Introduction
Innis Motor Company is an American manufacturer formed in 1940 in response to the Second World War. Founded in Columbia, South Carolina, the company specialized in manufacturing light utility vehicles, agricultural equipment, military components, and commercial trucks. During their time in WW2, the American front commended its dependability, ruggedness and brute-force power, creating demand for them to be sold as labourer and civilian vehicles in the country. Although the M1 series of vehicles were the first to be adapted for civilian use, it wasn’t until the 1950s when the Chief Tillamook heavy duty truck lead its fleet of vehicles, being the company’s best seller since its founding.
MEN Buyout
Facing declining sales in the mid-2000s and nearing bankruptcy, a portion of Innis Motor Company was acquired by MEN Nutfahrzeuge AG which created opportunity for Innis vehicles to sell internationally, albeit burning bridges between the company and their homeland with the disbandment of the bus subdivision and cancellation of government contracts.
Controversies
Afghan Purchases
During the War in Afghanistan, Innis Motor Company directly provided the Afghan government with trucks, only to find out their own vehicles were being used against them by terrorist groups who captured the trucks in later Middle Eastern conflicts.
Anti-Environmental Lobbying & Bankruptcy
Between 2000-2006, the Innis Motor Company invested almost $50 million lobbying congress to loosen emissions regulations on diesel engines, while the remainder of their cash flow went to company buybacks. These combined, almost lead to the bankruptcy of the company before being bought out by MEN Nutfahrzeuge AG.
Emissions Non-Compliance
In 2002, Innis Motor Company faced multiple non-conformance penalties from the EPA, which tacked on a $3,500 fine for every non-compliant engine the corporation sold.
Indigenous Recognition
Controversy arose in the late 2010s, regarding the names of Innis’ trucks and engines, which were direct references to indigenous tribes across America. Innis is a historically conservative corporation which has funded oil companies and the construction of pipelines across sacred land. The company has yet to release a statement to this day.
Current Lineup
Civilian
Trucks
Kiwanda Light Truck (1980-2010, 2018-present)
Chief Tillamook HT/34T/OT (1952-present)
Hancock Super Heavy Duty (2007-2010, 2018-present)
SUVs
Bayonet Subcompact Crossover (2008-present)
Browning Compact Crossover (2004-present)
M1 Jeep (1940-present)
Garand Fullsize MPV Crossover [China Only] (2016-present)
Remington Fullsize SUV (1972-present)
Commercial
Blue Ridge Semi-Truck (TBD)
Vans
Urbvan SLD/LD/HD [MEN Buyout] (2007-present)
Rapid Dispatch Van (1995-present)
Military
BRAP [MEN Buyout] (2001-present)
CRAP [MEN Buyout] (1980-present)