Aixam
Born: 1983
Nationality: French
Anybody who goes to European motor shows knows that substantial space is allocated to so-called "microcars", mostly French, which are never seen on Irish roads. Effectively the original "smart" car, they're mostly 2-seaters with speed limited, and in many countries can be driven without car licences.
Aixam controls 40 percent of the market. Its roots go back to 1975 when the Arola Type 11 was introduced by a Lyons-based entrepreneur. Essentially a motorised tricycle with handlebars and 2-stroke 3hp power, it had a rudimentary roof and open sides. Top speed was about 40 km/h.
By 1977 the Super Pratique pick-up version appeared with possibly the shortest load bed in pick-up history. A year later the tricycle became the Type 14 quadricycle, with a steering wheel, a 50cc engine, better stability and more street cred.
In 1980, fully closing clear perspex doors made the angular but quaintly attractive machine a true saloon - Type 18 had a 125cc engine. A year later a completely new body let the maker add headlights - replacing what were little more than enlarged sidelights.
The company grew, absorbing another model from a competing brand, the Minoto. However, when flashing indicators were added in 1982, they also signalled financial problems for Arola. The company went bankrupt in 1983, soon after it had set up its main plant in Aix-les-Bains.
In the same year, a new company was set up from the ashes of Arola, and the Aixam brand was born. Its first car was the 1984 325D, with a top speed of 45km/h. Again, it was a "no licence" car. In 1985, the range was expanded with the TQM, which did need a car licence and could reach 75km/h. In 1987, a more highly-specced GL version was added, and two years later a range of commercial TQMs were introduced with 500cc diesel engines.
All engines were air-cooled until 1991 when Aixam developed the first 2-cylinder water-cooled diesel power unit.
A year later the company set up a subsidiary, Mega, to drive a very different road, so to speak. These were powerful sports cars, bred for competition, have enjoyed considerable success, including a second place in the Paris-Dakar event of 2000. The original Mega Track was powered by a 385hp Mercedes V12 engine.
Aixam's 1997 Revolution evolved into the new millennium as the Evolution. In that year EU legislation was aligned with French legislation for no-licence vehicles, resulting in significant extra production volumes.
In 2002, the base vehicle was made much tougher, and a pick-up and van were added. The Mega name was used in 2003 for a range of light commercials. In 2004, the first 4-door Aixams were introduced, but there has been little demand for them.
The current core model is the Revolution Series 7 - there is also a cute cabriolet called the Scouty. Around 12,000 vehicles a year are produced and, even if we don't see many in Ireland, they are popular and increasingly visible in Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Lithuania.
BEST CAR: Presumably the current Series 7
WORST CAR: Not known
WEIRDEST CAR: The first 4-wheel Arola was "cute-weird"