Aixam Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Aixam-Mega

Industry	Automotive microcars
Founded	1983; 42 years ago (1983)
Headquarters	Aix-les-Bains, Savoie , France
Products	Automobile
Production output	18,300 vehicles (2022)
Revenue	€182.9 million (2022)
Net income	€38.5 million (2022)
Owner	Polaris Industries (44%)

Aixam-Mega is a French company that makes small cars called microcars. It is based in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France. The company started in 1983. It began after buying another car company called Arola. In 2013, a US company named Polaris Industries bought Aixam-Mega.

Aixam-Mega: A Look Back

How Aixam Started

Aixam's story began in 1975 with the company Arola. In 1983, Aixam took over Arola. Soon after, in 1984, Aixam launched its first new car, the 325D. The next year, they released the 400D.

The Mega Brand

In 1992, Aixam started a new brand called Mega. Under this brand, they made regular-sized cars. However, by 2002, Mega focused only on small vans and utility vehicles. These vehicles ran on diesel or were electric.

Aixam Cars Today

Today, Aixam makes the A.7xx series of microcars. These cars are similar to the Smart Fortwo. They use diesel engines made by Kubota. A special thing about some smaller Aixam models is their speed limit. They can only go up to 45 kilometers per hour (about 28 miles per hour). This means that in some European countries, you can drive them without a full driving licence. Countries like France, Germany, and Spain allow this.

Driving Aixam Cars in the UK

In the United Kingdom, these cars are seen as a type of quadricycle. This is because of their weight and power. To drive them, you usually need a special B1 driving license. However, since 2013, some low-power Aixam 400 models can be driven by people with an AM license.

Electric Cars and New Steps

In 2006, Mega showed off its electric car, the "Mega City." This happened at the British International Motor Show. Later, in 2009, Aixam-Mega bought parts of the NICE Car Company.

How Aixam Cars Work

Engines and Power

Older Aixam models like the 400, 500, and 500.5 are quite simple. They have had different engines over the years. The diesel models use a small two-cylinder engine from Kubota. This engine is about 400 cubic centimeters. It produces about 4 to 6 kilowatts of power. Some petrol versions used a 505 cubic centimeter engine from Lombardini. These engines had about 20 horsepower. Newer petrol cars use fuel injection.

Steering and Suspension

Aixam cars use a steering system called rack and pinion. This helps you turn the wheels. For a smooth ride, they have MacPherson strut suspension at the front. At the back, they use semi-trailing arms.

Brakes and Transmission

The front wheels have disc brakes with single-piston calipers. The back wheels have drum brakes. These drum brakes also work as the handbrake. The cars use a special type of automatic gearbox called a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). This CVT is made by CVTech-IBC. It helps the car change speeds smoothly. The gearbox and differential unit, which helps power the wheels, are made by an Italian company called COMEX. This system is designed for small city cars or delivery vans. It works best for vehicles with less than 8 horsepower and speeds limited to about 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour).