It was manufactured by SPA (Società Piemontese Automobili), an Italian car maker that was a subsidiary of Fiat.

While the Pavesi P4/100 artillery tractor was popular and was produced in large numbers, it was considered bulky and the suspension inadequate for rough terrain and Spanish roads.

A request by the Royal Italian Army was placed in 1935 for a new artillery tractor with the specifications that it have four-wheel drive, accept either solid rubber or inflatable tires, a crew of six, be able to climb a 60 degree slope, and have the capacity to tow up to 100mm artillery pieces at 40 km/h across rough terrain.

In 1937 the TLa competed against a design from Breda Meccanica Bresciana and won, so was adopted and renamed the TL.37 with production beginning in October 1937.

24 units were sent to Libya for extended testing in 1938, towing Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 guns and 100-round ammunition trailers, where performance was found to be satisfactory.