Avello S.A. Gijon 1940 - 1987

 

Introduction

At the beginning, on 1 June 1940, Alfredo Avello starts construction activities for machines with the name Avelland Company SL.



On 20 october in 1955 the Company entered as Socio Verghera Meccanica, based of the Castro Casina Samarate, Italien Motorcycle. The production begins in Gijon.

At the initiative of a Basque industrial engineer, Alfredo Avello, who was for ten years machine tools manufacturer after acquisition of the business in this branch that already previously operated in the production market.

The company began the production of two wheelers as a company licensed by MV (Meccanica Verghera) Agusta in 1966. Avello produced 50cc & 72cc Italian MV Agusta motorcycles under the name of the motorcycle manufacturer MV Augusta from 1966 till 1973.

On 9 March 1970 the capital expands and enters the corporate structure, with a share of 50% from the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG and Avello S.A. became a Spanish subsidiary of the motorcycle brand Puch. It has the full leadership of the company on April 28, 1978.

The production of Puch two wheeled vehicles ended in 1987.

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Production

In 1966, MV Avello within its range of Italian license, is making a moped road: the "Piles", however, bearing the mark "matrix" MV Agusta are taking, causes responsible for the Asturian factory arising seek new perspectives, according to his understanding of the Spanish market technology partners.

In the late sixties, Avello began to distance himself from MV Augusta, more interested in developing large multi-cylinder motorcycles four times, which continue to evolve lighter, simpler and cheaper rebound better suited to the Spanish market . So Avello contacted the Steyr-Daimler-Puch, one of the largest Austrian industrial groups, which among other things, manufactured for years an interesting range of mopeds and light motorcycles with great success.

On March 9, 1970 the capital expands and enters the corporate structure, with a share of 50%, the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG which it will take Addres Company on April 28, 1978. Is Trivel Borrasca Puch, the first model in a series of machines, technology and Austrian name but Spaniards own models will be for many initiation the world of two wheels.

The Trivel Borrasca is a road moped engine employs an Austrian origin on the frame adapted from the 1967 M50 moped. This engine, forced cooling and 3 speeds fist, is an VSD engine that delivers 2,9 bhp. Considered Very  rialible at the time.








This first model Trivel Borrasca would unfold shortly after the Trivel Borrasca Super and Trivel Plus Terral with 4 speed by foot most likely  for terrain instead to use a jeep.

Also appear on Trivel Coronado with 3 speeds first, later, in 1972, envolve the "Coronado", with 4 speed by foot.

Prices are €998 and €1090 euro`s respectively.

In 1972, the market launch new motorcycles: the Carabela Deluxe the Coronado and the Minicross being one of the great successes of the brand, with several versions over the years, presented in the hall of Barcelona.


The press then saw the MINICROSS in a test in November of that year, which is "the preferred vehicle for expansion and rural areas, an essential tool for its ease of operation and low maintenance cost. It also commends their lines and robustness.

Throughout the year 1972, advertising the new brand increases, while it disappears completely MV, and the Catalogue 1972. Alello Puch already has its own separate space of the MV range in the catalog 1973 and more models are added.

Advertised in this 1972 catalog, 4 models of Puch and a solo MV (Piles), the Carabel Deluxe and Coronado as models of road, and the Minicross 50 and Dakota MC X -50 as field models, worth respectively €1020, €1114, €1310 euro`s, and Dakota priceless yet.

Initially designed for the American market, model Dakota MC X-50 in November 1972

1972

1973 - Terrain version

1973 - Off-Road version

Manufactured without beacon or pilot and color differences regarding the Spanish version, which will begin its journey begins throughout 1973. It is a rare model 50cc. without bottom bracket, with 4,9CV. and maximum speed of over 70km / h, has no legal consideration moped in Spain, so for road use must be registered and requires driving license.

The '72 Motorcycling magazine said in his evidence that "has an amazing power to be a small mountain bike". He also notes that "the deposit is 5cm Higher than the front seat, becoming uncomfortable in some circumstances". 

The Minicross 50 with the same gastank as the Dakota is the commonly called for nickname "cascahuevos" by the drivers of  for that discomfort in some circumstances".

After a lot of complains, they designed a new gas tank, due to confort and trail driving. 

In 1973, in the exposition hall of Barcelona, Puch shows two new engines, which will be the basis for the growth of the brand. The 50cc, N50s (38x43), four speed and the 6C 72,2cc, six-speed.

