New-Map
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle and automobile manufacturing |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Paul Martin |
| Defunct | 1956 |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
| Products | Motorcycles, microcars, delivery tricycles |
New-Map was a French company initially focused on producing motorcycles before diversifying into small automobiles and delivery transport vehicles. The enterprise was established by Paul Martin, who inherited the bicycle manufacturing business founded by his father, Joseph Martin, in the late 1800s. The firm operated out of Lyon from 1920 until 1956.
Motor-bikes
The motorcycles produced by New-Map were powered by engines obtained from specialized manufacturers such as AMC, Blackburne, J.A.P., MAG, and Ydral.
Cars
Around 1938–1939, New-Map created roughly 90 units of the Baby microcar—a small, straightforward two-seater with open-top bodies and driven by 100 cc Sachs engines. Production ceased during World War II but recommenced in 1946 to address postwar market needs, now utilizing a 125 cc Aubier-Dunne powerplant. The vehicle's design remained similar to the prewar version, with a front grille influenced by Matford. In 1947, manufacturing shifted to Clermont-Ferrand, and the model was renamed the Rolux. Engine options expanded to include 125cc and subsequently 175cc Ydral units. In total, approximately 300 cars were produced.
Delivery tricycles
Between 1952 and 1974, New-Map produced about 3,000 Solyto three-wheeled delivery vehicles. Initially, these utilized a 125cc Ultima engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission engaged via a kickstart lever. In 1960, the Solyto adopted a 125cc Sotecma engine featuring pull-rope ignition and a proprietary belt-driven torque converter that replaced the conventional gearbox. Due to supply difficulties in 1964, New-Map engineered its own 125cc engine incorporating components from Gnome et Rhone D4 alongside custom-made parts and an innovative CDI ignition system—making the Solyto the first production vehicle equipped with fully electronic ignition. This power unit maintained the belt-driven torque converter and originally used pull-starting before introducing a Dynastart starter-generator available in forward-only or reversible configurations. The reversing Dynastart enabled equal top speeds in both directions, marking the first Solyto model with reverse capability. Additionally, this vehicle was manufactured under license in Spain by Delfín.
References
- Walter Zeichner: Kleinwagen International. Motorbuch-Verlag. Stuttgart 1999. .
- Jacques Rousseau und Jean-Paul Caron: Guide de l'automobile française. Solar, Paris 1988, .