History of the diesel car Production diesel car history started in 1933 with Citroën's Rosalie, which featured a diesel engine option (the 1,766 cc 11UD engine) in the Familiale (estate or station wagon) model. The Mercedes-Benz 260D and the Hanomag Rekord were introduced in 1936. Immediately after World War II, and throughout the 1950s and 1960s, diesel-powered cars began to gain limited popularity, particularly for commercial applications, such as ambulances, taxis, and station wagons used for delivery work. Most were conventional in design. Mercedes-Benz offered a continuous stream of diesel-powered taxis, beginning in 1949 with their 170D powered by the OM-636 engine. Later, in 1959
DESA (company) engine assembly began in 1996, RK 215 engine production began in 2000. In 2009 the company unveiled Iran's first indigenous heavy diesel engine, the D87. A dual fuel (gas / diesel) version is also to be produced. The company produces diesel generators for permanent and emergency electricity supply. 104 units have been supplied to the Iran Telecommunications Company. The company is a supplier to both the Iranian Islamic Republic Railways and the Raja Passenger Train Company. DESA has manufactured the Ruston RK 215 diesel engine for the AD43C mainline diesel locomotive, of which 70 units were manufactured by Wagon Pars.