Voigt announces talks with EU over special status for Simson reimports

Legal imbalance for reimports

Voigt wants to raise the issue to the European level in early September at a cabinet meeting in Brussels. According to his information, a unilateral German solution is not possible, as the EU speed rule for mopeds applies across Europe. The state parliaments of Thuringia and Brandenburg have already addressed the question of reimports.

Supporters of a special rule argue that legally imported reimports could expand supply and drive down black-market prices. Various suppliers say they see the supply of spare parts for the two-stroke mopeds as secured for years to come.

Political instrumentalization and electric project

At the same time, the issue is politically charged. The AfD repeatedly takes up the debate about Simson mopeds and is accused of instrumentalizing the Simson cult among young people in eastern Germany for its own purposes. Voigt himself also points to plans by investors to build an electric version of the Simson in Thuringia, a so-called E-Schwalbe. The project was part of a business delegation that accompanied Voigt to India this year and met with interest there.

However, name and licensing rights are also disputed in the project. A descendant of the Jewish Simson family, after whom the Suhl plant was named, expressed his dismay at the political instrumentalization of the name during a visit to Thuringia. These discussions are part of the ongoing talks about the electric project.

For many young people in rural regions, Simson mopeds are more than GDR nostalgia: they promise mobility because they are cheap to purchase and maintain. The two-stroke bikes can also be ridden without a Class 1 driver's license (old regulation) or with a moped test certificate, which makes them attractive for young people.

Outlook on the talks in Brussels

Voigt emphasized that the state government would continue to push the issue forward. He pointed out that the initiative was intended not only to secure the existing fleet of vehicles, but also to strengthen Thuringia as a business location. The talks in Brussels will show whether there is room at the EU level for an exemption.

If the EU does not move, the situation for owners of reimported Simson mopeds will remain unchanged for the time being: they must continue to ride at 45 km/h, while vehicles registered in the GDR are allowed to travel at 60 km/h. According to Voigt, the Thuringian state government does not want to settle for the status quo.

The debate about Simson mopeds thus combines questions of traffic law, cultural policy and economic policy. Whether the EU will agree to a special rule remains open – but Voigt showed himself determined to place the issue at the European level.