Intended for escort and counterinsurgency missions, the ABI armored vehicle was manufactured by Automecanica Moreni.

In June 1978, the Romanian government expressed their desire to have an armored car based on the ARO 240 vehicle that was equipped with a machine gun.

[4] The armored car, known as the ABI, was also presented to the Romanian Army, but it was rejected and solely used for airport security.

ABI vehicles were used during the Romanian Revolution of 1989, when they were involved in several notable incidents, such as the massacre by USLA troops in front of the Ministry of Defense headquarters.

The armor was made of welded steel plates, 4–10 mm thick, and provided protection only against small caliber bullets and splinters.