Bombardier Transportation Austria

Bombardier Transportation Austria GmbH

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Transportation manufacturing
Predecessor	Lohner-Werke, Lohner Rotax, Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, Bombardier Wien Schienenfahrzeuge (BWS)
Founded	1821 in Vienna, Austria
Founder	Heinrich Lohner
Headquarters	Vienna , Austria
Area served	Europe
Products	Trams, Light rail vehicles (LRVs)
Owner	Bombardier Transportation (subsidiary of Bombardier Inc.)
Parent	Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation Austria GmbH operates as an Austrian branch of Bombardier Transportation, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Originating in the 19th century under the name Lohner-Werke, the firm initially specialized in crafting luxury coachbuilding products. Around the turn of the 20th century, it pioneered Austria’s first electric automobiles, engineered by Ferdinand Porsche. In the early decades of the 1900s, Lohner diversified into aircraft production before transitioning to tram manufacturing after the First World War. Following World War II, the company shifted focus to scooters and mopeds powered by Rotax engines, eventually merging with Rotax in 1959 to create Lohner Rotax. The Canadian corporation Bombardier Transportation took a controlling interest in 1970, renaming the firm Bombardier-Rotax GmbH. Later rebranded as Bombardier Wien Schienenfahrzeuge (BWS) and subsequently Bombardier Transportation Austria GmbH, it moved to a dedicated manufacturing site in 2007 and now concentrates solely on tram production.

History

The enterprise traces back to 1821 when Heinrich Lohner founded a workshop in Vienna, which evolved into Jacob Lohner & Co. under his son Jacob Lohner (1821–1892). The company produced between 300 and 500 vehicles annually, catering to royal households across Europe and earning the distinction k.u.k. Hofwagenlieferant ("Royal Carriagemakers").

In 1887, leadership passed to Ludwig Lohner (1858–1925), who redirected efforts toward self-propelled vehicles. He recruited engineer Ferdinand Porsche in 1898, who developed electric cars powered by batteries featuring hub-mounted motors. These vehicles gained acclaim at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Porsche later advanced petrol-electric hybrid models marketed to military and municipal sectors before departing in 1905. This innovation influenced subsequent Mercedes designs under Daimler.

By 1909, Lohner had expanded into aircraft manufacturing, supplying reconnaissance planes for the Austro-Hungarian military during World War I along with flying boats for naval use. Its designs were later adapted by Italian manufacturer Macchi and provided early aircraft for Spain's air force.

Following World War I, restrictions prohibited further aircraft production; consequently, the company pivoted to manufacturing trams and coach bodies. The Floridsdorf plant closed amid the Great Depression. During the Anschluss era, Lohner produced aircraft wings but endured war-related damages; after 1945, it was managed by public authorities until returning to family ownership in 1949.

Beginning in 1949, Lohner manufactured scooters and mopeds designed by Otto Kauba, including well-known models such as the Sissy, L125, and L98 equipped with Rotax engines. Nevertheless, increasing automobile ownership led to declining sales. Tram production also recommenced following World War II.

In 1959, Lohner merged with its engine supplier Rotax. Throughout the 1960s, it completed contracts for hay loaders and military gun carriages while producing licensed Bombardier Ski-Doo snowmobiles from 1966 until 1970.

The year 1970 marked Bombardier’s acquisition of a majority stake, renaming the company Bombardier-Rotax GmbH and integrating it into a global transportation conglomerate.

Bombardier Transportation

Restructured as a division under Bombardier-Rotax named Bombardier Wien Schienenfahrzeuge (BWS), the Vienna facility specialized in carbody construction focused on Light rail vehicles (LRVs) following Bombardier's acquisition of Adtranz in 2001. In 2007, operations moved to a state-of-the-art plant located in Vienna's Donaustadt district. Since 2012, it has functioned as Bombardier Transportation Austria GmbH & Co. KG, producing trams for European clientele.

Aircraft

• Lohner Type AA
• Lohner B.I
• Lohner B.II
• Lohner B.VII
• Lohner E
• Lohner L