Zédel

ZL was a Swiss manufacturer of engines, motorcycles and automobiles with the Société des Moteurs et Branch Automobiles Zedel (ZL ) in France.

Company History

Ernest Zurich ( in German sources Ernst Zürcher ) opened in 1896 in Neuchâtel, a workshop and began in 1897 as the first Swiss entrepreneurs with the production of motorcycle engines. After the first successful sales, he joined on January 4, 1901 Hermann Lüthi together and founded the company Zürcher & Lüthi & Cie SA in Saint- Aubin- Sauges. On March 21, 1902, the company was renamed SA Fabrique de Moteurs et de Machines ZL, as Hermann Lüthi withdrew from the company. 1903 founded a branch in Zurich French Pontarlier to avoid high customs barriers. On June 30, 1905 Zurich closed the plant in Saint- Aubin- Sauges. On November 11, 1907 gave Zurich the lead from the store to the Swiss engineer Samuel Count and began again in Saint- Aubin- Sauges with the production of engines, motorcycles and automobiles. 1908 ended car production in the Swiss factory.

Rolling stock

Automobile

The resulting models were identical in Switzerland to the French models. These were from 1907, the model 8 hp with a four -cylinder engine with 1128 cc and 1908 the model 8/10 hp, also known as 10 hp, also with a four-cylinder engine and either 1693 cc or 1791 cc capacity. The open bodies offered as Phaeton space for two people and a Double Phaeton space for four people.

A car of this brand is on display at the Musée de l'automobile de la Fondation Pierre Gianadda in Martigny.

Engines and motorcycles

First, four-stroke engines were produced for motorcycles, which were sold as OEM engines to motorcycle manufacturers in Germany, England, France and Austria. Among them were single-cylinder engines with 211 cc and 240 cc for NSU. Later, motorcycles and motor tricycles were produced.

Engine supplies to other automakers

Engine deliveries took place at Alcyon, Egg, Seebacher engineering and Yaxa.

Brand name

The engines were marketed as Zurich. The brand name for vehicles produced in Switzerland was ZL, for vehicles from French production Zedel. This is an invented word and has been from the initials of the two founders ( Z & L ) was formed.