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[H1] Welcome to Katanga's Website!
As exclusive producer of the WAW velomobile since 2012, Katanga is also active in the development and production of other innovative cycles. Our products offer extremely energy efficient, clean, healthy and exciting transport solutions.
Most documents and the website are in English but we can also fluently communicate in Dutch, French, German and Czech. Feel free to contact us by email or phone.
Stephane Boving, company manager.
[H3] Latest News

[IMG: A New Partnership: QuadVelo]

[H2] A New Partnership: QuadVelo

Apr / 01 / 2026   ::
0 Comment

Following our previous call for a strategic partner, we are pleased to announce that QuadVelo ...
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[IMG: UPDATE VM45 project]

[H2] UPDATE VM45 project

Jul / 24 / 2023   ::
20 Comments

At previous update we were in the middle of the production of models and forms for the body ...
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[IMG: Newsletter April 2023]

[H2] Newsletter April 2023

Apr / 25 / 2023   ::
2 Comments

In this newsletter you receive a broad update of our product portfolio, sales levels, R&D, ...
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Copyright 2020 Katanga s.r.o. All rights reserved. | Website created by Blue Kiwi

[IMG: A New Partnership: QuadVelo]

[H1] A New Partnership: QuadVelo
UncategorizedApr 01 20260 CommentFollowing our previous call for a strategic partner, we are pleased to announce that QuadVelo has joined forces with Katanga.  QuadVelo brings strong financial backing as well as additional business, ranging from sourcing and assembly to R&D. By joining forces, the already attractive Quadvelo, will be elevated to higher level in terms of ergonomics, comfort, quality, speed and cost efficiency in production.
[IMG: QuadVelo]
One of the new features of the QuadVelo is that the body is produced as one complete piece and can be mounted on a previously assembled chassis.

To support this growth, additional space became available thanks to the construction of a new production hall near the Austrian border at the CampVelo site. Since January 2025 all velomobile production has been relocated there. Production of the QuadVelo and PONY4 remains in Brno, which also continues to host our main R&D activities.
A new development within Katanga’s velomobile activities is the reintroduction of the Alleweder4 building kit, previously offered by Alligt. This is a joint initiative together with Alligt and PassionVelomobile. Katanga’s role is to source and collect all parts, pack them and ship them promptly upon customers order. Shipping is straightforward within the EU and also possible in other parts of the world, already 2 kits where shipped to the USA.
[IMG: Alleweder4]
The Alleweder4 offers many advantages as a solution for daily personal transport. The building kit concept provides the most affordable entry into velomobile world, while also allowing users to learn about construction and maintenance in a hands-on way. Since the start-up of this activity at the end of 2024, 40 kits have already been delivered. Testing is possible at our CampVelo location and the kit can be ordered directly from Katanga by a simple request to info@katanga.eu
Visit the dedicated website of the Alleweder for more info.
The fast velomobile market has faced some challenges, which also affected sales of the WAW velomobile. However, the WAW has recently gained renewed attention, and sales prospects are improving. Soon the 700th WAW will be produced! While some dealers have ceased operations (BikeEvolution in Texas, Cycles JV in France, …) several new sones have emerged with fresh ideas and strong motivation, including Passion-Velomobile, HoVelo and Northland Velo. They highlighted that the WAW remains highly relevant thanks to its unique features. They also demonstrated that a sportive configured WAW does not weigh significantly more than newer models and remains very competitively priced.
[IMG: WAW]
David, dedicated WAW assembler and enthusiastic velomobilist  in our new work shop.

R&D on the VELION (formerly VM45) has resumed after securing resources for a new development phase. Bringing the VELION to the market requires significant investment, expertise, time and dedication. The homologation request can only begin once technical development is complete, and this work is still ongoing. The development team has been strengthened by Dario and Nathan from BikeToTheFuture (Switzerland), who bring expertise in robotics and electronics and are responsible for integrating and programming the motor controller. The technical performance of the new drivetrain is impressive, with regenerative braking so powerful that mechanical brakes are rarely needed. Visit us at SPEZI if you wish to see this work in progress and discuss it with our engineers. The earliest delivery for a homologated VELION is now expected by the end of 2027, although non-homologated versions may be available earlier.
[IMG: PONY4]
Sales of the PONY4 are expected to reach around 50 pieces this year and we are confident this will continue to grow in the coming years. We are nearing completion of our R&D project on semi-trailers for the PONY4. Several applications are currently in the testing phase ahead of market launch, including a cargo semi-trailer and a camper semi-trailer. The camper  version will be offered as a building kit. In addition, we plan to offer individual components for self-builders working on their own project.
[IMG: CAMPER]
the cargo semi-trailer: inertia brakes on all 4 suspended wheels, a box of  1,77 m3 made of light but stiff honeycomb structure.

