The late 1950s saw strong sales of the Puch 125cc two-stroke single motorscooters, which had three gears shifted from the left twistgrip. These machines developed a reputation for reliability and were popular for daily commuting, providing good weather protection and ease of use with an electric starter. In this role their moderate performance, with a top speed of around 45mph, was not a problem. Later models had a 150cc engine and foot-operation, giving better performance of 6 hp instead of 5 hp but retaining the three gears. Puch produced the famous Twingle engine and the Maxi, Puch Newport, and MK mopeds, which were popular from the late 1970s to early 1980s. In Austria and the Netherlands, Puch mopeds played a big role in the 1960s popular culture.
The Maxi is one of Puch's most well known machines along with the Magnum and Newport models, The Puch Maxi is a moped fitted with a single cylinder, 49cc , two stroke engine. The engine produced around 2hp and could propel the rider up to speeds of 30 mph. Although with modifications, such as racing exhausts and air filters etc, speeds of 45mph or more are within reach. It was started using the pedals which could be engaged and disengaged from the engine so it could be ridden as a normal bicycle. Later models did not have pedals, and instead were started with a kick start mechanism. This machine was cheap to buy and was very popular amongst people who wanted a small machine to ride easily through the towns.
In the late 1980s, the company was being squeezed out by competition. In 1987 massive restructuring of the company led to the end of the production of two-wheelers in Graz. The company's technical know-how was always better than its marketing and commercial success. The Puch motorcycle company was sold to Piaggio, maker of the Vespa, in 1987 and still produces bikes under the name "Puch". Steyr-Puch, assembler of four wheel drive vehicles and parts, still exists next to the Piaggio division. The so-called "Einserwerk", the first production plant, shut down in the early 2000s. The historical assembly-hall was declared a protected industrial monument. When Graz became European Capital of Culture in 2003, a Puch museum was opened in one of the former assembly halls.