Porsche Acquires Share of Fazua to Further Build e-Bike Involvement

Ottobrunn, Germany

Porsche has further expanded its involvement in the rapidly growing e-bike market by acquiring a stake in drive systems manufacturer Fazua.

Porsche is acquiring 20% of the shares in its fellow German company, with an option to purchase further shares which would allow Porsche to take over Fazua completely.

Fazua, based in Ottobrunn near Munich, was founded in 2013 and is a pioneer in developing lightweight, compact drive technologies.

“It established the new category of ‘light e-bikes’ and today employs more than 100 people,” according to a statement from Porsche.

More than 40 renowned brands already utilise Fazua’s technologies, including Trek, Pinarello, Wilier, Pivot, Look, Canyon and Fuji.

In announcing the purchase last week, Porsche also revealed it is establishing a strategic partnership with Ponooc Investment BV, part of Pon Holdings.

“Together with Ponooc, Porsche plans to establish two joint ventures that will be active in the field of electric mobility,” the Porsche statement says.

“The first joint venture is to develop, manufacture and distribute a future generation of high-quality Porsche e-bikes.

“The second company will focus on technological solutions in the fast-growing micromobility market.

“With these steps, Porsche is driving forward its e-mobility strategy in a holistic manner.”

In 2019, Porsche presented the Taycan as the brand’s first all-electric sports car. Almost 40% of Porsche cars delivered in Europe in 2021 were plug-in hybrids or fully electric models. Worldwide, the share was just under 25%.

In addition, Porsche continues to work with long-standing partner Rotwild on its current e-bike models. In March 2021, the company launched its Porsche e-bike Sport and the e-bike Cross.

Porsche Ebike
Porsche entered the e-bike market in 2021 with the Sport (pictured) and Cross models. Photo: Porsche

Porsche Digital GmbH has also worked with bike manufacturer Storck to develop the Cyklær brand, which was launched last year with a Fazua drive train and digital connection such as front and rear cameras.

Last December, Porsche upped its stake in high-tech Croatian eMTB manufacturer Greyp Bikes, from 10% to a majority stake, at the same time as it invested in Rimac Automobili, which produces electric supercars and, like Greyp, is part of the Rimac Group.

Greyp describes itself as a “tech company that just happens to make some of the best bikes in the world” and claims it creates “the most connected and technologically advanced e-bikes on the market”.

Five months earlier, Porsche Ventures and Yamaha Motors Ventures spearheaded a fundraising round of US$3.75 million (A$5 million) for San Francisco-based online e-bike retailer Ridepanda, which offers a suite of light electric vehicles including Segway-Ninebot e-scooters, Aventon e-bikes and Niu e-mopeds.

The Ridepanda website gives visitors a ranked set of recommended vehicles, based on their cited uses and feature preferences. Its service also includes maintenance plans and roadside assistance.

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