Cross Lander (company)

Cross Lander USA Inc

Industry	automobiles
Founded	2003
Headquarters	Manaus , Brazil

Cross Lander do Brasil was a company established in 2002 following a partnership between a Brazilian group, which held 70% of the capital and was also involved in KIA Motors do Brasil, and a group of North American entrepreneurs from the automobile distribution sector, which held a 30% stake. The company's main objective was to assemble ARO off-road vehicles of Romanian origin at facilities in the Manaus Free Trade Zone, in the state of Amazonas. The company's plans called for approximately 50% of production to be exported to the European Union, while the remainder was to be sold on the Brazilian market and in other countries in Latin America.

History

The production line was inaugurated in late September 2002. Initial plans called for the production of 800 vehicles in the first year, 3,000 in 2003 and 5,000 in 2004, with a significant portion of production intended for the North American market.

Models

The first model launched was the CL-244, a five-door off-road vehicle derived from the ARO 24, which incorporated the design updates recently introduced on the model produced in Romania.

According to company representatives, the vehicle had a local content level of approximately 70%. Components such as the complete chassis, independent front suspension with coil springs, rigid rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, transfer case, and front ventilated disc brakes were imported. In contrast, the 2.8-litre turbocharged and intercooled MWM diesel engine producing 132 hp, five-speed gearbox, hydraulic power steering, electrical system, wheels and tyres were produced in Brazil. The vehicle was equipped with mechanically operated four-wheel drive and low-range gearing, as well as manually locking wheel hubs. Its simple and rugged construction was primarily intended for use on rough terrain, at the expense of interior finishes and comfort equipment, although air conditioning was available. A version intended for military use was also developed.

At the 22nd edition of the São Paulo Auto Show, held in late 2002, the company presented its second model, the CL-330. It was a pickup truck that used the same mechanical configuration as the CL-244 and had a payload of 1.3 tonnes, carried in a metal cargo bed measuring 2.9 metres in length. The model differed through the use of a fibreglass front bumper, which was considered fragile compared with the rest of the vehicle's construction.

Despite its competitive price, Cross Lander faced difficulties due to the small size of its distribution network, which consisted of only 16 independent dealers in Brazil. Plans to export to the European Union also failed to materialise, although some vehicles had been sent for the homologation process. As a result, the initial production targets were not met. Instead of the 800 vehicles planned for the first year, only 72 units were produced. After approximately 200 vehicles had been manufactured, the assembly line was suspended, and the company changed ownership and was renamed Cross Lander Indústria e Comércio Ltda.

At the 23rd edition of the São Paulo Auto Show in 2004, the new company presented what was described as the definitive version of the CL-330 pickup, which until then had not entered series production. Mechanically, it retained the configuration of the model presented two years earlier, including the imported components and 1.3-tonne payload. The cab had been extended, however, while the length of the cargo bed had been reduced to 2.62 metres. The interior featured improved materials and finishes.

The company's situation remained unstable. Following another corporate restructuring, Bramont Montadora Industrial e Comercial S.A. was established in 2005, controlled by the Brazilian Bringer Group, and the assembly line was transferred to a new facility in Manaus. Cross Lander vehicles, however, encountered difficulties in complying with Brazilian emissions regulations, resulting in the suspension of production.

In the same year, Bramont and Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra began negotiations for the local production of Mahindra utility vehicles. As a result, Cross Lander products were gradually phased out of the company's range. Bramont even announced a "2006 new line" under the Cross Ranger name, but subsequently abandoned production of the Romanian-origin vehicles. These were returned to be assembled by a company re-established under the name Cross Lander do Brasil, at the former KIA facilities. The vehicles used MWM engines adapted to comply with Proconve standards, but production was permanently discontinued shortly afterwards.

Cross Lander 244X

Cross Lander 244X
Overview
Manufacturer	Cross Lander
Also called	Cross Lander CL-244
Production	2002–2006
Assembly	Brazil: Manaus
Body and chassis
Class	Off-road vehicle
Related	ARO 24 Series
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L MWM I4 (turbodiesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual

The Cross Lander 244X was a basic, rugged 4x4 SUV built under license from Romanian ARO from 2002 to 2006 in Manaus, Brazil, and based on the ARO 244. ARO was to supply CKD kits to Brazil for assembly by Cross Lander Industria e Comercio. Sales in the United States were expected to begin in 2005, with targets of 6,000 units per year but the launch has been cancelled. The American Cross Lander used Ford's 4.0 L Cologne V6 engine and an Eaton transmission. The engine produces 207 hp (154 kW) and 238 ft·lbf (323 N·m) of torque.

Production

In the first year of production, 2003, only 72 vehicles were manufactured, compared with the 800 units initially planned. After approximately 200 vehicles had been produced, the assembly line was shut down. A second attempt to resume production took place in 2005, but Cross Lander vehicles no longer met the requirements of Brazilian environmental legislation. Cross Lander USA Inc. dissolved itself in 2006.