Simson Hype: A GDR Cult Moped and its AfD Problem
AfD politicians are appropriating the Simson brand. The family is resisting this. And what about MZA, the Thuringian spare parts manufacturer? They just want to make money. But the Simson business is not that simple.
A TikTok video shows a group of people riding Simson mopeds, a cult vehicle from the DDR, with AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund, winner of the Saxony-Anhalt election, featured prominently. Siegmund is shown speaking at a rally, advocating for freedom and way of life. The Simson moped has become a political issue, particularly since AfD politicians began using it in their campaigns.
The company's connection to the AfD has been criticized, with a spokesperson for the founding family calling it "abstoßend". The moped's manufacturer, MZA, has grown with the cult following, but now faces a test.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
