Microlino News

The solution for the shrinking A-segment and sustainable mobility

• The Microcar Segment is dying: Fewer and fewer microcars from the so-called A-segment are being produced, although they are urgently needed for urban life and climate protection.

• «Reduce to the max»: The vision of Swiss Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek for a mini-car is now passionately continued by Wim, Oliver and Merlin Ouboter.

• Trade-in discount for urban two-seaters: Owners of urban two-seaters like the Smart fortwo receive an attractive successor solution with the Microlino.

The Swiss family company Micro, known for its world-famous kick scooters and the Microlino, is raising its voice and fighting against the extinction of microcars (A-segment). The trend of recent years among major automobile manufacturers to produce larger and heavier vehicles is clear and alarming.

On a daily route of 30 kilometers at an average speed of 35 km/h, an average of 1.2 people drive through Swiss streets. Nevertheless, vehicle owners are forced to switch to larger and heavier vehicles due to the shrinking supply of A-segment vehicles.

Microlino highlights the importance of micro vehicles and incentivizes owners of microcars to remain loyal to micro-mobility when changing vehicles. With this step, Microlino continues its mission to minimize environmental impact and reduce the space needed in cities. The vehicle concept of the Microlino picks up on the motto «reduced to the max» known from Smart and continues the vision.

The A-Segment: A Key to Reducing the CO2 Footprint

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It is crucial to find solutions that reduce our CO2 footprint. One of the most promising approaches is the increased use of micro vehicles for daily routes, especially in urban and suburban areas.

At a time when the A-segment is being ignored by major manufacturers, L7e manufacturers like Micro are filling this gap. Microcars offer numerous advantages that significantly improve not only the environment but also the quality of life in our cities.

L7e vehicles like the Microlino require on average 60% less energy in production and use than larger vehicles. For example, the Microlino's electricity consumption is around 7.3 kWh per 100 km. This is roughly half the electricity consumption of the smallest M1-segment electric vehicles.

Efficient Space Utilization: Micro vehicles Create Space in Cities

In addition to being environmentally friendly, micro vehicles also offer significant advantages in terms of space savings. In densely populated urban areas, available space is scarce and precious. Large cars take up a lot of space both on the road and when parking. Micro vehicles, on the other hand, require significantly less space, leading to more efficient use of urban space.

Three microcars like the Microlino fit on a conventional parking space. This not only reduces the need for parking spaces but also helps to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

The trend to improve the quality of life in cities and use space more efficiently is already being adopted in some cities. For example, in Paris or Basel, SUV owners pay higher parking fees than owners of smaller vehicles.

Microlino Fills the Gap for Urban Two-Seaters

Currently, thousands of urban two-seaters, including over 25,000 Smart fortwo cars with an average age of 12 years, are driving on Swiss roads. As some manufacturers, including Smart, have changed their strategy and now focus on larger vehicles, suitable successor models for these compact city cars are lacking. Here comes Microlino as an innovative and environmentally friendly successor solution.

«We want to continue the vision that Swiss entrepreneur Nicolas Hayek once brought to life with the Swatch-Car (now known as the Smart fortwo). The Microlino offers a sustainable and space-saving alternative for urban mobility and sets new standards for environmentally friendly driving», says Microlino Co-Founder Merlin Ouboter.

Microlino offers an attractive trade-in discount of CHF 1,000 for owners of urban two-seaters like the Smart fortwo who want to exchange their vehicle for a Microlino.

The Microlino: The Future of Urban Mobility

The Microlino reaches an impressive top speed of 90 km/h and is available in three battery versions with ranges of 93, 177, or 228 km. It requires only a third of a parking space, and thanks to the clever front door, passengers can get directly onto the sidewalk when parking crosswise. Despite its compact size, the Microlino offers generous space for two people side by side, and the 230-liter trunk has enough storage space for three crates of beer.

The Microlino is available in ten different colors and can be equipped with seats made of fabric or vegan leather. A sunroof provides the ultimate summer feeling, and additional details like a sports mode make it a real lifestyle vehicle.

«We didn't just want to bring a practical vehicle to the market but also one that puts a smile on your face while driving», says Co-Founder Oliver Ouboter.

Although the Microlino represents a new product category, it was developed to the highest automotive standards. Furthermore, the Microlino is the only light vehicle in the world with a self-supporting body made of steel and aluminum. This construction is safer and more durable than the tubular frame commonly used in this category. In addition, the outer skin of the body is also made of aluminum and steel, while comparable vehicles often use plastic. The Microlino is produced in its own production facility in La Loggia near Turin.

Microlino - Technical Specifications

About Micro

Since its founding in 1999 by Wim Ouboter, Micro has established itself as a pioneer of urban mobility. With the invention of the first kick scooter, Micro coined the term "micro-mobility." In 2013, Micro expanded its scope to electric mobility and launched the first e-scooter. Since then, the company has continued to develop its electric product lines and started collaborations with car manufacturers such as Mercedes, Mazda, and Peugeot. The development of the Microlino began in 2015 under the direction of Wim Ouboter's sons Merlin and Oliver. Originally intended as a PR stunt for the Geneva Motor Show, public interest exceeded all expectations, leading Micro to decide on series development. As a 100% family-owned company, Micro is characterized by its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. The company has received numerous awards, including the Best Design Award for the Microlino and the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies Award.