Microcar is a French microcar manufacturer. The company was founded in 1984 as a division of Bénéteau group, a major sailboat manufacturer. Production moved to a new custom-built factory in September 2000. In September 2008, Microcar was acquired by Ligier Automobiles in a deal backed by the Italian private equity firm 21 Investimenti Partners. The merger created Europe's second biggest manufacturer of microcars, and largest maker of quadricycles, or "sans permis" (license-exempt) vehicles. The Microcar and Ligier brands are to retain their separate identities and production facilities. Phillipe Ligier, son of company founder Guy Ligier, serves as CEO of the expanded Ligier Automobiles.

Current Models

Microcar M.Go Electric at the 2008 Paris Motor Show

• Microcar MC City (sold in English-speaking markets as the MC1)
• Microcar MC Campus (also known as MC2)
• Microcar MC Cargo (also known as MC2 Cargo)
• Microcar MC Family (also known as MC2 Family)
• Microcar Sherpa (a small commercial vehicle, based on the Ligier X-Pro)

Since 2006, the long wheelbase version of Microcar's MC Series has been produced under license in Canada by ZENN Motor Company with an electric drivetrain. It is marketed in the U.S. and Canada under the ZENN brand as a "neighborhood electric vehicle"(NEV), with its top speed governed to 25mph. Microcar began distributing the ZENN in Europe during 2007.

At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Microcar introduced the M.Go Electric, an all-new NEV. It is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of 2009.^[1]

Former Models

• Microcar Family Luxe
• Microcar NewStreet
• Microcar Pratic Luxe
• Microcar Virgo 3
• Microcar Virgo Luxe

References

External links

• Microcar website (English)
• UK site (English)
• Microcar website (French)

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