Mego (motorbikes)
Encyclopedia
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 single wheel placed in the back). First brand name used was Nigo, after the name of Nikos Gorgolis, the company founder.
In 1962 it was partly acquired by MEBEA
and was renamed Mego (from MEBEA and Gorgolis), introducing "conventional" light three-wheel trucks. In 1967 the total company ownership was restored to the Gorgolis family, retaining the Mego name. Since then Mego has designed and built a large number of 50cc moped and motorcycle types and light 50cc three-wheel trucks, using mainly Sachs engines, as well as bicycles. An 125cc motorcycle model was also produced since 1968. Its moped and motorcycle models, featuring innovative designs, included the 50S series, the EK, the Libra, the Viva and the particularly innovative GP50 Carrera. Its products were fairly popular in Greece (also purchased by authorities such as Hellenic Post, Police and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization), with some exports also made, mostly to Holland. The company faced problems in the late 1980s, mainly due to competition by used imports. Motorcycle production ceased in 1988 but the company remained in operation as Mego until 1992, servicing its products with parts, etc. Subsequently, it was renamed Gorgolis S.A., focusing on import and distribution of motorcycles.
Since 1992 the company also branched in a new venture, creating subsidiaries in Japan, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and China, marketing and selling motorcycles. The brand Nipponia was established (as a reference to Japanese-style excellence) for a series of Greek-designed, Chinese-built motorcycles sold in several countries. A world headquarters of Nipponia was subsequently established in Athens
responsible for design, engineering, marketing and quality control for motorcycles built in Shanghai
, China
. Its latest range is designed by Sotiris Kovos
(designer of the Toyota Yaris
and other Toyota models) and currently marketed in Europe.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
light vehicle manufacturer, based in Trikala
Trikala
Trikala is a city in northwestern Thessaly, Greece. It is the capital of the Trikala peripheral unit, and is located NW of Athens, NW, of Karditsa, E of Ioannina and Metsovo, S of Grevena, SW of Thessaloniki, and W of Larissa...
. 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 single wheel placed in the back). First brand name used was Nigo, after the name of Nikos Gorgolis, the company founder.
In 1962 it was partly acquired by MEBEA
MEBEA
MEBEA was an important Greek vehicle manufacturer, producer of light trucks, passenger automobiles, motorcycles, motorbike engines, agricultural machinery and bicycles....
and was renamed Mego (from MEBEA and Gorgolis), introducing "conventional" light three-wheel trucks. In 1967 the total company ownership was restored to the Gorgolis family, retaining the Mego name. Since then Mego has designed and built a large number of 50cc moped and motorcycle types and light 50cc three-wheel trucks, using mainly Sachs engines, as well as bicycles. An 125cc motorcycle model was also produced since 1968. Its moped and motorcycle models, featuring innovative designs, included the 50S series, the EK, the Libra, the Viva and the particularly innovative GP50 Carrera. Its products were fairly popular in Greece (also purchased by authorities such as Hellenic Post, Police and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization), with some exports also made, mostly to Holland. The company faced problems in the late 1980s, mainly due to competition by used imports. Motorcycle production ceased in 1988 but the company remained in operation as Mego until 1992, servicing its products with parts, etc. Subsequently, it was renamed Gorgolis S.A., focusing on import and distribution of motorcycles.
Since 1992 the company also branched in a new venture, creating subsidiaries in Japan, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and China, marketing and selling motorcycles. The brand Nipponia was established (as a reference to Japanese-style excellence) for a series of Greek-designed, Chinese-built motorcycles sold in several countries. A world headquarters of Nipponia was subsequently established in Athens
Athens
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...
responsible for design, engineering, marketing and quality control for motorcycles built in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Its latest range is designed by Sotiris Kovos
Sotiris Kovos
Sotiris Kovos is a Greek automobile designer born in Athens in 1965. He studied in Greece and the United Kingdom and became known after his design of Toyota Yaris, introduced in 1999. He is also responsible for a number of concept cars as well as the Lexus SC300 and Lexus SC430 models...
(designer of the Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car produced by Toyota since 1999. Between 1999 and 2005, some markets received the same vehicles under the Toyota Echo name...
and other Toyota models) and currently marketed in Europe.