Avello (motorcycle)

Avello SA

File:MV Avello logo.jpg
Company type	Manufacturer
Industry	Motorcycle
Founded	June 1, 1940 (1940-06-01) in Gijón, Asturias, Spain
Founder	Alfredo Avello
Defunct	1988 (1988)
Fate	Acquired by Suzuki
Successor	Suzuki Motor España
Headquarters	Gijón , Spain
Brands	MV Avello Puch Avello Puch-Suzuki

Avello was a Spanish producer specializing in machine tools, motorcycles, and scooters, recognized for manufacturing machines under the MV Agusta and Puch labels. Established by Alfredo Avello in 1940, the company ceased operations in March 2013. Its manufacturing plant was located in the city of Gijón, within the region of Asturias, northern Spain.

MV Avello

File:MV Agusta CC Cassington right.jpg

MV Agusta CC ("Ciento Cindcuenta"), a 150cc four-stroke single introduced in 1960

In June 1940, Basque industrial engineer Alfredo Avello acquired a pre-existing firm situated in Gijón’s Natahoyo district that specialized in machinery and machine tools, subsequently renaming it Avello y Compañía SL.

Since 1949, MV Augusta had been manufacturing machines for the local market in Barcelona under the brand name MV Alpha. During a motorcycle race held in Gijón, Avello engaged with MV’s Spanish representatives and persuaded them to relocate production to his facility. By 1951, the factory began producing its initial models, featuring a 125 cc two-stroke engine. The Italian parent company became involved, leading to the development of a lineup based on 125 and 150 cc engines. These motorcycles were marketed under the MV Avello brand.

To strengthen the brand’s presence in Spain, Count Agusta arranged for factory riders Remo Venturi (125 cc) and Carlo Bandirola (500 cc) to compete during the 1955 Spanish National Championships, including an event hosted locally in Gijón. Riding factory-supported machines, both riders dominated the competition. Starting the following year, motorcycles produced by Avello were branded as MV Agusta rather than MV Avello.

In 1961, the factory diversified its production by manufacturing components for companies such as Authi, Barreiros, Renault, and Vespa, as well as producing machinery intended for export markets.

By 1966, the facility expanded to encompass 22,000 square meters, with 12,000 square meters spread over two or three floors. The workforce numbered approximately 350 employees.

MV models chronology

Engine capacity	1951	1952	1953	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
49 cc																49 Piles
125 cc	125 Turismo
			125 Turismo 4 speed
								125 Pullman Turismo
								125 TR
							125 TRL
								125 SR
150 cc				150 Turismo
			150 Sport
							150 S-18
	150 T-18 colspan=3 style="background: #DDFBFF;" |150 T-18 (second series)
	150 DC
	150 Stella
	150 Stella GT
	150 Narcea
	150 Narcea V
175 CS
235 Deva
300 Nalon

Legend

Two-stroke engine

Four-stroke engine

Additional information

Puch Avello

In the late 1960s, MV shifted its focus from small-displacement motorcycles to larger, multi-cylinder engine models. Meanwhile, lightweight two-stroke motorcycles remained significant within the Spanish market. Avello initiated contact with Steyr-Daimler-Puch, a manufacturer known for mopeds and light motorcycles under the Puch brand. By March 1970, an agreement was finalized, resulting in an increase in Avello's share capital and Steyr-Daimler-Puch acquiring a 50% stake in the company.

Shortly after, the first Puch-branded model was introduced: the Trivel Borrasca. This moped combined the existing piles frame with a Puch engine. Following this, variants such as the Trivel Borrasca Super and Trivel Plus Terral were launched. Between 1970 and 1972, several mopeds were produced alongside MV models, until MV production ceased in 1972.

Starting in 1973, the company expanded its lineup to include Puch models equipped with 50, 75, and 125 cc engines. Production volume grew consistently from 1,525 units in 1970 to more than 38,000 by 1978. That same year, Puch acquired the remaining shares of Avello, gaining full ownership.

Despite strong sales performance, financial difficulties emerged during the 1982–83 fiscal year, with losses exceeding 200 million pesetas. Consequently, Steyr-Daimler-Puch divested its motorcycle manufacturing division to Piaggio, which also owns Vespa.

Suzuki

In 1982, Puch entered into a technology transfer agreement with Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. Amidst ongoing financial challenges, Suzuki acquired a 36% share of the company in 1984 by investing 500 million pesetas. This acquisition faced resistance from three Spanish motorcycle producers—Derbi, Vespa, and Lambretta—who proposed a collaborative initiative for Avello to manufacture components for their vehicles instead of assembling Suzuki products.

The initial product resulting from the Puch-Suzuki partnership was the 75 cc Lido Vario scooter, which began production in 1985. Across Europe, it was marketed under various names including Puch Lido Vario, Suzuki Lido Vario, and Puch-Suzuki Lido Vario 75. This scooter was developed as an advancement of Suzuki's 1982 50 cc model.

By 1988, Suzuki had purchased all remaining shares, becoming the sole proprietor of the Spanish manufacturer and renaming it Suzuki Motor España. Subsequently, production was relocated to Gijón's Porceyo district. However, in 2012 Suzuki announced plans to shut down this facility.