Thursday, 28 March 2024
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Toyota France starts selling Douze Cycles cargo bikes

Toyota’s French distribution network will start selling electric cargo bikes from 2023, the automotive giant has announced.

In order to offer its customers a car alternative, Toyota France has paired with Douze Cycles, a fellow French business that specialises in modular and configurable bikes. The cargo bike business typically sells into France, Germany and Switzerland and with demand rising has invested in a new production unit of over 2,000 m² in size. Thirty employees are spread over two sites.

“It seemed extremely important to us that our partner be able to have a production site on national territory, because of Toyota’s history in our country,” said Frank Marotte, Chairman and CEO of Toyota France. “The next step will focus on finalizing the product that will be marketed in our distribution network, in order to fully meet the needs of consumers. »

“It’s a great opportunity for Douze Cycles and the start of a great adventure to partner with a car manufacturer for the first time. With Toyota France, we share the same vision and want to build tomorrow’s mobility together,” added Thomas Coulbeaut, Founder and President of Douze Cycles.

To celebrate this partnership, Frank Marotte received yesterday at Toyota France Thomas Coulbeaut and Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, co-shareholder of Douze Cycles, through his investment company Notus Technologies.

“The cargo bike will become a major player in city center mobility. The Toyota France and Douze Cycles partnership is clear proof of this,” concludes Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux.

The announcement is one of a few that are likely to place eBikes into car showrooms, but more than that, the trend of investments from the automotive world is accelerating at a rapid pace.

Last week’s Eurobike show for the first time carried numerous automotive OEMs parts makers looking to reskill staff, one telling CI.N that where the combustion engine has been phased out some parts supply has been lost forever and as such the manufacturer was looking to new mobility forms to reallocate its production skills.