Skip to main content

Tier Mobility takes over Spin

German firm's latest acquisition means it rides into North America with Ford-owned group
By Adam Hill March 3, 2022 Read time: 2 mins
Tier says it is now the largest micromobility player in the world, with more than 500 cities and 300,000 vehicles (© ITS International)

European firm Tier Mobility is riding into North America for the first time by buying Spin for an undisclosed sum.

Last year, Berlin-based Tier snapped up German micromobility firm Nextbike - but buying Ford-owned Spin gives it a new foothold in more than 100 places across the US and Canada.

Tier says it is now the largest player in the global sector, active in more than 500 cities and with 300,000 vehicles.

Modernising the Spin fleet with 100% swappable batteries is "one of many upcoming projects to achieve environmental sustainability and efficiency in the North American micromobility industry", the firms said in a statement.

Lawrence Leuschner, Tier CEO and co-founder, said the acquisition and entry into North America are "huge milestones in our mission to change mobility for good". 

His counterpart at Spin, Ben Bear, said both companies "share the same foundational view of how to deliver world-class micromobility services to cities and riders".

Helping people make the switch away from car journeys by offering sustainable alternatives is a key goal, both men insisted.

Franck Louis-Victor, vice president, new businesses at Ford Motor Company spoke of the "incredible synergies"

"This new era will provide scale that’s desperately needed in the competitive micromobility sector," he added. "We are pleased to remain in the mix as a strategic investor in Tier and look forward to their continued growth.”

As well as purchasing Nextbike, Tier also bought Italian market leader Wind Mobility last year.

In October, Tier announced the first close of its $200 million Series D funding round, making a total raised of $660 million in equity and debt.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New mobility services could benefit city dwellers and make public transport more affordable
    November 3, 2017
    New mobility services integrated into mass transit systems could improve the lives of all urban inhabitants and make public transport more affordable, accessible and sustainable, according to research from the Coalition for Urban Transitions (CfUT). It also presents the first global survey of new mobility services, and identifies emerging trends and opportunities for decision-makers in both the public and private sectors.
  • Chris Tomlinson: 'My golden rule is have an open mind’
    July 27, 2021
    The executive director of Georgia’s mobility authorities explains tolling’s place in demand management, the benefits of being mode-agnostic and how to learn from other agencies
  • ITS associations highlight road safety, video analysis, new regulations
    December 19, 2016
    ITS Australia has welcomed the country's National Transport Commission's roadmap of regulatory reform for automated vehicles, Ertico-ITS Europe has been appointed as the work-package leader for dissemination, exploitation and standardisation for the EU’s Cloud LSVA, French opportunities in the Italian ITS market formed the theme of ITS France’s first international breakfast meeting, TTS Italia vice president Diego Galletta highlighted the role of new technology solutions, Chris Philip, ITS Canada’s new boar
  • The FIA’s formula for future mobility
    March 11, 2016
    The FIA’s Region I president Thierry Willemarck tells Colin Sowman about his organisation’s campaigning work for the rights of road users and mobility for all. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile may be best known as the FIA and the governing body for world motor sport - particularly Formula 1 - but its influence spreads far wider than the racetrack. The organisation was founded in 1904 with a remit to safeguard the rights and promote the interests of motorists and motor sport across the world. No