Jo Beckendorff

MUNICH, Germany - Despite a stagnating global economy, unresolved conflicts, and other geopolitical mood killers, the stock market boom continued, at least in the first quarter of 2025. Then came Trump trouble, with the US president instigating a global trade war. The tariff conflict is not only having an impact on the existing global economic order, but also on financial markets. The stock market went on a roller coaster. Investors are reacting to the unpredictability of the 'America First' prophet, which on a long-term could benefit Europe. In this context, here's an overview of how stock-listed bicycle industry companies fared in the first six months of 2025.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Stepping up investments in employees and production technologies, AD-II Engineering has announced the opening of an all-new factory. A five-story storage system will further streamline the production of Microshift drivetrain components. The company did not communicate an exact date for the start of production in the new facility.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Taiwan's renowned bicycle frame builder Astro Tech Co., Ltd. celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new production facility in Phu Chanh Industrial Park (north of Ho Chi Minh City) last Tuesday. Having produced for 24 years in Vietnam already, mass production in the new factory is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - The financial results published by e-bike motor component manufacturer hGears are an important indicator of the market expectations of leading European e-bike brands. For the first quarter of 2025, hGears reports a 32.1% sales decline for its e-bike division. For the rest of 2025, hGears expects a further decline of the e-bike market.

MUNICH, Germany - The future of Gocycle has come into sharper focus following confirmation that its maker, Karbon Kinetics Ltd., has partnered with a new investor. Founder and designer Richard Thorpe first hinted at the development in November, describing the partner as a "highly respected and competent" player in the e-bike industry. Now operating under the umbrella of an undisclosed company, Gocycle is entering a new chapter - raising questions about who's behind the brand's next move and what this means for its presence in the European market.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - Even though the weakening economy and the ongoing destocking in the 2024 financial year hurt the turnover and earnings of stock-listed high-precision gear parts and components manufacturer hGears AG, the company says the cost and structural measures introduced are having the desired effect. These have also prepared the company for another difficult year.

DRESDEN, Germany - Online bicycle retailer Bike24 Holding AG closed its first quarter of 2025 with double-digit revenue growth in all European sales regions compared to the same period of the previous year and a €2.1 million improvement in operating results.

VIENNA, Austria - After an impressive Covid-related sales boom and subsequent sales decline and overstock, Austria's bicycle market had already more or less returned to a 'high normal level' by 2023. Could this level be maintained in 2024? The answer to this question can be found in the latest data released by ARGE Fahrrad.

WELS, Austria - For quite some time the sparrows have been whistling it from the rooftop: on April 29, Pierer Mobility AG confirmed it will withdraw completely from the bicycle and e-bike business in the current 2025 financial year. Pierer Mobility is seriously struggling with the insolvency of its motorcycle subsidiary KTM AG.

VIENNA, Austria - The first-quarter sales numbers for 2025 are in, and Austria's kids' bicycle supplier Woom GmbH has glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel with its strongest numbers yet.