Update 14.08.: Micromobility.com is no longer a takeover candidate
Micromobility.com will not take over the insolvent e-bike manufacturer Vanmoof from Amsterdam. The insolvency administrators appointed by the court have rejected the offer from the US e-scooter and e-bike hire company. In addition to the US company, the Accell Group owner KKR Group, Giant, Trek and a previously unknown bidder from Germany were considered interested parties. However, Giant has since denied that it has ever shown any interest in buying Vanmoof.
News from 01.08: Takeover bid for Vanmoof
The US company Micromobility.com Inc. has submitted a non-binding offer for the insolvent Vanmoof. The CEO of Micromobilty.com, Salvatore Palella, explains: "This potential acquisition is part of our long-term strategy to consolidate our leadership position in the micromobility market and diversify our portfolio of solutions. Vanmoof's strong brand reputation, innovative e-bike technology and unique subscription model fit perfectly with our vision for the future of urban transport."
News from 27.07: First repair service for Vanmoof bikes
From 1 September, the refurbish specialist Upway will be launching a repair offer for Vanmoof e-bikes in five countries. In Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the USA, owners of a defective Vanmoof can look forward to a repair. There is already a waiting list for a repair appointment on which you can register yourself or your bike.
Upway's services include the collection, inspection and repair of the e-bike. The service costs, including return shipping, will amount to 89 euros. A cost estimate for the spare parts is also included. Thanks to the close cooperation between the Vanmoof team and Upway's mechanics in the development of the spare parts, the refurbish specialist feels well positioned for the task ahead. However, conventional parts can also be fitted in the interests of the customer.
As far as the software is concerned, Upway recommends downloading the digital e-bike key. This allows the smartphone and e-bike to be paired even after the Vanmoof servers have been shut down. In addition to Cowboy, other providers have probably also developed a corresponding app.
Message from 20.07: Diamond mit special offer
The German bike manufacturer Diamant has good news for customers who wanted to buy a Vanmoof bike and have already paid for it. As compensation, there is a 300 euro discount on the purchase of a Diamant e-bike. The generous offer was made out of compassion. Diamant is familiar with such a situation and the company wants to help people who have not received a Vanmoof bike, explains a spokesperson for the German bike manufacturer. Customers can receive the credit by filling out a form on the Diamant website and uploading proof of the down payment for the bike and the outstanding delivery.
Expected impact on Vanmoof's customers
How does the insolvency affect Vanmoof's customers? They are in a delicate situation. Both the question of spare parts for the brand's own components and the usability of the internal app have not been fully clarified. In addition, the company is unable to deliver a number of prepaid bikes.
As the bikes are high-tech, problems occur time and again. Because most of the components are not produced by any other manufacturer, many customers have to worry about the repair options for their bikes. For smaller components, tyres or brakes, you can of course try your luck at an independent workshop.
You need the app to be able to unlock the bike at all. According to Vanmoof, the app and server will continue to run despite the insolvency, but customers are advised to create a backup unlock code in good time, a kind of key combination to activate the bike using the handlebar buttons. Bike manufacturer Cowboy reacted extremely quickly and provided Vanmoof customers with the "Bikey" app, which is now also available to Android users.
18.07: Insolvency judgement
Weeks before the Amsterdam court's judgement, Vanmoof was already in a critical situation. After the company had been experiencing financial problems for some time, online sales were suspended and the shops closed. The company then applied for a suspension of payments and protection from creditors.
The insolvency judgement reversed the payment deferral granted on 12 July. The question arises as to whether and who can manoeuvre the company back onto a financially upward trajectory. Jan Padberg and Robin de Wit are two administrators who are investigating this question.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
