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Voxan is a French motorcycle manufacturer established in Issoire, France, in 1995. 

Initiated by Jacques Gardette, the project was to build the first French motorcycle company in the global market involving different partners.

Alain Chevallier designed the chassis, while Sodemo Moteurs focused on the engine. The first prototype was shown in 1997, and the first production model released in 1999.

All Voxan motorcycles use the same engine, a 72°, 996 cc V-twin.

History

Founded by Jacques Gardette in 1995, and financially backed by the Dassault Group in 1996, Voxan set out to become the first French motorcycle manufacturer in the modern era. In 1999, the first model, the limited production Roadster, was delivered to dealerships and sold exactly 50 units. The company then launched the Café Racer model in 2000, and the Scrambler model a year later. Although Voxan had garnered support for its products within France, the company continued to struggle against the established Japanese and Italian brands. In June 2002, Didier Cazeaux and Société de Développement et de Participation bought Voxan to ensure its continuity, and production restarted on April 1, 2003. The Street Scrambler model was released in 2003, and the Scrambler and Black Magic models in 2004. Voxan opened its 23rd dealership, and its first in Luxembourg in May, 2005. In October, 2007, Voxan had an initial public offering onEuronext, with both Sodemo Moteurs, and Fortune Terres Luxembourg considering takeover bids.

On December 22, 2009, Voxan was forced into liquidation, and is now a subsidiary of the Monaco-based Venturi Automobiles. Upon acquisition Voxan's manufacturing department ceased production, and its engineering staff were relocated to Venturi's headquarters inFontvieille, Monaco. In June 2010, Venturi announced Voxan's new eco-friendly corporate plan, evolving the creation of an electric motorcycle by 2013.

Models

Former models

Electric Bike

There was a point in time when the Voxan Wattman represented the future of electric motorcycles. It was a mesmerizing prototype that unveiled at the 2013 Paris Motorcycle Show with promises of producing 200 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to hit 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

The Wattman dream is now defunct because the company behind the ambitious motorcycle has decided to drop the project altogether.

Gildo Pastor, the same man who acquired niche car brand Venturi, made a similar acquisition of Voxan in 2010 with promises to revive the brand and turn it into a premium electric motorcycle company. 

Pastor, himself had to go through the death of his mother and his own personal health issues. The two events are rumored to have been the death knell for the ambitious Wattman project.

It is a little sad to think that a bike that had so much promise and was actually close to completion would get the rug pulled from under it in the last minute.