly afterward it also obtained the franchise to distribute Goodyear tires. In its early years the company struggled to sell vehicles because demand for new cars and trucks was low, so revenues were based mainly on tire and spare-parts sales. Over the decades the company expanded through multiple import franchises and subsidiaries. In February 1951 it began distributing British Land Rover vehicles, and in 1961 it started importing French Simca cars. In 1961 it established the subsidiary Moto Parts, which imported and marketed automotive spare parts; this activity was sold in 2014. In 1966 it founded the subsidiary Nazareth Illit Automotive Industries, which initially assembled pickup trucks and light trucks, mainly Dodge trucks for the Israel Defense Forces, and later assembled vehicles from additional manufacturers, including the Ford Escort and the Avir off-road vehicle, until it closed in 2019. In 1972 the company acquired part ownership of the Israeli Automobile Company, the Ford importer in Israel, and held the Ford franchise until 1999. In 1981 the company opened the Israeli representation of the car-rental company Budget. In January 1992 it separated from the Budget brand and replaced it with its own brand called Reliable, and later represented other car-rental companies until this activity ended in 2004. In 1983 CEO Zvi Neta, son of Yosef Buchsbaum, traveled to Japan to look for a Japanese vehicle manufacturer willing to let him import its vehicles to Israel at a time when companies were succumbing to the Arab boycott. He eventually found Suzuki, which agreed to sell to him, and in 1984 Mechirei Tnu'a began importing Suzuki vehicles to Israel. In 1987 the company established the subsidiary Mativ Insurance Agency Ltd., which sells car insurance as well as apartment and health insurance. In the early 1990s the company began importing Jaguar cars (until 1999), and in 1996 a subsidiary, in partnership with the Har Shalom family, began importing Porsche cars (until 2015). In 2000 the company participated in the founding of the public transport company Metropoline, and in 2021 it sold its holdings in that company for 120 million shekels. In 2003 it participated in the founding of the public transport company Metrodan. In 2014 the Italian company Fiat acquired control of the American Chrysler company, owner of the Jeep, Dodge and Ram brands. As a result, Mechirei Tnu'a was required to sell the distribution rights for these brands to Mediterranean Car Agency Ltd., the Fiat importer in Israel. In 2012 the company received the representation of the German MAN company, and it imports trucks and buses manufactured by it. In September 2023 the company acquired 60% ownership of EV-MOTORS, which imports vehicles from China. As of 2021, 100% of the company's shares are held by Israeli businessman Zvi Neta, who inherited them from his father, Yosef Buchsbaum, who founded the company in 1949. In April 1990 the Buchsbaum-Neta family acquired half of the ownership in Mechirei Tnu'a from Koor Industries for 16 million dollars. In 2004 Arnon Milchan entered as a partner in the company and acquired about 50% of its shares through Milchan Communications, which he controlled. In 2008 Milchan exited this partnership and sold his share back to Zvi Neta, who has since held full ownership of the company.
