Bikes from Car Companies

From a marketing standpoint, a car company selling a branded bicycle makes solid sense. If you’re into four-wheeled fun, there’s a good chance two wheels also light your fire. And for those aspiring to an automotive marque, a bike’s a nice way to get a Three-Pointed Star or Land Rover in the garage at a fraction of the cost.

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Looking like a two-wheeled track demon, Ford’s E-Bike Concept - emphasis for the moment on concept — was unveiled at this fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Featuring a featherweight 5.5-lb frame made of aluminum and carbon fiber, the E-Bike is driven by a motor hidden in the front wheel hub that’s powered by a lithium-ion battery tucked inside the frame. Ford claims the bike can seamlessly integrate human and battery power via an “integrated ... more
Looking like a two-wheeled track demon, Ford’s E-Bike Concept - emphasis for the moment on concept — was unveiled at this fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Featuring a featherweight 5.5-lb frame made of aluminum and carbon fiber, the E-Bike is driven by a motor hidden in the front wheel hub that’s powered by a lithium-ion battery tucked inside the frame. Ford claims the bike can seamlessly integrate human and battery power via an “integrated controller and magnetorestriction technology” derived from Formula One. Such lofty tech-talk aside, Ford’s foray into the electric bike market reflects a bigger trend as consumers look for both fuel-efficient and fuel-free ways to commute. Smart Car is set to sell an e-bike in dealerships soon, after unveiling it at continental bicycle confab Eurobike this fall. less