MOTOR SHOW DEBUT FOR PORTUGUESE UMM 4X4 RANGE

National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, 19-30th Sept.

Stand no. 733, Hall 7

The new UMM range of 4-wheel drive vehicles will make its official debut on the British market at this year’s Birmingham Motor Show later this month.

There are four models currently in the range including Station Wagon, Soft Top, Pick-up and Hard Top, all powered by Peugeot 2.5 litre diesel engines with the option of normal aspiration or turbo intercooler, the latter developing 110bhp DIN @ 4,150rpm.

Prices range from £8,763 + VAT for the Pick-up, to £13,834 (incl. Car Tax & VAT) for the seven seater Turbo Diesel Station Wagon.

UMM will further extend its range for the UK market with three new additions later in the year, details of which will be announced at the Motor Show. Using a 121" wheelbase, these new models include a 12 seater Station Wagon (with six forward facing and six inward facing seats), a Crew Cab/Pick-up and Chassis Cab. These derivatives will considerably strengthen the company’s presence in the serious commercial 4x4 vehicle sector. The new vehicles are considered ideal for companies, public authorities and service utilities (such as gas, water, telephone and electricity), which need to move small teams of engineers and equipment over difficult terrain. The UMM also offers a proven chassis and 4-wheel drive running gear, making it an ideal platform onto which specialist bodies can be mounted.

The UMM is designed primarily as a working vehicle and targeted at the commercial or agricultural vehicle operator. Noted particularly for the strength of construction, the vehicles are built from 2 mm steel body panels, and mounted on a separate 4 mm steel ladder chassis. The combination of strong construction and Peugeot power, gives the UMM a level of reliability and durability that has ensured sales success with municipal authorities and armed services within NATO.

Other features of the vehicle include a payload of 1,110 kg (over 1.1 tonne) and a 3,500 kg (3.5 tonne) towing capacity. Standard equipment includes a 5-speed gearbox, chain driven transfer box, with ventilated front disc brakes and Dana Spicer/GKN axles. There is a choice of turbo intercooled or normally aspirated diesel engines, 100" or 121" wheelbase, luxe and base trim. Options include power steering, special wheels and tyres, and powered winch. Power-take-off (PTa), snow plough attachment and a hydraulic platform are also available, making the UMM ideal for specialist conversion to ambulance, fire service and civil engineering use.

Commented Peter Jones, Technical Director of the British concessionaires for UMM, "We have introduced the UMM marque gradually onto the UK market and have successfully established a network of some 30 sales & service centres across the country. Our presence at Motor Show signals the start of a major sales drive for the company and as we move towards the peak selling period for 4-wheel drive vehicles, I am confident that the UMM 4x4 product will out perform the smaller, lighter 4x4 models available, as well as the more expensive mid-range Japanese makes.

"The UMM’s off-road superiority has been demonstrated time and again, none more convincingly than at this year’s 4WDriving Force competition (Cop Drive) where it beat over 70 other competitors including 40 Land Rovers to take joint overall victory. And if that wasn’t sufficient proof, the company also took the manufacturer’s trophy at the British off-road championship, and was voted "Toughest of f-roader" of the year by Off-Road and 4-wheel drive magazine.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION UMM - The Importer

The UMM 4x4 range is imported into the UK by sole concessionaires, SMC Industrial Products Ltd, direct from the manufacturer Uniao Metalo-Mecanica (UMM) in Lisbon, Portugal. SMC is part of a group of companies established in 1918 and has a fine engineering pedigree. The company has many years experience of working with Land Rover and Range Rover products, as well as operating the UK distribution of Nissan diesel engines, largely for the conversion of Land Rover/Range Rover vehicles from petrol to diesel power.

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