History of the Israeli automotive industry and why Israeli cars "chewed camels"
The Israeli automotive industry may not be as famous as the automotive giants from the US, Germany or Japan, but it has its own unique and interesting history. Initially seeking to ensure national autonomy in the transport industry, Israel has faced many obstacles along the way. Let's see how it developed.
Early years
The history of automobile production in Israel began in the 1950s with Autocars Co. It was the first experience of mass production of cars in the country. The company produced compact cars and trucks for two decades, but due to economic difficulties and competition from foreign brands, it ceased operations in 1980.
Why did cars "chew camels"?
The phrase "chewing camels" sounds rather strange in the context of cars, but it's actually not a literal expression. This refers to one of the most interesting and unusual developments in the history of the Israeli automotive industry - camel fuel cars.
Israel is a country with deserts for the most part, and camels are one of the few animals that can survive in such conditions. In the 1970s, during the energy crisis, researchers and engineers began looking for alternatives to traditional fuels and came up with the idea of using camel fat as a biofuel.
The idea was simple enough: camel fat is converted into biodiesel, which is then used to fuel cars. Experimental cars were successfully launched and showed quite good efficiency.
Modern era
After decades of development and innovation, the Israeli automotive industry has been transformed. Now the focus is on electric vehicles and autonomous technology. Companies such as Mobileye and Better Place have put Israel on the map as a major player in the electric and autonomous vehicle industry.
Thus, whether they "chew" camels or use more traditional fuel sources, Israeli cars continue to make their unique contribution to the global automotive industry.