MEBEA
Encyclopedia
MEBEA was an important Greek
vehicle manufacturer, producer of light trucks, passenger automobiles, motorcycles, motorbike engines, agricultural machinery and bicycles.
in 1960 by the merger of two companies assembling motorbikes since 1954, and its initials stand for Μεσογειακαί Επιχειρήσεις Βιομηχανίας, Εμπορίου και Αντιπροσωπειών (Messogiakai Epiheiriseis Biomihanias, Emporiou kai Antiprosopeion - Mediterranean Enterprises for Industry, Commerce and Representations). It grew to be a significant Greek company with two factories in the north of Athens.
Its most successful products were light three-wheeler thucks with 50 cc Zundapp
engines, that became a common sight all over the country for almost three decades and were exported (in commercial and passenger variants) to Asian markets. Its mopeds and motorcycles (models including the Junior, Apollon and Hermes) mostly used Zundapp
engines as well as MEBEA's own (built under Minarelli licence), and some were used, among others, by the Greek Postal Service and the Telecommunications Organization.
Apart from the previously mentioned vehicles that were of its own development (MEBEA technology was also employed by another Greek motorcycle and three-wheeler manufacturer, Mego
), the company cooperated with Reliant
of Britain
, starting licence production of the latter's TW9 heavier three-wheeler truck in 1970 and Robin three-wheel passenger car in 1974, while the MEBEA Fox automobile was presented as a joint development.
In addition to the motorized vehicle construction mentioned above, other activities during MEBEA history included motorbike engine production (on Italian
designs) for use in its lighter models as well as for export, and the operation of the bicycle division producing a range of bicycle models.
, the Farma by MAVA-Renault
, and others that appeared later. The Fox was originally designed and built in prototype form by MEBEA itself on modified Reliant Kitten
basis, but the final development for type certification was done in collaboration with Reliant
in order to bypass the difficulties imposed by Greek law for a "passenger car" production permit.
The company faced problems in the early 1980s when certain Asian markets were lost, but the final blow came when Greek law stopped 'favoring' light passenger-utility vehicles, essentially killing the Fox (along with about half a dozen similar Greek automobiles) which until then had accomplished modest sales, reaching about 3000 units. In 1983 production of the Fox was terminated (it then started in Britain, though, by Reliant
itself), and soon MEBEA, a company associated with a wide variety of light vehicles that had almost become a part of Greek culture, ceased to exist.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
vehicle manufacturer, producer of light trucks, passenger automobiles, motorcycles, motorbike engines, agricultural machinery and bicycles.
Activities
MEBEA was founded in AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in 1960 by the merger of two companies assembling motorbikes since 1954, and its initials stand for Μεσογειακαί Επιχειρήσεις Βιομηχανίας, Εμπορίου και Αντιπροσωπειών (Messogiakai Epiheiriseis Biomihanias, Emporiou kai Antiprosopeion - Mediterranean Enterprises for Industry, Commerce and Representations). It grew to be a significant Greek company with two factories in the north of Athens.
Its most successful products were light three-wheeler thucks with 50 cc Zundapp
Zündapp
Zündapp was a major German motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1917 in Nuremberg by Fritz Neumeyer, together with the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool manufacturer Thiel under the name "Zünder- und Apparatebau G.m.b.H." as a producer of detonators...
engines, that became a common sight all over the country for almost three decades and were exported (in commercial and passenger variants) to Asian markets. Its mopeds and motorcycles (models including the Junior, Apollon and Hermes) mostly used Zundapp
Zündapp
Zündapp was a major German motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1917 in Nuremberg by Fritz Neumeyer, together with the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool manufacturer Thiel under the name "Zünder- und Apparatebau G.m.b.H." as a producer of detonators...
engines as well as MEBEA's own (built under Minarelli licence), and some were used, among others, by the Greek Postal Service and the Telecommunications Organization.
Apart from the previously mentioned vehicles that were of its own development (MEBEA technology was also employed by another Greek motorcycle and three-wheeler manufacturer, Mego
Mego (motorbikes)
Mego was a Greek light vehicle manufacturer, based in Trikala. It started business in 1947 producing 3-wheel utility bicycles to be followed in 1951 by motorized three-wheel utility vehicles with 50-100cc engines and an unconventional layout...
