German automobile giant Volkswagen (VW) has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Volkswagen Financial Services has teamed up with Dutch mobility powerhouse Pon Holdings to revolutionize the e-bike scene.

Under the terms of the commercial partnership, the prominent Netherlands-based mobility powerhouse and the German automobile giant’s financial arm will offer electrifying e-bike leasing solutions for European and American employees as well as businesses. To be more specific, the two companies intend to expand Pon Holdings’ Bike Mobility Services (BMS) in the U.S. and Europe.

In an era where e-bikes are quickly becoming the wheels of the future, automotive companies want to leave no stone unturned to make a dynamic shift. Everyone wants to embrace sleek, eco-friendly e-bike rides as the pulse of tomorrow's urban mobility. It is the reason why automobile giants like VW are also stepping into the e-bike arena.

To boost the e-bike leasing and make e-bikes more accessible to employees as well as businesses across Europe and the U.S. through Pon, the German automaker’s financial arm has acquired a significant 49 per cent stake in the Dutch firm’s BMS. It is worth noting here that BMS enjoys a significant position in the field of bike sharing, thanks to its global presence spanning the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and North America. Pon is, in fact, the behemoth with e-bikes underpinning the daily commutes of more than 600,000 employees across 65,000 businesses. A whopping 90 per cent of the company’s leased bikes are electric, and they are delivered by a vast network of 8,000 dealers.

In partnership with VW, Pon is now eyeing the expansion of BMS in the U.S. market in particular.

Janus Smalbraak, CEO of Pon Holdings, said, “BMS just opened its first U.S. office in San Francisco and has already signed large corporations for company bike leasing. Our existing presence and retail relationships in the USA can help enhance our partnership and our offer to U.S. employees, companies, and retailers.”

VW and Pon share a rich history that stretches back roughly eight decades. In fact, the two partners’ connection runs deep, dating back to the launch of the iconic VW Bus. Surprisingly, the final production model of the VW Bus was crafted based on a sketch made by none other than Pon Holdings’ founder, Ben Pon Sr. Moreover, Pon still holds the prestigious title of being the largest importer for the VW vehicles in the Netherlands.