UMM (União Metalo-Mecânica)

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UMM (União Metalo-Mecânica, pron. IPA: [uni'ɐ̃ũ mɨ'talɔ mɨ'kɐnika]) is a Portuguese metal works factory and a former automobile manufacturer based in Lisbon. It was founded in 1977 with the purpose of manufacturing 4WD vehicles for agricultural, industrial and utility applications.

History

The UMM four wheel drive design is derived from a prototype created by the French engineering firm Cournil, called Entrepreneur. The Cournil Entrepreneur's building rights were acquired by the Portuguese company União Metalo-Mecânica, part of the Mocar group.

They became known for their reliability, especially when in a Paris-Dakar rally the team was able to finish with all the cars that started. Many UMMs are still in use by utilities in Spain and Portugal and also by the "Guarda Nacional Republicana" (Portuguese Gendarmerie), fire service and military, although the majority of their customers were private individuals. They are also popular in France and Angola.

UMM stopped building cars for private customers in 1993, but kept on taking large orders from military and utility services until 1996. Custom orders are still accepted. The most famous UMM is probably the one who transported Pope John Paul II in one of his visits to Portugal.

An updated version was announced in 2000, powered by the Citroen XM's 2.1 L Turbo Diesel engine. This engine was less noisy and more torquey at low speed. Several options were available, including air conditioning and GPS. Price was meant to be equivalent to a Land Rover Discovery with similar finishings. However, the company had no capital to invest on its development.

Specifications

Engine

The UMM 4x4 (later UMM Alter, named after a Portuguese horse breed) was available with three engine options, all supplied by Peugeot: 2.0 L Petrol OHC (87 bhp), 2.5 litre Diesel OHV (75 hp), 2.5 litre Turbo Diesel OHV (110 bhp).

The new Alter 2000 is available in several cabin configurations, all powered with a 2.1 litre Turbo Diesel OHV (110 bhp).

External links

• http://www.umm.pt (in Portuguese and English)
• http://www.umm.pt/tt/principal_06.html (Specifications)