History
Automotive Equipment Group Ltd. (Mechirei Tnu'a) was founded in May 1949 by businessman Yosef Buchsbaum. It was the first vehicle importer established in Israel after the country's independence. The company's offices were located in Tel Aviv, and on Broadway in New York, where Buchsbaum was based. Its first and principal field of activity was holding the distribution franchise for American Dodge vehicles, and shortly afterward it also received the franchise to distribute Goodyear tires. Initially the company had difficulty selling its vehicles due to low demand for new cars and trucks, and consequently its revenues in its early years were based mainly on the sale of tires and spare parts for vehicles. In February 1951 the company began distributing British Land Rover vehicles. In 1961 it began importing French Simca cars. In 1961 the company established the subsidiary Moto Parts, which engaged in the import and marketing of automotive spare parts; this activity was sold in 2014. In 1966 the subsidiary Nazareth Illit Automotive Industries was established, which initially assembled pickup trucks and light trucks, mainly Dodge trucks for the IDF, and later assembled vehicles from additional manufacturers, including the Ford Escort and the Avir off-road vehicle, until it closed in 2019. In 1972 the company acquired part ownership of the Israeli Automobile Company, the Ford importer in Israel, and held the Ford franchise until 1999. In 1981 the company opened the representation of the car-rental company Budget in Israel. In January 1992 the company separated from the Budget brand and replaced it with its own brand called Reliable, and later the company represented other car-rental companies, until this activity ended in 2004. In 1983 the company's CEO Zvi Neta, son of Yosef Buchsbaum, flew to Japan in order to look for a Japanese vehicle manufacturer that would allow him to import vehicles manufactured by it to Israel at a time when companies were succumbing to the Arab boycott. Eventually he found Suzuki, which agreed to sell to him, and in 1984 Mechirei Tnu'a began importing vehicles manufactured by Suzuki to Israel. In 1987 the company established the subsidiary Mativ Insurance Agency Ltd., which engages in the sale of car insurance, as well as apartment insurance and health insurance. In the early 1990s the company began importing Jaguar cars (until 1999), and in 1996 a subsidiary, in partnership with the Har Shalom family, began importing Porsche cars (until 2015). In 2000 the company participated in the founding of the public transport company Metropoline, and in 2021 it sold its holdings in that company for 120 million shekels. In 2003 it participated in the founding of the public transport company Metrodan. In 2014 the Italian company Fiat acquired control of the American Chrysler company, owner of the Jeep, Dodge and Ram brands. As a result, Mechirei Tnu'a was required to sell the distribution rights for these brands to Mediterranean Car Agency Ltd., the Fiat importer in Israel. In 2012 the company received the representation of the German MAN company, and it imports trucks and buses manufactured by it. In September 2023 the company acquired 60% ownership of EV-MOTORS, which imports vehicles from China. Regarding ownership: as of 2021, 100% of the company's shares are held by Israeli businessman Zvi Neta, who inherited them from his father, Yosef Buchsbaum, who founded the company in 1949. In April 1990 the Buchsbaum-Neta family acquired half of the ownership in Mechirei Tnu'a from Koor Industries for 16 million dollars. In 2004 Arnon Milchan entered as a partner in the company and acquired about 50% of its shares through Milchan Communications, which he controlled. In 2008 Milchan exited this partnership and sold his share in the company back to Zvi Neta, who has since held full ownership of the company.
- 2023
In September, acquired 60% ownership of EV-MOTORS, which imports vehicles from China.
- 2021
Sold holdings in Metropoline for 120 million shekels.
- 2019
Nazareth Illit Automotive Industries closed.
- 2014
Sold Moto Parts activity; required to sell distribution rights for Jeep, Dodge and Ram to Mediterranean Car Agency.
- 2012
Received the representation of German MAN, importing its trucks and buses.
- 2008
Milchan exited the partnership and sold his share back to Zvi Neta, who has since held full ownership.
- 2004
Arnon Milchan entered as a partner, acquiring about 50% of shares through Milchan Communications.
- 2003
Participated in founding the public transport company Metrodan.
- 2000
Participated in founding the public transport company Metropoline.
- 1996
A subsidiary, in partnership with the Har Shalom family, began importing Porsche cars (until 2015).
Products and positioning
Israel's veteran vehicle importer and distributor, representing global brands such as Suzuki, MAN, Changan and Bridgestone, with diversified activities in tires, insurance and fleet management.
Suzuki passenger vehicles
Imported and distributed in Israel since 1984.
MAN trucks and buses
Imported and distributed in Israel since 2012.
Changan vehicles
Imported and distributed in Israel.
Bridgestone tires
Import and marketing of tires and rubber products.
Mativ insurance
Car, apartment and health insurance through subsidiary Mativ Insurance Agency Ltd.
Fleet management
Management and maintenance of vehicle fleets.
Sources3 sources
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