Aixam

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Aixam 400

Aixam - Mega is a French automobile manufacturer based in Aix-les-Bains. It was founded in 1983 to make halfcars in the old AROLA factory after that company failed. In 1992 they started making a range of standard sized cars under the Mega brand, but by 2002 this brand was just being applied to a range of microvans.

The company currently produces the Aixam A.7XX series (powered by Kubota diesel engines), a halfcar comparable with the Smart. A notable difference is that some of the smaller models are restricted to just 30 mph and can be driven without a driver's licence in a few countries (not UK).

In Britain they are classified as a quadricycle (quad bike) because of their weight and power output. This requires either a full car licence or a full unlimited capacity motorcycle licence to legally drive them. Because they were brought into UK legislature in a poor fashion they are an anomaly – a quad for licence purposes and emission regulations, but a standard car for road tax and insurance purposes. One result of this is despite very green credentials they don't qualify for any UK government tax breaks.

They can be thought of as a sort of modern "2CV", not fast (about 60 mph), economical (often over 90 mpg), and with a surprisingly roomy body made from a strong alloy frame covered with plastic panels (no rust). The low-emissions Kubota engines plus the automatic CVT transmission make them exceptionally "green" vehicles; but it is now possible to get various electric versions.

Aixam-Mega is currently (2005) Europe's largest producer of halfcars and its products are available in the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.