[IMG: A semi-trailer Camper]
A semi-trailer Camper, inertia brakes on suspended wheels. A light CroMo frame and body of aluminium plates. A solar panel of 300 WP allows swift travelling independent from the grid on sunny days

[IMG: A semi-trailer Camper]

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Copyright 2020 Katanga s.r.o. All rights reserved. | Website created by Blue Kiwi

[IMG: UPDATE VM45 project]

[H1] UPDATE VM45 project
VM45Jul 24 202320 CommentsAt previous update we were in the middle of the production of models and forms for the body parts. The biggest, central body part, was milled as last and this was a very critical milestone. Due to the size it was milled in several steps from several blocks of foam which were afterwards glued together. A carrier from wood and steel was built to move this piece without damaging it. It was necessary to keep this big part suspended because it was milled from  PU-foam of 30 kg/m3, which is so soft that the milled model would be damaged if put on the ground. Transport from the miller to the producer of forms was done very carefully. While last finalized the model and prepared it for the form production, we created a structure to define the position of the separation between the different forms around this model (upper, under, left side and right side). We choose to do that with the computer model in order to obtain a more precise result and symmetry than if done manually.  Those who wish to know and see more about above can watch next Laidback Bike Report.

This whole process took more time than planned and we only got the first body parts during the month of May. The first set was not yet cut exactly as needed and with the help of printed paper plans or 3D printed jigs we defined where to cut holes and borders of doors, entry holes, wheel openings etc. Some reinforcement also needed to be glued exactly on the right place. Then came the moment of truth… do all parts fit correctly together? Thank God, yes! It took some time and the cuttings needed to be adapted but once done properly the result was perfect. Even the door hinge system worked exactly as hoped.
As all other parts for the drive train, suspension, transmission, steering and lights where ready, assembly continued without delay. It was nice to see how well our team worked together, how everybody came with ideas and proposals how to solve issues and how at the end of each day the progress was visible. By the end of May the first VM45 was standing on its wheels. Entry door and back door with a lock system were mounted and finally the electric system with lights & horn and the removable race hood.

First testing around the work shop was very exciting! Longer tests were done at our new site in Vratěnin. We made a small presentation of the VM45 in video form.
Stepping in and out is so easy thanks to the big entry door and the low entrance level. The dimensions inside and space for luggage are very generous. My dog can enter through the rear door and has place to travel with me. The design is clean and attractive, with some audacious but at the end successful features like the asymmetrical entry door and the back hatch. The construction is robust and stiff, the wheel wells glued inside the body have a specific form to reinforce the body from inside. No part is flat, even the bottom received a wave form to increase stiffness.

The Valeo-Cyclee Mid-drive integrates motor and gearbox. The unit is very powerful and has several innovating features: the automatic shifting works great and the reverse drive is a legal requirement for the VM45. It seems to be a perfect choice for the VM45 and Valeo has set out a road map for solving features that are not yet working well or not active at all. One of them is regeneration, which is a complex thing as regeneration currents can be very high and should not damage battery or electronics. In parallel, we need also to do lots of testing to fine-tune the parametrization of this unit before we can use its full potential. The noise created by the Valeo-Cyclee is quite high in comparison with other E-bike motors. On the VM45 I do not feel noise to be such an issue but less would indeed be better. Valeo is working on lowering the noise and the result will be ready before the end of the year.
The cruising speed is 45 km/h as this is also the maximal limit for the e-assist. At this speed the motor is only assisting just enough to keep this speed. Thanks to the efficient aerodynamics and the low rolling resistance this does not consume much energy and the range with the 1240 Wh Li-Ion battery exceeds largely 200 km in ECO mode. Not too steep hills do not slow the VM45 much under 45 Km/h which helps to keep high average speeds from doorstep to doorstep very close to those of a car.
The motor multiplies the strength in your legs in such way that you still feel that you are cycling and not sitting in a small electric car. The ride-feeling and the extremely stable cornering motivates you to ride sportly and pedal hard but you can also decide to ride relax. The front suspension is stiffer and has a shorter travel than the rear suspension, which is much softer. This contributes to a good adherence on the road even on gravel and a perfect traction. Indeed, thanks to the independent, soft rear suspension and the very low unsprung mass of the rear wheels, the use of the differential does not result in loss of traction due to a slipping rear wheel but to a permanent traction equally divided on both wheels.
Steering is very intuitive and even at high speeds in windy weather you stay under control. The brake capacity of the drum brakes on the front wheels is very efficient and the inboard disc brake on the rear axle will help mainly as a parking brake and in big descends to overcome overheating of front brakes.
Lights and horns are powerful and selected for the category L6e-A. The head light has 3 functions: position light, passing beam and driving beam head light. The rear light incorporates also the stop light and the rear registration plate lamp. Nice direction indicators, a powerful motorcycle horn and retro-reflectors complete this equipment.
That far for the update. Now we first need to recuperate and take some rest, the last months have really been very demanding.  From September on we will work in parallel on one side durability tests & solving all child-diseases and on the other side the type approval as a light on-road quad for having the legal possibility to enjoy e-assist till 45 km/h in the EU. Difficult to estimate how long that might take but less than one year would be too optimistic. Till we are well advanced in this process we prefer not to take orders for a homologated VM45.
A possibility to start up sooner with sales would be to offer it as an electric bicycle version, limited to 25 km/h and a nominal 250 Watt motor for which no complex homologation process is required. Another possibility would be to make a variant without motor at all on which common mid-drive motors can be installed by the customer. Both last versions could start up much faster. It is difficult to communicate already now final sales price as we will need to negotiate prices for special components but roughly estimated a variant without motor would cost EXW 11.000 EUR before VAT and a version with motor EXW 13.000 EUR before VAT. Let us know if you have any interest in those variants.
After our previous Update we received many support, positive reactions and advices from you. You have sent several ideas for a commercial name for the VM45, we did not made a final selection yet but have some favourites and will decide soon.
There were also several questions and for time reasons I could not react on all of them. I hope that this newsletter clarified most of the open questions.
Let me close this letter by thanking all who participated in this development project: the whole Katanga team, our suppliers who work in partnership with us, our customers and dealers, the Brno University of Technology and you, who follow the progress and support us.
Vratěnín, 22th of July 2023.

