Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado (Spanish for State Aeronautical and áuticasyMecáMechanical Industries, abbreviated IAME) was a state-owned entity and autarchic conglomerate of factories of Argentina created in 1951 to promote the manufacture of aircraft and automobiles during the Juan Perón administration.
The company was established to manufacture automobiles in the country, taking advantage of the advances of Aerotechnical Institute of Córdoba Province. At its peak, IAME manufactured (apart from automobiles) airplanes, tractors, motorcycles, motorboats, and weapons. In 1956, it was renamed "Dirección Nacional de Fabricación e Investigación Aeronáutica" (Spanish for National Directorate of Aeronautical Manufacturing and Research, abbreviated "DINFIA").
In 1967, it was established that DINFIA would focus on aeronautics and aerospace, while the automotive division would be taken over by another company created with that purpose, "Industrias Mecánicas del Estado" (IME). The company was finally shut down in 1979 by the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina during the National Reorganization Process.
History
Constitution
After completion of the Five-Year Plans ("Plan Quinquenal"), the administration of President Juan Perón had failed to establish a solid foundation for the growth of heavy industry. The trade balance in the automotive heading was unfavorable in 1951, imported around 20,000 units. Therefore, Perón met with representatives of major foreign automakers to boost car production in the country. His proposal was rejected by the foreign manufacturers, arguing that Argentina lacked the necessary expertise for the task and admitting only have a few autoparts Argentina invoice or final assembly in the country of foreign auto parts.
Decree nº 24.103 dated on 30 November 1951 set the establishment of "Fábrica de Motores y Automotores" (Motor and motorcar factory) which was absorved in 1952 by "Industrias Aeronáuticas y Mecánicas del Estado" (IAME), which also took over the Instituto Aerotécnico. The main purpose of the recently created business was to produce automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, and tractors, setting the serial production date on 1 November 1952. The company began operations at Fábrica Militar de Aviones.
IAME conglomerate took the legal form of company self-sufficient, with a directory, general administration and administrations of factories. The first directory was chaired by Juan Ignacio San Martin. Financing funds came from a loan from the Industrial Bank of Argentina of $53,000,000, guaranteed by the State under the doctrine of Peronism.
The IAME had 12,000 workers and managers at the time. There were many projects, following a low-cost policy that allowed mass production to achieve low manufacturing costs. It also acquired licenses to produce locally European automotive models of low cost and easy maintenance-mainly Germans-to ensure expertise in the production and adaptation of use. When licenses were not acquired, projects initiated were highly influenced by the original models in question.
Demise
The military dictatorship that ruled Argentina during the National Reorganization Process set the closure of IME on May 22, 1979. Then Minister of Economy, José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, carried out the decision alleging economic reasons.
Models produced
Justicialista
By the beginning of the 1950s, some of the most developed countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil and Mexico) were in process to substitute imports. Therefore, the local industry was revitalised in order to build automobiles. In 1949, President of Argentina Juan Perón signed a decree to refurbish part of the Aircraft Factory, adapting it to start manufacturing automobiles. José Higinio Monserrat was appointed as the first director of the Automobile Factory while engineer Raúl Gómez, who work at the Aerotechnical Institute of Córdoba ("Institec"), was another key figure of IAME.
The first car manufactured by IAME was the Justicialista model in 1952. This car had a body designed in Argentina but inspired on the Chevrolet models of those times. They were powered with Wartburg engines imported from Germany. The first prototype was developed and built in only 90 days, using national materials for manufacturing it. The Justicialista line included a sedan, the chatita (small pickup), van, and a sport coupe. They were sold at low prices, with a total of 3,730 units produced.
After General Perón was deposed by the Revolución Libertadora in 1955, the Justicialista was rebranded as Graciela by the Military Government. The sport version was cancelled while the sedan and small pickup lasted until 1957.