ACMA (Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'automobiles)
Encyclopedia
ACMA was founded on 25 November 1950 as Ateliers de construction de motocycles et accessoires in Fourchambault, near Dijon
, France
.
It is remembered for the production of scooter
s and micro cars.
s. In the th completed Vespa
left the ACMA works.
In 1954 production of the 150,000th Vespa was celebrated.
It was also in 1954 that the company modified its name to Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'automobiles.
was presented and production started the same year in the ACMA factory.
From 1957 until 1962 the company manufactured approximately micro cars under licence from Piaggio
.
The growth of the business involved an increase in employment, with the headcount peaking at approximately 2,800 in 1958. This had a major impact on the local economy, as the population of Fourchambault
reached 6,242 in 1958, triggering the construction in the little town of an additional 200 homes along with a kindergarten and a primary school.
By launching its microcars the company tried to compensate for the general slump in scooter sales throughout continental Europe, but it turned out that the micro cars could not compete successfully with rivals such as Citroen
s 2 CV and the Renault 4
. Inventory of unsold vehicles began to build up and production had to be slowed down. ACMA production ceased completely with the closure of the little factory on 31 December, 1962.
Dijon
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
It is remembered for the production of scooter
Scooter
-Vehicles:*Kick scooter, a two-wheeled non-motorized vehicle, primarily a child's play thing, designed to have the rider primarily in the standing position, propelled by a rider pushing off the ground...
s and micro cars.
Scooters
Production started in February 1951 with 20 workers building 200 scooterScooter
-Vehicles:*Kick scooter, a two-wheeled non-motorized vehicle, primarily a child's play thing, designed to have the rider primarily in the standing position, propelled by a rider pushing off the ground...
s. In the th completed Vespa
Vespa
Vespa is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian.The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A...
left the ACMA works.
In 1954 production of the 150,000th Vespa was celebrated.
It was also in 1954 that the company modified its name to Ateliers de construction de motocycles et d'automobiles.
Micro cars
At the Paris Salon in 1957 the Vespa 400Vespa 400
The Vespa 400 is a rear-engined microcar, produced by ACMA in Fourchambault, France, from 1957 to 1961 to the designs of the Italian Piaggio company. Two different versions were sold, "Lusso" and "Turismo".The car made its public debut on 26 September 1957 at a press presentation staged in Monaco...
was presented and production started the same year in the ACMA factory.
From 1957 until 1962 the company manufactured approximately micro cars under licence from Piaggio
Piaggio
Piaggio based in Pontedera, Italy encompasses seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and compact commercial vehicles. As the fourth largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world, Piaggio produces more than 600,000 vehicles annually, with five research and development centers, more than...
.
The growth of the business involved an increase in employment, with the headcount peaking at approximately 2,800 in 1958. This had a major impact on the local economy, as the population of Fourchambault
Fourchambault
Fourchambault is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.-Demographics:At the 1999 census, the population was 4828. On 1 January 2005, the estimate was 4786.-References:*...
reached 6,242 in 1958, triggering the construction in the little town of an additional 200 homes along with a kindergarten and a primary school.
By launching its microcars the company tried to compensate for the general slump in scooter sales throughout continental Europe, but it turned out that the micro cars could not compete successfully with rivals such as Citroen
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
s 2 CV and the Renault 4
Renault 4
The Renault 4, also known as the 4L , is a hatchback economy car produced by the French automaker Renault between 1961 and 1992. It was the first front-wheel drive family car produced by Renault....
. Inventory of unsold vehicles began to build up and production had to be slowed down. ACMA production ceased completely with the closure of the little factory on 31 December, 1962.