), the company cooperated with Reliant
Reliant
Reliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
of Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, starting licence production of the latter's TW9 heavier three-wheeler truck in 1970 and Robin three-wheel passenger car in 1974, while the MEBEA Fox automobile was presented as a joint development.
In addition to the motorized vehicle construction mentioned above, other activities during MEBEA history included motorbike engine production (on Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
designs) for use in its lighter models as well as for export, and the operation of the bicycle division producing a range of bicycle models.
Development and fate of the Fox model
In 1979 MEBEA introduced the Fox light utility vehicle, in line with contemporary Greek 'fashion' for such vehicles like the Pony by NamcoNamco (automobiles)
NAMCO is a Greek vehicle manufacturer, a creation of the Kontogouris Brothers who have been in the automotive industry business since the 1950s.- History :...
, the Farma by MAVA-Renault
MAVA-Renault
MAVA Company was the Greek importer of Renault automobiles. In 1979, it decided to enter the car-production business introducing a passenger-utility car, a type then very popular in Greece for tax cetagorization reasons...
, and others that appeared later. The Fox was originally designed and built in prototype form by MEBEA itself on modified Reliant Kitten
Reliant Kitten
The Reliant Kitten is a small economy car which was manufactured from 1975 to 1982 by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth, England. It has a glass fibre body and an 848 cc all-aluminum inline-four engine, providing economical performance....
basis, but the final development for type certification was done in collaboration with Reliant
Reliant
Reliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
in order to bypass the difficulties imposed by Greek law for a "passenger car" production permit.
The company faced problems in the early 1980s when certain Asian markets were lost, but the final blow came when Greek law stopped 'favoring' light passenger-utility vehicles, essentially killing the Fox (along with about half a dozen similar Greek automobiles) which until then had accomplished modest sales, reaching about 3000 units. In 1983 production of the Fox was terminated (it then started in Britain, though, by Reliant
Reliant
Reliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
itself), and soon MEBEA, a company associated with a wide variety of light vehicles that had almost become a part of Greek culture, ceased to exist.
Motorcycles
Several models were produced, including:- 50-Zundapp 50 cc motorcycle (based on ZundappZündappZündapp was a major German motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1917 in Nuremberg by Fritz Neumeyer, together with the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool manufacturer Thiel under the name "Zünder- und Apparatebau G.m.b.H." as a producer of detonators...
model), produced from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. - Hermes 50 cc motorcycle, produced for a number of years, from 1970.
- Apollon 50 cc motorcycle based on the Hermes, produced for a number of years, from 1970.
- Sport & Super Sport 50 cc motorcycle models.
- Komet 50 cc motorcycle.
- Junior, one of several 50 cc moped models, produced for a number of years, from 1972.
- Europino series of 50 cc mopeds (Under Italian Motron licence) produced 1974-1982.
Light three-wheel trucks (“motorcycle” steering and controls)
- First generation, produced in large numbers, available with or without cabin, 1967-1974.
- Second generation, available with or without cabin, 1974-1977.
- Third generation (model 206), produced in large numbers, available with or without cabin, 1977-1983.
- FL, light truck with trunk in the front, produced for export to Asia, 1971.
Three-wheel trucks (“automobile” steering and controls)
- ST150 light truck with 300 kg payload, 1970-1977.
- Reliant 1200/TW 9B truck with 800 kg payload (ReliantReliantReliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
licence), 1970-1976.
Light three-wheel passenger vehicles (“motorcycle” steering and controls)
- Bingo, produced for export to Asia (assembled in Indonesia and Pakistan), introduced in 1972.
Passenger automobiles
- Reliant Robin three-wheeler automobile (ReliantReliantReliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
licence), 1974-1978. - Fox passenger-utility automobile (based on a MEBEA prototype and developed jointly with ReliantReliantReliant was a British car manufacturer. The company was traditionally based at Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, but in 2001 it moved to nearby Cannock. It ceased manufacturing cars shortly afterwards.-History:...
), 1979-1983.