TOKYO (BRAIN) — Tern partnered with Bosch eBike Systems to enter the Japan market with a new folding e-bike the brands showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in the Bosch booth. The show, which closed Sunday, marked Tern's entry into the Japan e-bike market; Japan is Bosch's first e-bike market in Asia.
"Japan is the original e-bike market," said Tern's Josh Hon. "Moderately powered 'mamachari' e-bikes are widely used by parents sending kids off to school. But with the recent e-bike boom in Europe and North America, e-bikes have evolved in power, capability, and sophistication. We're excited to partner with Bosch to bring forward-thinking designs to Japan, and get even more people out riding."
Tern's new concept bike takes the core technology of Tern's Vektron bike family and combines it with Bosch's 2018 Active Plus system. The newest Bosch system is lighter, more compact, quieter, and more efficient than the previous Bosch systems. The company said that when ridden without power support, the system offers barely any resistance. Tern's bike features an integrated rack, convenient battery placement, and comes in under 20 kg. It's designed for multi-modal commuting, family transport, and personal transportation.
"Bosch is the global leader in e-bike systems and Tern is a leader in urban transport bikes," said Hon. "Changing consumer perception and habits in the competitive Japan market won't be easy but we couldn't have better partners than Bosch and our local distribution partner Akibo Corporation."
