Mars

Mars was a German motorcycle manufacturer based in Nuremberg. The company was founded in 1873 and produced motorcycles during several separate periods between 1903 and 1958. Its history was interrupted by major political and economic disruptions, including the First World War, the severe inflation of the 1920s, and the Second World War. Mars is chiefly remembered for the Weiße Mars, or White Mars, series, a group of technically distinctive motorcycles designed by Claus Franzenburg. The most notable White Mars machines included the A 20, A 23, MA 25, MA 27, and MA 1000 Sport. The A 20 and related models used an unusual box-section frame extending from the steering head toward the rear wheel. This structure enclosed the transmission and drive chain, while the engine was positioned in a lower subframe. Franzenburg designed the flat-twin engine used in the series, and the unit was manufactured for Mars by Maybach, which was also an aircraft-engine builder. The cylinders were arranged in line with the motorcycle frame, and the engine used a hand-crank starting system and an enclosed primary drive to the transmission. The A 20 was produced from 1920 to 1925 and used a trailing-link front fork. The later MA 1000 Sport appeared in 1928 with a girder fork and an engine lubrication system using recirculating oil. Although the motorcycles acquired the nickname White Mars, examples were also available in colors including red and green. Their enclosed mechanical layout and unconventional frame made them visually and technically distinctive among early twentieth-century motorcycles. Mars's production history did not proceed continuously. Manufacturing was suspended or disrupted during wartime and economic crises, then resumed at different points. The company ultimately ended motorcycle production in 1958. Production of its 50 cc Monza Super Sport was subsequently taken over by Gritzner-Kayser AG, which marketed the model under the Gritzner brand. Mars is therefore best understood as a historic German motorcycle marque rather than the American food company that shares the same name.

Mars was established in Nuremberg in 1873 and later became associated with motorcycle manufacturing. The company produced motorcycles in multiple periods from 1903 through 1958 rather than maintaining uninterrupted production throughout that span. Its manufacturing activity was affected by the First World War, the economic turmoil and hyperinflation of the 1920s, and the Second World War. These events disrupted industrial production and contributed to the intermittent character of the marque's history. Mars's best-known motorcycles were the Weiße Mars models, commonly translated as White Mars. The series was designed by Claus Franzenburg and included the A 20, A 23, MA 25, MA 27, and MA 1000 Sport. The A 20 and its derivatives employed a box-section frame that ran from the headstock toward the rear wheel. Rather than leaving the transmission and drive chain exposed in the conventional manner, the frame enclosed these components. The engine was mounted in a separate lower subframe, producing a highly distinctive mechanical arrangement. Franzenburg also designed the flat-twin engine used in the principal White Mars models. Maybach manufactured the engine for Mars. The cylinders were positioned in line with the frame, and the engine incorporated a hand-crank starting mechanism and an enclosed primary drive to the transmission. The A 20 used a trailing-link front fork and was manufactured from 1920 to 1925. The MA 1000 Sport, produced in 1928, adopted a girder fork and a recirculating lubrication system. The White Mars name referred to the marque and model family rather than establishing a single fixed paint color. Although examples were known in white, motorcycles were also offered in red and green. The combination of an enclosed frame, unusual engine placement, and specialized drivetrain design made the motorcycles notable in the history of early motorcycle engineering and design. Mars continued to produce motorcycles after the earlier White Mars period, including the 50 cc Monza Super Sport. Motorcycle production finally ended in 1958. Afterward, Gritzner-Kayser AG took over production of the Monza Super Sport and sold it under the Gritzner name. The Mars brand therefore occupies a place in German motorcycle history primarily through its inventive interwar designs and its role as a manufacturer that operated through several interrupted phases before its final closure.

1. 1958Mars motorcycle production ends

   Mars ceased motorcycle production for the final time. Production of the 50 cc Monza Super Sport was later taken over by Gritzner-Kayser AG under the Gritzner brand.

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2. 1928MA 1000 Sport introduced

   The MA 1000 Sport was produced with a girder fork and a recirculating engine lubrication system.

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3. 1925A 20 production ends

   Production of the A 20 concluded after a manufacturing run beginning in 1920.

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4. 1920A 20 enters production

   The Weiße Mars A 20 entered production with its distinctive box-section frame, enclosed drivetrain, lower engine subframe, and trailing-link front fork.

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5. 1903Motorcycle production begins

   Mars began producing motorcycles during the first documented period of its motorcycle activity.

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6. 1873Company founded in Nuremberg

   Mars was established in Nuremberg, Germany.

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An innovative German motorcycle marque associated with unusual frame architecture, enclosed drivetrain components, and technically distinctive early twentieth-century designs.

