Douze Cycles: Toyota will sell cargo bikes through dealerships

In partnership with the French manufacturer Douze Cycles, Toyota will offer sales and distribution of cargo bikes at dealerships in 2023.

Between bike and car, should you choose? In any case, Toyota is leaning towards both. As an automobile manufacturer, they are now venturing into cycling. And not just the simple bicycle for leisure or commuting: the cargo bikes from Douze Cycles.

Toyota Bends Over Backwards for Douze

“For Douze Cycles, it is a great opportunity and the beginning of an exciting adventure to partner with a car manufacturer for the first time,” declared Thomas Coulbeaut, Founder and President of Douze Cycles, “with Toyota France, we share the same vision and want to build the mobility of tomorrow together.”

Furthermore, the Japanese brand aims to become “the leading mobility company in the world.” With its cars, but also through solutions for people with reduced mobility, and therefore bikes. More specifically, the manufacturer targets “alternatives to automobiles for professional uses (local deliveries) or private ones (child transport, errands, or equipment).

A Douze H Soon Available at Toyota Dealerships

Founded on December 12, 2012 (hence the name), Douze Cycles is a French company specializing in cargo bikes. Based in Ladoix-Serrigny near Beaune (21), its first bike, the V1, led to a V2, a modular and removable tandem. Then in 2017, the G4 was introduced, an electric cargo bike with a suspended fork, reinforced frame, and better ground clearance. Recently, the longtail LT1 (elongated bike) completed the range, while a new production site ensures “Made in France” manufacturing in Longvic, near Dijon.

“It seemed extremely important to us that our partner could have a production site on the national territory,” specifies Frank Marotte, CEO of Toyota France. Because manufacturing in France is a small battle for the Japanese firm. They had set up the Toyota Yaris factory in Valenciennes in 1998. 

“The next step will involve finalizing the product to be marketed through our distribution network.” Indeed, the Douze H is making its debut and will be positioned alongside the new Toyota bZ4X. Aspiring to “combine the best of the V2 and the H4,” it merges the frame of the former with the reinforcements of the latter.

Read also: Futuristic, the Barq Rena Max breaks the mold of cargo scooters