ASTRA (Anonima Sarda TRAsporti) was founded by Mario Bertuzzi in Cagliari for reconditioning military vehicles (war surplus).


The company transferred its tracked vehicles (Sherman and M47) reconditioning operations to a 15,000 sq.m. area in Piacenza.


Construction of the first civilian quarry-construction site vehicle, the Dumper BM1, which was quickly taken up by the largest public works constructors for use in earthworks, tunnels, viaducts and hydroelectric plants. The company’s facilities were expanded over the next ten years and the range of vehicles was broadened to include dumper and mixers models.


ASTRA moved to its current 140,000 sq.m. industrial complex. Over a ten year period, various models were produced from the BM12 – BM16 – BM18 – BM19 to the BM20 – BM21 – BM22 – BM25 and the BM35 Dumper.


Design started on the BE8440 and BE10660 crane chassis. Continuing research to satisfy its clients’ requirements leads to the creation of the SERIE300.


ASTRA takes part in the PARIS-DAKAR race with the BM309 achieving brilliant results in subsequent races. The Dumper range is updated to include the BM501 with automatic or manual transmission.


ASTRA is taken over by IVECO.


The new SERIE6000 is launched and later updated by the SERIE6500, a more technologically-advanced range equipped with a fibreglass cabin.


The old BM logo is replaced by HD - Heavy Duty ASTA celebrates its 50th anniversary. 25,000 vehicles manufactured and sold across the world. The HD7 series is launched; an extremely wide range with two-, three- and four-wheel drive axles with full or partial traction, and engines sizes from 340 Hp to 520 Hp.


The range is enhanced with the addition of an automatic gearbox model, the first quarry-construction site vehicle to use this type of transmission. The 28 and 40 ton Dumpers complete the special world-renowned series of vehicles.


The company’s professionalism at all levels, the close cooperation between the company and the user, the continuous process of technical and technological updates and its quality control procedures are at the heart of ASTRA's current success, securing its solid and lucrative presence in the second millennium.
The year 2000 is extremely important for ASTRA: the HD7 vehicles are complemented by the new HD7/C range which, as well as introducing numerous, important innovations also sees the introduction of the new IVECO Cursor engines (EURO 3). Thanks to the experience it gained in the design and construction of specific worksite vehicles, ASTRA faces a new challenge: The new ADT Articulated Dump Trucks are unveiled at the SAIE International Building Exhibition held in October. There are two models: the ADT25 and the ADT30, with 25 and 30 tons of payload respectively. With the new ADTs, ASTRA offers the most complete range of vehicles to worksite transport operators

• 2003

On the 1st January, ASTRA takes over the company SIVI, a historical, highly-specialized company producing vehicles for the transportation of exceptional loads and already an IVECO partner since 1982. The entire range of SIVI vehicles is approved for total loads up to 540 tons and is built using IVECO chassis.
This is also an important year for the company’s certification. The certification already awarded in 1997 is upgraded to include the quality management system under UNI ENI ISO 9001-2000 Standard. In December, ASTRA VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI S.p.A. also receives ISO 14001:1996 certification for its environmental management system.

• 2004

The Articulated Dumper Truck range is enhanced with two new models for payloads of 35 tons and 40 tons: the ADT35 and the ADT40.
Born from an exclusive project, with solutions patented by ASTRA VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI S.p.A., these new models are equipped with Iveco Cursor 13 engines. Their excellent performance makes them state-of-the-art in their field.

• 2005

The new range of HD8 civilian use vehicles are launched, following on the success of the earlier HD7 and HD7/C.

• 2008

2008 is a rich year for product development: the HD8 is equipped with the new cabin suspension for improved comfort and a more striking look and, at the same time, the new special HHD (Heavy Heavy Duty) version is born for exceptionally heavy tasks. The ASTRA range of Rigid Dumpers - RD28, RD32 and RD40 - is completed with the new and imposing RD50 model, unveiled for the first time in March at the SAMOTER exhibition in Verona, while the ADTs are further developed to include a unique electronic system across the complete range as well as a new front suspension system for the ADT 25 and the ADT30.

• 2010

ASTRA VEICOLI INDUSTRIALI S.p.A. is awarded SGS Safety Certification. The new model HHD is presented at the Bauma fair in Munich: the design and the main components of the HD8 series are perfectly merged in a vehicle where research and technical solutions have been driven towards reliability and capability to perform in any application, from the oil and gas sector to heavy transportation in general.

• 2011

Launch of the new Astra HD9 series first in €5 and then in €3 markets, renewed both from a functional and an esthetic point of view. The cab, Trakker-derived, has undergone an important restyling though maintaining the “family feeling” with the previous series through some esthetic solutions. The new series represents for Astra a sea change, because, besides the increased driving comfort, it abandons the historical fiberglass cab structure for a steel made cabin. Some important elements of HD8 series, such as frame or cab suspensions, have been maintained in the new series, integrated by further improvements to the cinematic chain and the electrical and hydraulic system. The brand new Rigid Dumper RD40 is presented with is new style in world preview in March at the Samoter in Verona.