In 1926 Otto and Wilhelm Maisch formed Maisch&Company. They produced 2 stroke engines and bicycles. I 1932 they expanded to produce scooters and motorcycles using the name Maico.
They bought Champion's design and introduced the Champion/Maico 400. In 1956 they stretched the car and increased the engine size and renamed it the Maico 500. Sales were good but the company could not keep up with demand.
By mid 1958 the Maico 500 had a lot of competitors. They experienced a lot of problems with the front axle associated with the increased length of the chassis. Large numbers of warranty claims forced them to cease production.
Maico resumed motorcycle production. They made dirt bikes as well as street bikes, but by the 1970's Maico dominated the Enduro and Motocross markets. However, by 1958 Maico had to declare bankruptcy and went out of business.
The name lives on in Britain as Maico International and in Germany as Kostler-Maico and Maico-Mannesmann-Werke building electric scooters.
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