Edition: Mon, 01.02.2021
On the road this week for our house magazine: Fabienne Senn
Do you have suggestions or ideas for a contribution? Send us your suggestions here:
Photo of the week: Winter driving fun with the eRod
Driving fun with the eRod - Fabien Caroselli (driver) and Laurence Nève enjoy driving the eRod on snow and ice even in the depths of winter.
26.01.2021, JAG
Social responsibility and sustainability
This year we are publishing a social responsibility and sustainability report for the first time. It explains what we at KYBURZ understand by ethics, human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, corruption prevention, and data protection. It also provides information on which internationally recognized concepts we align ourselves with. These are the UN Global Compact and the UN Sustainable Development Goals' ten principles. You will also find exciting key figures for our efforts in these areas in the report. The report is public and may be given to customers and partners.
27.01.2021, PH
Click here for the full report. The report is in German.
Do you have any questions about this topic? Philipp Heim will be happy to give you more information.
Good to know:
Did you know that 54 employees at KYBURZ come to work with an electric vehicle? Of these, 31 are on the road with KYBURZ vehicles, 15 with electric bikes, and 8 with electric cars. You can find this and many other exciting facts in the document.
B-Partner Refresher was successful
We had diligently practiced and tested the remote B-Partner Refresher. You could already read about it in the last in-house newspaper.
Last Wednesday (27.01.21), we were able to successfully present the first official remote B-Partner Refresher.
About 25 partners were updated via live video. Also, representatives of CompCars and the Swiss Post were watching.
While we held our training on administration (Flurin), mechanics (Ali), electronics (Abel), and diagnostics (Jenny), Bruno, Simon, and Lexi from ditoy managed the complete technology.
The training worked great, and we got great feedback from our partners.
Many thanks to the whole team!
27.01.2021, FV
You can watch the whole partner refresher here. The video is in German.
Good to know:
Work that a B-Partner may perform:
- Troubleshooting and replacement of wear parts (wheels, lights, small parts).
- Maintenance (drive, control, charger, suspension, cables, brakes)
Requirements that a B-Partner must meet:
- Annual training/refresher on our products (refresh course).
- Diagnostic tool
- Transport facilities
- Interface on the Internet
Would you like to know more about the Partner Refresh? Then contact Flurin Vicentini.
Object of the week: KYBURZ rim
At the beginning of the 1990s, young Martin Kyburz was looking for a wheel manufacturer for his electric vehicles. He traveled in his holiday clothes to the prestigious Grimeca foundry in Bologna from his vacation on Lake Como. In the large room where Grimeca and Piaggio executives were negotiating just before, he inquired whether he could get supplies of the four-spoke aluminum rim used on Piaggio's ubiquitous Ciao and Si mopeds.
Since the molds belonged to Piaggio, the two big companies that were still in the house had to make a decision. After a glance at the unassuming young man, a spontaneous "YES" came. Since Piaggio moved production abroad, Martin Kyburz was even able to buy the molds, improve them and use them for years.
After Grimeca went bankrupt, a KYBURZ employee could save the molds on-site at the last moment. They were already on the truck on the way to disposal. Another producer was able to cast more rims with the molds - until another bankruptcy. The manager of this foundry established contact with the company NIFO. Since 2008, NIFO has been supplying the KYBURZ rims, a family business that also produces high-quality brake calipers for exclusive sports car manufacturers.
About 9000 of the five-spoke KYBURZ rims were delivered by NIFO in 2020. The majority of the alloy rims are sprayed silver. Black sprayed they are installed on the DX2. The new geometry with larger jaw width and careful craft allows the mounting of tubeless tires.
Since 2017, the five-spoke rims are now used. The old, worn-out mold from Piaggio from the 1990s could finally be replaced.
29.01.2021, DH
| Dimension: (LxWxH) | 435 x 435 x 70 mm | |
| Weight: | 4.1 kg | |
| Material: | Aluminum, silver, or black sprayed | |
| Sales price: | CHF 205.70 incl. VAT |
The latest TECH TALK from and with Martin
Every week an episode from my new video diary TECH TALK will be published. It will be published on our homepage and on YouTube. Become an insider and follow my YouTube channel. You will get interesting insights into the world of KYBURZ.
PLUS II Driving Report
After many years of development, it's finally here for my first test drive: the first PLUS II. I chose a really tough winter day for the test drive. Here the PLUS II has to show what it can do. From the outside, the much wider wheels stand out. The modern tires have much less rolling resistance. We could switch from motorcycle tires to car tires on the new development. When you open the door, you immediately notice that it has become much more robust. The massive hinges make it very easy for me to get in. We have completely redesigned the dashboard. A modern screen shows me all the necessary information.
It's off on the test drive. The revised windshield wiper copes well with the heavy snowfall. Even on the first curves, it's noticeable that the steering force is slightly higher than on the old PLUS. This is due to the significantly wider tires. Both straight-line stability and braking distance have been improved. The PLUS II feels really nice while handling, and it's fun to ride it on snow-covered roads towards Irchel. The vehicle copes with gradients of up to 18% without any problems. The wintry conditions require gentle braking. The recuperation brake, which only acts on the rear axle, makes this possible without any problems. If emergency braking maneuvers are unavoidable, I brake using the handbrake. The power is transmitted to all four wheels via the electric servo brake.
After the extensive test drives, my assessment is: The long wait for the PLUS II was worth it. I am delighted with the vehicle.
31.01.2021, MK
Good to know:
The new PLUS II has been very well received by the public. Since sales began on January 12, 16 PLUS IIs have already been sold.
eTrolley work-out in use
When a service partner is overloaded and can no longer maintain or repair the postal vehicles for which they are responsible on time, the KYBURZ team steps in and provides support.
Currently, this is the case in the Solothurn area. We have repaired several DXPs and PAHs at various post offices because the mechanic at our service partners has broken down.
For this work, we could use the eTrolley work-out optimally, which Zopfi had built in December. The eTrolley work-out has all common spare parts for our passenger vehicles on board - the tools are always taken along in the toolbox. It also has a generous work surface with vice and offers space for additional parts, specifically prepared for the current tour.
Sandro and Igor took the eTrolley work-out and the mobile lift to various post offices. They were able to set up a small workshop at the post office or in the DXP garage.
This meant that Sandro and Igor could directly repair the vehicles and did not have to transport them to Freienstein and back. They saved the post office and us a lot of time and did a lot of good for the environment.
The workshop van has already paid for itself.
29.01.2021, FV
Would you like to test the eTrolley? Then contact Dispo directly.
New homepage for our Fleet Management System
The Fleet website has been completely revised. Since the last update, many new functions have been developed and successfully introduced to our customers. The various function modules are clearly described and reduced to concise statements.
29.01.2021, HP
A lot of information with little reading in an attractive layout! Check it out.
Want to learn more about Fleet Management System? Hanspeter will be happy to answer your question.
Health tip
Today I present to you another of what I call the ten steps to mental health:
Discover New Things. To that end, here are a few ideas...
- Create your own website
- Learn Spanish, Swedish, or recognize bird calls online
- Go on a virtual museum tour.
- Bake cookies with five ingredients
- Reorder your photos
Of course, these tips can be extended indefinitely. There are no limits to your imagination and creativity. Just try it out!
11.01.2021, SL
If you have any questions, please contact Sabine Lickert.
New eRod workshop manager - Tino Wehrli
Since the beginning of the year, I have had the opportunity to start in the eRod department. Thanks to Andi's help and support at the build seminar, I was already able to gain some experience with the eRods in the past, which I am now happy to draw on. My years of experience as a hobby car mechanic on my own vehicles also help me quickly find my way into this new work environment. I also appreciate the fact that I am currently allowed to work flexibly between the PLUS and eRod departments, which means that I will also stay with my previous department and continue to perform my previous duties.
28.01.2021, LAN
Would you like to congratulate Tino, or do you have any questions? Then contact him directly
An unexpected visit from Team Bio-Hybrid
Some time ago, we noted that the company Bio-Hybrid GmbH was to present itself with its 4-wheeled electric bicycle in our house. Punctually, as agreed, the automatic door to the showroom opened.
Incredibly stylish, trendy, and shapely, the muscle-powered, electrically assisted speedsters whizzed past us. The revolutionary design with its impressive weather protection solution, the black, white, and anthracite color scheme, and the perfectly shaped alloy wheels are truly breathtaking.
