Jo Beckendorff

SALZBURG, Austria - Following successful sales in 2021, Pierer E-Bike has set its ambitions for the next five years. The Austrians want to expand their existing brand portfolio with further product categories to achieve sales of 350,000 units by 2026.

TOKYO, Japan - Neither the corona crisis or a shift in mentality to sustainable transport options have been able to lead to a strengthening of either the Japanese bicycle industry or the domestic bicycle market. A first look at 2021 bicycle figures compiled by the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI) show the same trend as previous years, that the market is weakening.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Taiwan's leading bicycle producer Giant Manufacturing Company Limited (Giant Group) has set a new historic quarterly record in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The Group's sales contribution from e-bikes reached a 26% share.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - Stating a challenging business environment, German high-precision transmission parts and components manufacturer hGears AG, saw its young e-mobility business unit swallowing a double-digit 15.4% sales decrease in the first quarter of 2022. However, the publicly traded company can look to the future with confidence.

MORGAN HILLS, USA - Effective May 1, Specialized founder Mike Sinyard hired Armin Landgraf as Chief of Worldwide Markets. This follows Sinyard's appointment of industry newcomer Scott Maguire to succeed him as CEO and his own repositioning as Chief Rider Advocate in March.

OSNABRÜCK, Germany - One of Europe's largest automotive parts distributors WM-SE has entered the e-bike market with the acquisition of Fischer Bike owner MTS Group. For a non-disclosed price, transport and logistics service provider DB Schenker Deutschland AG sold its successful subsidiary after an failed attempt to disinvest in 2018.

VIENNA, Austria - Along with other European nations, bicycle and e-bike sales in Austria last year were also harmed by serious supply bottlenecks. The demand outstripped supply. Nevertheless, champagne corks popped when the domestic bicycle industry was able to break through the magic €1 billion value sales barrier for the first time in 2021.

MUNICH, Germany - German e-mobility company Rebike Mobility GmbH is making the next step forward to develop its cross-brand platforms for premium used e-bikes, subscription models and e-bike rental at popular holiday destinations.

ÁGUEDA, Portugal - EU-funded close-to-market bicycle production in Portugal is continuing to gain momentum. According to the national bicycle industry association ABIMOTA, the sales value in the first two months of this year increased year-on-year by almost 50% to nearly €110 million.

WARWICK, England - Indian two-wheeler and utility vehicle manufacturer TVS Motor Company Limited has acquired a majority stake in the British e-bike supplier EBCO Ltd. The £1.16 million (€1.39 million) deal also has a direct impact on German Iko Sportartikel Handels GmbH and its Corratec bicyle and e-bike brand.