FAMEL
FAMEL - Fabrica de Produtos Metalicos Lda stood as one of Portugal’s leading moped manufacturers from the 1960s through the 1980s.
History
Established in Águeda during the late 1940s by a trio of partners, FAMEL began by producing rims for bicycles and mopeds before moving into full moped production in 1952. Throughout its operational years until 1994, the company introduced over 30 different models, incorporating engines from multiple suppliers, with Zündapp being a prominent contributor. The company's inaugural model, the Utilitária, equipped with a 2-speed Pachancho engine, was launched in 1952. Its final offering came in 1994 with the Famel Electric scooter.
FAMEL gained early recognition with the release of the Foguete in 1957, which featured a Jlo 3-speed engine and presented a contemporary design that stood out against rivals such as Cruzador. Nevertheless, following Cruzador’s introduction of the technologically advanced Andorinha Asa d'Ouro in 1959, production of the Foguete ceased. The XF-17 model (produced between 1975 and 1994) became FAMEL’s most successful product—a 50cc moped with a 5-speed transmission inspired by Suzuki’s Stinger T125, offering strong performance for its class.
The company’s market position weakened due to increasing car ownership in Portugal and intense competition from European and Japanese imports, which ultimately led to financial strain and bankruptcy.
A significant milestone for FAMEL was the creation of the world’s first electric scooter, the Famel Electric (Electron), developed in 1993 through collaboration with EFACEC. Although production was limited and primarily supplied to France’s La Poste, this innovation preceded Peugeot’s introduction of the Scoot'elec by one year. Production ended in 1994, and the company was officially declared bankrupt in 2002.
Famel Reborn
Following its bankruptcy declaration in 2002, FAMEL experienced a revival in 2014 focused on electric mobility solutions. This resurgence led to the development of new models, culminating in 2022 with two electric prototypes inspired by the original XF-17 design. A commercial rollout is anticipated in 2024.
