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 Industries

Guest: 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 sustainably

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Micromobility America 2026 is set for Jan 14–15 at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. Get your tickets at www.micromobility.io

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mobility and Innovation

03:22 Wolfgang Ziebart's Journey in Automobility

05:17 The Concept of ExciteOne: A New Era in Micro Mobility

07:50 Safety Features and Design Philosophy of ExciteOne

16:15 The Unique Configuration: Why No Doors?

20:33 User Experience: Fun and Engagement in Micro Mobility

27:01 Performance and Comfort at High Speeds

39:39 Visibility and Safety in Modern Vehicles

41:45 The Evolution of Vehicle Design and Visibility

43:51 Weather Considerations in Micro Mobility

46:41 Understanding the Role of New Vehicle Categories

49:49 Target Demographics and Market Research

52:41 The Importance of Non-Consumers in Micro Mobility

55:43 User Experience and Practicality in Design

58:49 Lessons from the BMW C1 and Market Challenges

01:02:46 The Future of Micro Mobility and Market Strategy

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