At this time, the technical director of the brand announces the official participation in motocross championships in various displacements: 250cc. Winning Capapey with Bultaco, the Puch finishes in 6th place in the hands of Jesus Saiz, ahead of the only Montesa classified (7th). All other motorcycles to15th place are Bultaco.

1973

In this year 1973, manufacturing 10.000 units Minicross Puch factory in Natahoyo, an event that was reflected in this historical picture is also celebrated. It is noteworthy that two people in photography in 2011 after 38 years of this event, still working on Suzuki, one of them is the mane, being now the most seniority in the factory.

                                   

2013

                                                

Carabela Super and Special Caravel with the engine of the Minicross 50: In the catalog of 1974 the Puch MV no longer appears and unfolded the model Carabela Deluxe in two.

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Factory

Natahoyo, Gijon

The factory was located in the industrial district of Natahoyo, a neighborhood with a large diversified companies at that time, as was the factory Moreda, Duro Felguera Shipyard, Shipyards Riera, Shipyards Juliana, The Brewery.

This is Avello in the 70's, Its the extent of the enclosure with cars parked from the workers. The building is in the foreground belonged to the factory, and all the side that is seen with the railway back to the end of that white roof that looks at the bottom right. 

The entrance was located between the white house that looks to the left and houses. Next to the houses that have gray roof building was the "Noble Ground".

This is the main street.


The truck is on the right, being loaded with bikes with a hoist that is hanging on the green beam across the street. 

Here are the two assembly lines in the early 80's. On the left the small assembly line only Minicross, Ranger and Condor model are mounted there up to a 100 vehicles per day, in two shifts of eight hours. 

The center, the big assembly lines , riding the other models of the time at a rate between 200 and 250 daily.


When launching the two assembly lines work, had to move the welding and piping to other facilities outside the enclosure, so they took him to some ships to neighborhood Tremañes.

Zink and chrome excellent bathrooms were also set in the plant.
 

Avello, S.A. - Gijon (Espanã)
Apertado 541
Natahoyo Asturias 

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Puch - Suzuki

1983 - 1984

1983

Gijon company experienced a new crisis in 1983 when Puch sold its two-wheeled production plant to Italian Piaggio. Part of the Vespa matrix. Avello SA signed shortly after, in March 1984, a technology transfer agreement with Japan's Suzuki, who took a minority stake in the company between 1983 and 1985. In September 1987, Suzuki became the address of the company and the following year they took 100% of its capital.

At the beginning of 1983, Puch Austria signed a contract with Suzuki in order to produce Japan-designed motorbikes and scooters in Europe. 

There were two Puch factories in Europe, in Austria (main factory) and a filial in Gijon (Asturias) in Northern Spain called Avello. At the Spanish factory, Puch produced 50 cc mopeds and 75 cc cross motorbikes called Cobra and Ranger TT80. These were a success for 15-16 year youngsters with an A-1 driving license (maximum 75 cc).


1984

On March 16, 1984 the contract of technology transfer from Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd Japan registers Avello SA and March 21 of that year again wide capital spending Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. to own the remaining 36.57% and the participation of Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG at 63.43%.

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Suzuki

1987 - Present

Suzuki Motor España

Puch sold to the Piaggio Austria's Puch part, and in 1988 September 1 Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd Purchased all the Avello Company and changed the name toSuzuki Motor España. Suzuki assumes the direction of the company and in February 1988 to acquire the entire shareholding of the same, changing the 
July 8 1988 the name to Suzuki Motor Spain SA. Puch became a part of the Piaggio Group and Suzuki bought the Spanish filial. Under a period of two years Piaggio let Suzuki use up all the old material from Puch. During those years Suzuki produced the Suzuki Condor 50 a Puch Condor III 50 clone, a popular trail moped in Spain.

In 1989 Suzuki Motor España (the new name of the Avelló factory) offered new 50 cc models: Maxi, Lido and DR Big.

The Lido 80 and 125 cc models were assembled there. The alliance between Suzuki and Puch gave its first fruit made in Spain in 1984: the Lido Vario (Suzuki model code CP). This scooter was sold in Europe with different names: Puch Lido Vario, Suzuki Lido Vario and Puch-Suzuki Lido Vario 75 in Spain. The 75 cc was made for the A-1 Spanish market. At other markets like France and German it was called 80 (rounded up, but actually 75 cc). This engine was made in Japan and the model was an evolution of the Japanese Suzuki Shoot 50 (1982-1983). 

