After the assembly hall is occupied, the setup of storage and work areas for pre- and final assembly will take place in Rosenthal until SOP (Start of Production). The list of other milestones is becoming increasingly manageable.
Driver Test Vehicle (FET):
Sufficient quantities of most TWIKE 5 components have been allocated for procurement, and even larger assemblies such as the steering and chassis components have been validated through initial tests in a driver test vehicle, allowing for their revision to be initiated. To ensure the newly developed vehicle meets further requirements for safe driving dynamics, additional tests and potential optimizations are necessary. By FET, we mean prototypes that are drivable but do not necessarily yet have body panels. A first FET was built, and testing of the electrical and drive systems began in October 2023. A second FET, constructed close to series production using adhesive bonding from pre-anodized black aluminum sheets, allows for further testing of more demanding driving dynamics and was completed in February 2025.
Prototypes:
Once the driver trials have been successfully completed and the frame (BIW), chassis, and powertrain are deemed suitable for type approval by us and the accompanying experts, we can add the exterior to the test vehicles over the following four to five months, thus building fully functional prototypes. We will then present these prototypes to our customers and simultaneously conduct final physical tests for ECE homologation certification.
ECE homologation
is the technical term for the type approval of a vehicle, or the registration of a production vehicle in the EU, which is also accepted by some non-European countries. For this, we work with the Luxembourg-based registration service provider ATEEL. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Flensburg confirms the completeness of the required documentation and subsequently issues the EU type approval.
Conversion of pre-order into order:
Upon review of the prototypes, customers have the opportunity to convert their pre-order into a binding order. This sets the final steps in motion for the start of series production.
Start of Series Production (SOP):
Once the starting signal has been given, two vehicles will be assembled daily at the Rosenthal plant after production processes have ramped up. We continue to anticipate reaching this point approximately six months after the presentation of the prototypes. Within a period of twelve months, starting after SOP and reaching the peak production line of two vehicles per working day, the planned 500 TWIKE 5 vehicles will then be produced and delivered to our customers.
PIONEER EDITION
To adhere to the ambitious schedule, consistently available liquidity is a fundamental requirement. Any delay in receiving necessary funds will delay the schedule. However, in our estimation, the presentation of prototypes will, at the latest, resolve any current reluctance regarding advance payments.
To secure funding for the final development phase, the TWIKE 5 Pioneer Edition, an exclusive and attractively priced bonus package, was created. The interest-based ranking system also allows later pre-order customers with a higher prepayment to move up in the ranking and even reserve a preferred serial number.
Here you can find out how our financing is organized and how you can secure a TWIKE Pioneer Edition .
