“Angell, it’s over”! It is with these words that Marc Simoncini announced on social networks the end of his connected electric bicycle startup Angell Mobility. It was ultimately unable to resist the numerous problems linked to the manufacturing of its “made in France” bicycles, which it has experienced since their marketing. It will declare itself in cessation of payments, and will probably be in liquidation, according to an email sent by Marc Simoncini to his clients.
In addition to difficulties in supplying parts during the Covid period and several construction defects, the startup was especially forced to recall a significant part of its first generation bikes last November. The cause is the breakage of the bicycle frame, reported by certain customers of the company, and which can lead to falls and accidents. Nearly 5,000 bicycles were affected.
According to Le Figarofor this major inconvenience, the startup had to face a reimbursement of 13 million euros to its customers. An amount beyond the financial reach of the company, which therefore had to be obliged to announce the imminent end of its activity.
Supported by major industrial groups
This isn't the first e-bike company that has had to close shop. We remember the Dutch Van Moof, bankrupt in July 2023, and bought by McLaren Applied via the Lavoie brand. It must be said that the electric bicycle market has become sluggish in several European countries including France. It fell by 9% in our country according to the latest figures from the Sport and Cycle Union (USC).
-Angell was, however, supported by renowned industrialists. It first established a first partnership with the French small appliance giant Seb. The latter assembled the parts in its factory in Is-sur-Tille (Côte-d'Or), 25 km from Dijon. Seb had also taken a minority stake in the startup.
It also brought into its capital the CMA-CGM group, a global maritime transport giant, during its last fundraising of 20 million euros in September 2023. Finally, Angell concluded an alliance the same year with the manufacturer Mini, a subsidiary of BMW. The company thus wanted to roll its two wheels in new European countries. Less than a year and a half after these announcements, Angell will have to shut down.
France