Felip Millet Busquets was Suzuki Spain designer until 1994, and he was the designer of most of the Puch-Suzuki models made in Avelló under more than twelve years. His most important designs were the Puch Condor, Suzuki Address, and the DR Big 50.

He was also designer for Mototrans-Ducati (Twin, Vento, Senda, Pronto, Forza) and designer and Prototypes & Racing manager at Montesa (Mini 50, Scorpion 50, Brio 50). Felip's son Pablo is now Yamaha styling designer in Spain. 

Maxi
The new Maxi is similar to the old Puch Maxi, a moped with automatic transmissionpowered by Franco Morini engine with CVT transmission and secondary chain drive. 

Suzuki Lido 50
The Suzuki Lido 50 was, at last, Spanish. According to the Spanish law mopeds must weight less than 66 kg and they must have pedals in order to convert them in a bicycle when out of petrol. There's also a rule (in order to protect the Spanish moped industry against Derbi, Piaggio and Moto Vespa from the Italian industry).The transmission may only have up to four speeds. For this reason the Lido 50 has the pedals, and it didn't have any battery, starter engine or back-carrier. In order to end up under the weight limit of 66 kg. After the purchase, the user added to his Lido 50 the three elements mentioned (in Spain they say ”they made the law, we made the trick”).

DR Big 50
The third 50 cc vehicle in 1989 was really new model. It was called DR Big 50 inspired by the DR Big 750 (after 800 cc) the single cylinder biggest trail bike in the world at that moment. The engine of the DR Big 50 is a Franco Morini GS with four speeds, and the cylinder, piston and the cylinder head of the first series of the DR Big 50 were made in Spain which resulteded in a poor cylinder and piston quality from.

The Puch Suzuki Lido Vario 75 became the Suzuki Lido 75. The model was competing with Piaggio Vespa PK 75, Peugeot SC 75 (an adaptation of the SX 80 for the Spanish market) and Honda Vision 75 Met-In (an adaptation of the Vision MI 50) and Scoopy 75 (the same adaptation from the 50 model).


1990
Suzuki launched the Lido Style 50 and 75 in black colour. The 50 cc version was unchanged except for the colour, the 75 cc version got even disc brake at the front and digital instrument panel (the first model in Spain).

Suzuki launched even the Minicross 50. This model based on the DR Big (same chassis and engine) but had different plastic details, muffler under the engine and cheap suspension in order to get the lowest price. This model was received very well in the ”deep Spain” by farmers etc. The Minicross 50 is still in the Suzuki catalogue in 2002.

1991

In the beginning of 1991, Garelli went bankrupt and SME lost his manufacturer of the 50 cc Lido engine. It made necessary to advance a new project, Address 50 (Suzuki model code: AH). The production of Address 50 started in January of 1992. The new model was a European version of the Japanese Address with larger dimensions and slightly different engine, made in Italy by Franco Morini. The rear drum brake had a diameter of 120 mm instead of original 110 mm and had different brake shoes. The model sold well in Spain (about 15 000 units), a great success despite of the deep crisis worldwide. The Address 50 had a storage compartment for a helmet under the seat and had a large instrument panel.

1992
The December 29, 1992 Suzuki Motor Spain SA buys 100% of the shares of Santana Automotive SA, which in 1993 renamed Suzuki Manufacturing Spain SA
On June 14 the Capital expands to the current figure, by disbursing additional 1.500.000.000 pesetas by Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd., moving the headquarters of the factory to its current location in the industrial area of Porceyo.

1994 

SME paints the plastics of the Address and offers the Address P (painted) 50 with bright colours.The input of the air box filter was placed outside under the seat, in order to get a more air quality.

Also Address 100 got painted plastics as well as a long seat for two people. The 100 cc engine was manufactured in Japan and a new front with a linked swing arm suspension and a disc brake. The Spanish A-1 driver's licenses don’t permit to ride it. A-2 driver's license and age of 18 is required.

1994
Suzuki launched also the Address DX 50 in 1994. It shared the front with the Address 75 (telescopic suspension and disk brake) and painted plastics.

Suzuki broke the relationship with Franco Morini (actually Morini manufactur a scooter engine based on Suzuki engine) and the production of the Address engine is located at Manzanares (Ciudad Real) in the middle-south of Spain. At this factory, Suzuki made even the transmission for the 4X4 cars like Samurai and Vitara - to be sent to the Santana factory in Linares (Jaén) located in Andalusia in the Southern Spain.

