Automoto was established in 1898 in St-Étienne as a manufacturer of bicycles and tricycles. Like many other cycle companies, Automoto quickly added motorcycles to its product range.

Automoto was a byword for quality of design and manufacture, with both its bicycles and its cycle parts held in high regard. Its location in St-Étienne also put it right at the centre of the fevered development of the derailleur geared bicycle and, between the wars, Automoto consistently fitted the latest models.

In the early 1920s the company first adopted and then took over the manufacture of L’As and the Super As derailleurs.

I believe that Peugeot took over the Automoto company in 1930 and finally stopped using the Automoto brand in 1962.