Blaupunkt releasing a new line of e-bikes

For anyone of a certain vintage, the name Blaupunkt is synonymous with a sweet sweet car stereo, but now the European brand is set to unleash its lineup of e-bikes on the United States, as well as South and Central America, with Canada (Hopefully!) not far behind. 

Blaupunkt introduced the brand at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California earlier this year and has snagged action sports icon Greg Manning to shore up operations in the Americas and get the e-bikes rolling en masse. 

“As a long-time owner of Blaupunkt car stereos and as a veteran cyclist Blaupunkt hit all the marks!” says Manning, now the VP of Marketing and Sales for the Blaupunkt E-bikes launch in North America. “I jumped on the opportunity to work with Blaupunkt E-bikes.”

The three models available are the Fiete 500, the Fiene 500, and the Henri 500. The bikes feature magnesium frames that easily fold for easy storage and transportation. The Fiene model, for example. folds down to a tidy 31-inches by 23-inches.

They are light (the Fiene clocks in at 47 pounds), quite stylish, and have a range of approximately 70 kilometres with a six-hour charging period. Two models have 20-inch wheels, one has 16-inch wheels. Blaupunkt uses a six-speed Shimano SIS circuit.

The Fiene has a 36-volt rear wheel hub motor with 50 Nm. The battery is lockable and removable. There is a three-stage pedal assist as well as throttle control on hand grip up to 32 km/h (20 mph) and disc brakes. 

Brian Tedesco, the president and CEO of Blaupunkt Car Multimedia, told Bicycle Retailer that the brand is focused on the commuter market, especially an older demographic.

“We aren’t going to compete with Rad Power, we are for the e-bike commuter who might be an old guy, over 50, who knows the Blaupunkt brand because it was on the stereo in the first VW or German car he bought,” he is quoted as saying in Bicycle Retailer. “The brand resonates with the demographic of the older commuter.”

Tedesco said Blaupunkt can offer its bikes at under $2,000 MSRP.