Listen "Launching a Micromobility Startup at 75 - Wolfgang Ziebart, Founder & CEO of XYTE Mobility"
Episode Synopsis
At 75, legendary auto exec Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart is launching a brand-new micromobility category with the XYTE ONE. It is a three-wheel, tilting, seat-belted urban vehicle that blends car-like safety with motorcycle agility. Guest host Horace Dediu digs into design choices, safety, performance, go-to-market, and why this product could unlock a new class of riders, especially safety-conscious non-riders.Host: Horace Dediu, Co-Founder, Micromobility IndustriesGuest: Dr. Wolfgang Ziebart (BMW board alum, led Jaguar I-PACE program, founder of XYTE Mobility)What you’ll learn- Why cars don’t fit cities, and how a 790 mm-wide vehicle changes traffic and parking- How car-grade crash principles (belt, space frame, side protection) work in a motorcycle-sized footprint- Why no doors and a tilting front end matter for stability, wind, and cost- Key specs: 19 kW (~25 hp), 0–50 km/h in 2.7 s, top speed ~109 km/h, ABS, tilt-lock at stops- Weather and comfort: tall glass windscreen with wiper, convertible-like airflow- Storage: ~70 L (carry-on, beer crate, even a violin case)- Price target: €12,900 in Germany (ex-VAT ~€10.7k)- Launch plan: city by city in Europe with local service- Lessons from the BMW C1 and why this time is different- Bootstrapping vs VC and scaling sustainablyMicromobility America 2026 is set for Jan 14–15 at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. Get your tickets at www.micromobility.io