MBK

MBK (pronounced: [ɛm.bœ.kɑ]), a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Company, is a French Scooter manufacturer, based in Rouvroy, Picardy, France. The company was first established in 1923 under the name Motobécane and for many years was France's largest manufacturer of motorcycles. Early models included an in-line four-cylinder side-valve 500cc engine, with unit gearbox and shaft drive. By the 1930s Motobecane was producing a best-selling range of motorcycles and during the immediate post-war years the company diversified into moped production, selling two wheelers under two banners: Motobecane and Mobylette. Following the creation of the MBK brand in the early eighties, scooters became the company's core business. Over the past decade MBK scooters have played a major part in the European scooter sales boom.[citation needed] Market leader in France, MBK is also a best-seller in Italy with significant stakes in the German, Belgian, Swiss, Portuguese, Greek, UK, Irish, Austrian, Spanish and Finnish markets.[citation needed] One of the company's more popular model range is the MBK Booster. It is sold with a 50cc or 125cc motor.