ACOMA
| Company type | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Émile Boussereau |
| Defunct | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou , France |
| Products | Microcars |
ACOMA (Ateliers de Construction de Matériaux) was a French manufacturer specializing in microcar production from 1972 until 1984. The vehicles were conceived by Émile Boussereau from Villeneuve-la-Comtesse. Initial manufacturing took place in Laval between 1970 and 1972, before operations shifted to Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou, close to Angers, where production continued until 1984.
History
In 1970, Émile Boussereau, a mechanic by trade, created the Comtesse following a request from a person with disabilities seeking a compact urban vehicle. Recognizing the concept’s promise, Acoma commenced production of the Mini-Comtesse model from 1972 through 1979.
Models
ACOMA’s microcars qualified under France’s "L-Category", which permitted driving without a conventional license. The company captured approximately 30% of this niche market with six distinct models.
Mini-Comtesse
The Mini-Comtesse represented ACOMA’s most compact offering: a single-occupant three-wheeler equipped with two small front stabilizing wheels. To comply with "L-category" rules, it included a pedal mechanism enabling about one foot of manual propulsion. Its design featured a standard door on one side and a foldable gull-wing door on the opposite side to facilitate parking in confined spaces. The powertrain consisted of a front-mounted, front-wheel-drive Sachs air-cooled 49 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine delivering 3 hp, coupled with a centrifugal clutch and a two-speed transmission lacking reverse gear. Maximum speed reached approximately 20 mph. Production ceased in 1979. Engine options ranged from Saxonette 47 cc units to Motobécane 50 cc variants.
Super Comtesse
Introduced in 1978, the Super Comtesse (type 780) was a four-wheeled model powered by a Motobécane engine. It was later replaced by the Comtesse Berline type 810 in October 1980.
Mini-Comtesse Break
The Break estate version, identified as type 790, debuted in 1979 and offered seating for two along with an expanded cargo space. For safety considerations, its top speed was restricted to .
Comtesse Berline
The Comtesse Berline succeeded the Super Comtesse in 1980 and remained available until 1982.
Mini-Comtesse Sport and Coupé
In the same year as the Berline’s release, two further variants were introduced: the Sport, featuring a targa roof design, and its related Coupé model.
Starlette
Launched in 1982, the Starlette was a larger coupé style vehicle powered by a 49 cc Motobécane engine.
Star
Also appearing in 1982, the Star shared the Starlette’s body but was equipped with an upgraded 125 cc engine.
In culture
French filmmaker Pascal Rabaté included Mini-Comtesse microcars in his movies Les Petits Ruisseaux (2010) and Ni à vendre ni à louer (2011), both shot in the regions of Maine-et-Loire and Loire-Atlantique.