Suzuki made some changes to the DR Big in 1994 and DR W was born. A new chassis made it possible to fit the small crankcase liquid-cooled GS 30 Franco Morini engine. Aesthetically, the Suzuki DR W 50 gets a new frontal plastic that give a ”new look”.

1995 

it was time to burry the Suzuki Address and Suzuki Address R (Suzuki code: AP) to be born. The model names were almost identical but the concept was completely different. Address R had   new plastic with the head light in the front shield and a new chassis but the new model didn't turn out the as successful as the previous model. The ”similarities” with the RF 600/900 brings at the end of 1995 a new version called Address RF with new decoration, new wider tires (120/90-10) and a new engine with long crankcase (to adopt big wheels). The same crankcase is actually used by Aprilia for the SR 50 and the new Scarabeo 50 DiTech with 16-inch wheels.

Suzuki Maxi dies in 1995 and born was the Suzuki Suzzy 50 (Suzuki code: NM), a moped with automatic transmission and a curiously designed chassis with twin headlights embracing the petrol tank, space for a helmet under the seat and a large scooter engine. There were two versions of the bike: one with electric starter and turning signals and the other without those luxury items.

Simultaneously SME presents RMX, a 50 cc trail bike designed in Spain powered by the same Japanese engine as the RG Wolf (liquid-cooled and six speeds) but manufactured in Manzanares. The design of RMX is, obviously, inspired by RM cross models. You can see at the brochures that the peddlers have disappeared   and so has the 66 kg limit. The new generation of 50 cc is also designed for two people.

1997 

SME offers only one Address version: Address R with the new large engine. In the scooter zone, the star is Katana 50 (Suzuki code: AW) offered in two versions: Katana 50 AC with the same air-cooled engine as in the Address R and Katana 50 W with liquid-cooled engine. Both models had single disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.

1998 

SME launches a new Katana with ”R” decoration, rear disc brake and 13" rear wheel.

1999 

The Suzuki Address 75 was launched exclusive for the Spanish market. It used the chassis of the Address 50. The front telescopic suspension and the disc brake came from Lido 75 Style. Address 75 had a long seat for two persons. The 75 cc engine was made in Japan. SME produced only 500 units of this model and never made any brochure of this model.

SME offers models like SMX 50, a ”supermotard” based on RMX 50 that appeared in 1999, the Katana series were re-designed in 2000 with single optical halogen headlight instead of double ellipsoidal and the Burgman 125/150 (Suzuki code: UH) - the great white hope for SME in 2002. 

Motor Suzuki Spain, branch of the Japanese constructor, has begun to produce ”real” motorcycles as well. SME has begun to make the GZ Marauder, a custom bike that until now was made only in Japan. The dicreasing sales of scooter and mopeds, products that have been SME's main product, had forced the company to make an effort to compensate the discreasing incomes, causes partly by the increasing insurance rates.
SME sold about half as many units compared to the record year 1999 and lies now at 1995 year's sales level (about 170 000 sold vehicles).

The new project required an investment nearly 1,4 billion pesetas in 2001. SME started the building of GZ Marauder 125 and 250, and even a new 150 cc model in October 2001 at Suzuki's facilities in Gijón.

The Suzuki filial in Spain is planning to produce 36 000 units of the three different Marauder models for the Spanish home market and to 16 export countries. However, that volume is far from the the maximum capacity of the Asturian installation, a factory of 18 000 square meters inaugurated in 1993 and which they can leave annually up to 77 000 vehicles.

2000 

Motor Suzuki Spain reached a number of sales of 16,4 billion pesetas, amount that it

anticipates to duplicate in four years. In June of 2001 began manufacturing vehicles over 50 cc with the production of the first units of Marauder 250, and in February 2002 production of the new model megaescúter Burgman 125 and 150 is released.

Current manufacturing facilities Suzuki Motor Spain in Gijón Polígono industrial estate, dating from 1993. This factory replaced the historic plant that had produced motorcycles for nearly half a century under different brands, different legal entities and shareholdings in the neighborhood El Natahoyo.



Adress:

Suzuki Motor España

Galileo Galilei s/n. Polígono Industrial Porceyo. 
33392 GIJON (Asturias) 

Espanã

1993

2000

2006

And still producing two wheelers...

© Copyright 2017

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