GLEAM Technologies

Aug 7, 2023

August 7, 2023 After 10 years of activity in the electric cargo bike niche, the Austrian company GLEAM Technologies GmbH was officially declared bankrupt at the end of July 2023, a few weeks after that of its Dutch friend VanMoof. Source : Gleam If the news of the electric bike is strongly animated by the plethora of new models and new brands freshly created, it is also sometimes hit by bad news not encouraging: the bankruptcy of a company, like VanMoof in July 2023 . Frandroid had followed this unfortunate end as exhaustively as possible. To the graveyard of abandoned companies – although VanMoof is in the process of being taken over by a group specializing in micromobility – we must now add GLEAM Technologies Gmb since the end of July 2023, we learn eBike News . This Austrian company had been positioned for 10 years in the electric cargo bike niche. A deadline for recovery Its catalog contained a scooter with two rear wheels and capable of carrying loads of 200 kg. Several configurations coexisted with each other: two for professionals, one for the general public and passenger transport. All at a price, let’s say it, salty: from 7000 euros, not counting the options. The Viennese firm has obviously not met with the expected success, and is forced to close down. The deadline for making a buyback offer has also been set for August 9, 2023. Without recovery, the parts in stock will then be sold on an auction platform. Source : Gleam For current customers, Gleam wants to provide them with as many user manuals as possible. For some specific spare parts, the manufacturer is still looking for a solution to make them available in the future. Finally, for standardized components, he invites you to contact the manufacturers directly (Bosch, Magura, Eviolo, etc.). Should we be worried about the sector? More generally, is the electric bike going through a crisis? Should we expect a domino effect in the sector? Not really. First, the case of VanMoof is unique in that the company was producing e-bikes at a loss. The information had circulated at the beginning of the year 2023, not suggesting anything good – so it was not a surprise. VanMoof was no longer able to structure its offer and get its head above water, until it reached a point of no return. Gleam, for its part, has positioned itself on a specific family of bikes that is much less mainstream. Moreover, two of the configurations of his bike were intended for professionals, which reduces his target clientele. Triporteurs are also less popular than longtails or two-porters within electric cargo ships. This probably played on sales, which turned out to be too weak after a decade to continue the adventure. Ever tougher competition Inevitably, the defeat of these two companies raises legitimate questions about the rest of the sector. Many are watching the situation of Cowboy very closely… which should nevertheless reach the break-even point in the 3rd quarter of 2023, reassures the brand, which however had to raise new funds at the start of the year. In France, the electric bike is clearly living happy days with record sales figures obtained each year. But it is true that the ever tougher competition, the multiplication of players and the strengthening of offers has enough to put pressure, whether on historical groups or on young shoots ready to do battle. To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS app . You can read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.