The Tempo triporter with cab went into production in the late 1920s and became an extremely popular seller in Germany in the light commercial range. Having three wheels and a sub-500cc two stroke engine, owners did not need a car license or to pay road tax. Although slow, they were solid and reliable and could haul payloads far in excess of what their meagre horsepower rating would suggest - albeit slowly.
In the postwar period, Vidal and Sons, upgraded the Tempo triporter and renamed it the Hanseat. It was an essential feature of the reconstruction period in 1950s Germany. It was however quite old fashioned and in 1949 Tempo introduced the four wheel commercial, Matador, powered by a Volkswagen boxer-engine. While the Matador was a more practical vehicle, the Hanseat remained as popular a seller as ever. Nevertheless, it was clear to Vidal and Sons that the Hanseat production run was soon coming to an end.
Rather than simply retire the vehicle, Vidal and Sons sought out a joint venture partner in the Far East, where the little triporter may have a longer future. In 1951, they established a licensed production agreement Bachraj Trading company in India to build knock-down Hanseat kits. These proved to be a just as popular a seller in India as in Germany. Progressively, Bachraj took over full manufacturing until in 1954, Vidal and Son's sold all designs, presses and tooking for the Hanseat. In 1958, Vidal and Sons formed a joint venture with Bachraj as Bajaj Tempo Motors. Their range included the Indian manufactured Hanseat and exported Tempo Matadors and Vikings. Bajaj Tempo would also manufacture tricycle rickshaws based on the Piaggio Ape design.
The Bajaj Hanseat would remain in production until 2000. Few changes were made except to replace the two cylinder 400cc Heinkel two stoke motor with a single cylinder Lombardi diesel engine.
The Indian Firodia Group bought out the company in 1968, however Vidal and Sons retained their 25% stake in Bajaj Tempo, until they themselves were taken over by Daimler-Benz in 1971. Daimler-Benz inheriting their stake until they sold out in the early 2000s. The company is now Force Motors and continues to manufacture a wide range of commercial vehicles.
