Simson-Hype: Ein DDR-Kultmoped und sein AfD-Problem
AfD-Politiker vereinnahmen die Simson. Die Familie wehrt sich dagegen. Und der Thüringer Ersatzteilehersteller MZA? Will einfach Geld verdienen. Nur einfach ist das Simson-Geschäft nicht.
Meiningen - A motorcycle roars to life as a swarm of colorful Simsons glide along the country road, accompanied by fast-paced beats and a retro filter. Each cut of the TikTok video showcases different drivers on the iconic DDR mopeds. In the middle: Ulrich Siegmund, sporting a white T-shirt and blue bike. The camera cuts away as he stands on a stage, proclaiming, "Let's tell what we witness in the East.
We'll strip away the political landscape. That's why we don't take away our freedom and way of living," before the applause fades.
This seemingly Western phenomenon of being acquainted with the Simson only after the AfD politician joined the election campaign might be a result of the Thuringian government chief Mario Voigt (CDU) criticizing Björn Höcke (AfD), as a spokesman of the Simson's founding family called it "offensive." The mopeds are no longer in production, and spare parts can only be obtained from one company, MZA. Its CEO owes Siegmund's rise to the fame of the Simson. However, it is now the very thing causing him trouble.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