Patrick Seidel is responsible for the company strategy and its corporate development. He outlined how the company developed the two-seater "Passenger DUO" with in-depth market analyses of individual needs for getting around in urban environments. The owner carries out the interactive data exchange with the vehicle dashboard (graphical screen as a dashboard). Digitalization is no longer a foreign word, with his smartphone.
Gerald Vollnhals is the visionary at Bio-Hybrid. As a graduate physicist, he is the technical guarantor of success. His explanations of the vehicle technology were fascinating. The selected drive system is a "bio-hybrid" in two respects. At the beginning of the start-up process, as with a real bicycle, power has to be used to get the vehicle going. Two-wheel hub motors take over the mechanical transmission of power from the pedals to the drive wheels as the speed increases. In the stabilized driving state, the energy is then transferred from the pedaling person via the generator to the batteries. The whole principle is, in short, a fascinating technical solution.
A continuation will follow in the next issue.
28.01.2021, HPE
Good to know:
Hybrid is the technical term for a vehicle driven by at least one electric motor and another energy converter, in this case, the human.
Do you have questions about our ePedelec? Then contact Hans-Peter.
Would you like to learn more about the Bio-Hybrid? Click here to go to the homepage.
Cédric Leuba opens new workshop in Fleurier
Our mobility consultant Cédric Leuba has set up a workshop on 120 square meters in Fleurier (NE) in recent weeks. The workshop is open to customers and interested parties by telephone appointment. Cédric thus complements our Ecublens service center in western Switzerland and can ensure repairs and service for around 60 DXP and 60 PAH. But private vehicles can also be serviced directly in the workshop. He can also receive interested parties in the workshop and offer test drives.
27.01.2021, FAS
Good to know:
Cédric Leuba joined us in September 2020 as a mobility consultant, covering Western Switzerland in sales B2C. He also heads the KYBURZ team in French-speaking Switzerland. He will realize around 25 test drive days in the whole of French-speaking Switzerland from March to October 2021.
Cédric worked as a service partner with his company Pro2Roues in St-Aubin. He knows our vehicles inside out and can therefore advise customers optimally.
Would you like to know more about the workshop? Cédric will be happy to receive your e-mail in French :)
A day in the life of Ali Shabani
Erza Mehmeti: How long have you been with KYBURZ?
Ali Shabani: I have been with KYBURZ since October 2010.
Erza: What are your activities?
Ali: I am 50% the technical disposition manager and 50% in the service workshop. In the disposition, I check the service partners' estimates and answer technical questions of the partners or customers. In the workshop, I repair vehicles or do service. My know-how is always up to date by alternating between the two departments.
Erza: What is your typical daily routine?
Ali: I usually start work between 07:00-07:30. It also depends on whether I am in the workshop or the office. If I'm in the office, I first read through my e-mails and check the service partners' estimates. Then, from 08.00 onwards, I also answer the phones. I also continue to work on projects and consult with Josip and the workshop or with Zopfi regarding the tours. Since recently, I have also been giving service training in mechanics for our service partners. Usually, the training takes place in our building, but it took place online for the first time. Also, I was working in the webshop for 2 years, and therefore I am also the substitute for Mätz and Tonino when they are on vacation. At about 5:30 p.m., I'm usually done with my work and go home.
Erza: What do you like? What do you like less?
Ali: I especially like that it is very varied and exciting. It never gets boring. New products are constantly being added, and there is always something new to learn. You also have many options at KYBURZ, for example, in terms of training. Another positive thing is that I live very close to the company and have a concise way to work.
Erza: What do you like to do in your free time?
Ali: I like to spend my free time with my family or go to the gym or play soccer.
29.01.2021, ERM
Webshop: Article of the week
Snow chains set
The perfect grip even in the snow? No problem - mount the snow chains simply and easily on the rear wheels of your KYBURZ vehicle. This way, you will safely reach your destination, even on snowy roads. The snow chains are available in our webshop for CHF 177.70 incl. VAT.
27.01.2021, MAR
Good to know:
If you leave the snow chains on the vehicle for several days, they can become loose. This can cause you to lose grip or even lose the chains. Therefore, check at regular intervals whether the snow chains are still firmly attached to the wheel. If not, tighten them immediately.
