'You see them everywhere' was the slogan adopted by Bedford when
advertising its commercial vehicles in the 1930s and it held true for
many decades. The company set out to produce reliable vehicles at an
economic price. Catering to the small trader with its 30cwt and 2 ton
trucks, and 6cwt and 10/12cwt vans, the company was one of the leading
manufacturers within its first seven years. During the war Bedford
produced more than 250,000 lorries for the armed forces, such as the
15cwt 'pneumonia wagons' and the more solid 3-tonners. With a return to
peacetime conditions, Bedford was able to produce new vehicles which it
had been unable to launch during the war but regained market supremacy
by 1947, when the company produced its 500,000th truck - the first
British manufacturer to reach this figure. Bedford entered the market
for heavier vehicles in 1950 and its one millionth truck was produced in
1958. Two years later the first of the TK range was announced and the
concept of cab ahead of engine was introduced. This basic chassis layout
has been followed ever since. The changes of design, use and loads
carried in the course of 50 years of steady progress are illustrated in
this book, which proves the truth of the slogan, 'You see them
everywhere'.