• Weiße Mars A 20Motorcycle1920

  The A 20 was Mars's best-known early motorcycle and the foundation of the White Mars family. Designed by Claus Franzenburg, it used a box-section frame that connected the headstock with the rear-wheel area and enclosed the transmission and drive chain. Its flat-twin engine sat in a lower subframe, used a hand-crank starter, and had an enclosed primary drive. The model was built from 1920 to 1925 and used a trailing-link front fork.

• Weiße Mars A 23Motorcycle

  The A 23 was one of the derivatives within Mars's White Mars series. It belonged to the same family of unconventional motorcycles associated with Franzenburg's enclosed box-section frame concept and specialized flat-twin powertrain. Available source material identifies the model as part of the principal White Mars range but does not provide a complete production specification.

• Weiße Mars MA 25Motorcycle

  The MA 25 formed part of the White Mars model series. It represented a development of Mars's distinctive motorcycle architecture, characterized by an enclosed frame and drivetrain layout. The available references identify the model within the series but do not establish a full set of technical specifications or a precise production date.

• Weiße Mars MA 27Motorcycle

  The MA 27 was another member of Mars's notable White Mars family. Like the other models in the group, it is associated with the marque's unusual structural design and engineering approach. The supplied references do not provide sufficient detail to describe its exact engine, chassis, or production run.

• MA 1000 SportMotorcycle1928

  The MA 1000 Sport was a later White Mars model produced in 1928. It retained the series' distinctive design identity while using a girder front fork rather than the trailing-link arrangement associated with the A 20. Its engine featured a recirculating lubrication system. The model is among the most frequently cited examples of Mars's technically unusual motorcycle engineering.

• Monza Super Sport50 cc motorcycle

  The Monza Super Sport was a small-displacement Mars motorcycle produced toward the end of the company's manufacturing history. It had a 50 cc engine and remained in production until Mars's final cessation of motorcycle manufacturing in 1958. Gritzner-Kayser AG subsequently took over its production and marketed it under the Gritzner brand.

• 2023Ukraine identifies Mars as an international sponsor of warControversy

  Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention placed Mars on a list of international sponsors of the war, citing continued operations in Russia despite announced reductions.

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• 2023Ukraine war-sponsor designationControversy

  Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention listed Mars as an international sponsor of the war, alleging that the company continued operating in Russia despite public reductions in activity and advertising.

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• 2020Mars and JAB Holding dispute over confidential documentsControversy

  Mars filed a lawsuit alleging that a former JAB executive improperly downloaded and transferred thousands of Mars documents.

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• 2020Confidential-document lawsuit involving JABControversy

  Mars sued JAB Holding, alleging that a former JAB executive misappropriated thousands of internal Mars documents, including strategic and financial material.

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• 2007Vegetarian rennet reversalControversy

  A United Kingdom decision to replace microbial rennet with animal-derived rennet in several confectionery products prompted consumer and Vegetarian Society protests. Mars subsequently abandoned the change and returned to vegetarian sources in the market.

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• 2004Lucas candy lead concernsControversy

  Mars discontinued Lucas candy after reports that high amounts of lead had been found in the products.

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• 2024Mars announces agreement to acquire Kellanova

  Mars announced a proposed acquisition of Kellanova, expanding its global snacking portfolio and subjecting the transaction to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

  M&A
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• 2022Mars Wrigley China uses data-driven audience targeting

  A case study described Mars Wrigley China's use of audience clustering, look-alike expansion and targeted media activation for brands including Snickers, Dove, Extra and Doublemint.

  Campaign
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• 2020Mars Wrigley China changes president

  Industry reporting said Clarence Mak left after roughly a year in the role and that Larry Feng temporarily assumed responsibility for Mars Wrigley China.

  Leadership change
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• 2020Mars acquires full ownership of KIND North America

  Mars completed an acquisition that brought the North American KIND business fully under its ownership.

  M&A
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• 2019Mars expands its Chinese manufacturing and innovation footprint

  Mars described China as a strategically important and its second-largest global market, with seven factories, four innovation centers and more than 9,000 employees reported in the country.

  Other
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• 2016Mars announces removal of artificial colors from candy

  Mars stated that it planned to eliminate artificial colors from its confectionery products.

  Product generation
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• 2008Mars completes acquisition of Wrigley

  Mars completed its acquisition of Wrigley in a transaction reported at approximately $23 billion, creating a much broader global confectionery portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2008Mars and Berkshire Hathaway announce acquisition of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company

  Mars and Berkshire Hathaway announced an all-cash transaction to acquire the chewing-gum company Wrigley.

  M&A
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1. Mars (motorcycle)
2. Mars A 20 — Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim
3. Mars motorcycle by Claus Franzenberg
4. The White Mars motorcycle
5. 乌克兰将玛氏列为国际战争赞助商
6. Mars Wrigley China uses data-driven audience targeting
7. Mars Wrigley China changes president
8. Mars expands its Chinese manufacturing and innovation footprint
9. Mars completes acquisition of Wrigley