[H3] 20 Comments

Brecht
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July 29, 2023 at 2:56 pm
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Reply

Chapeau!

admin
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September 8, 2023 at 3:09 pm
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Reply

merci!

Brecht Schatteman
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August 2, 2023 at 12:52 pm
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Reply

If there is a version without e-assist so people can add there own mid drive motors, what is the R point of VM45? Would be a shame if you would need to get the Valeo system if you want to go faster than 25 km/h assisted. It makes the whole system dependent on that supplier. Unless of course it would be possible to replace the Valeo system for another and stay in compliance with EU law.

admin
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August 2, 2023 at 2:17 pm
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Reply

Today almost everything is regulated and it limits possibilities for small companies and for innovating type of mobility. We wish to offer a street legal 45 km/h e-assisted and obtain a type approval for it. This homologation process is costly and only valid for one type. If we have a type approval for a VM45 with the Valeo, it is not valid for a VM45 with another gear box or motor. Yes, we are evaluating to offer a VM45 without motor. The height of the R-point is higher then 400 mm (see specifications in the table) otherwise the EU regulation 168/2013 excludes it and we can not obtain a type approval.

François
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August 14, 2023 at 10:34 pm
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Reply

Hi, Great achievement ! If 45 kph homologation is one or two year ahead, but you already can start production, of course you should start selling dry or 25 kph models ! Selling dry seems risky to me, as no one will really keep a 80 kg machine unassisted, meaning legal somehow, so I would preferably see 25 kph (250w or 1000w? Still from Valeo?) to undercut the temptation for crazy machines. This 25kph model could stay even in parallel of the 45 kph one as not everyone want to deal with insurance, parking ticket or avoid bike-path...
It all look good for homologation except the seat, there are so much space now that it seems impossible to resist to G-force using shoulders anymore, it will have to be by a larger seat strongly attached to the velomobile IMO.
Price of battery is said to go down (at least for car industry), I would communicate on amazing (real!) range, like 500 km, for the buzz. Even if 4-5 kWh battery (25-30 kg) is optional of course. It will highlight the efficiency and create curiosity to you creation. Who will do trans-europa in record days for the publicity ? (Warsaw-Paris-Lisbonne https://www.eyes-on-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/EuroVelo_Routes_2019-907x1024.jpg PM me ;-) You need a lot of buzz !!!!!
Good luck.

admin
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September 8, 2023 at 2:51 pm
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Reply

Thank you for the support!
We are working in parrallel on a universal version which can be sold without motor but can be easily equipped with different types of motors. Once ready this version can be sold before the type-approval will be ready.
A bucket seat might the solution to sit stable in sharp turns, we plan to do a trial with that.

De BIBER
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August 15, 2023 at 8:01 am
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Reply

Hi,

Thank you for developing such a good mobility solution.

Do you think that VM45 could perform in this kind of "bumpy gravel road" : https://www.google.com/maps/@50.2446101,5.2674907,3a,61.4y,156.79h,84.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8FkyUyLaqjSB1MHmiHLoeg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu.

With a few modifications, this would make it possible to consider shortcuts, and thus be truly competitive with the car.

Kind regards,

Lary de Biber
Belgium

admin
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September 8, 2023 at 2:45 pm
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Reply

Yes that should be possible if you tra to avoid the pot holes like when you do with any other vehicle. But it will look dirty :)

Roland Gilliam
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September 5, 2023 at 7:55 pm
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Reply

I am interested in the VM45 two color paint with or with out motor. I would most likley order through bicycle Evolution in Plano Texas.

admin
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September 8, 2023 at 2:43 pm
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Reply

Thank you for your interest! It is still too early to place orders but we stay in touch. Bicycle Evolution is no option any more. We had to stop working with them. They were not able to ship our WAW velomobiles out even 6 months after production while when we do it directly it takes 2 weeks max.

Fred
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November 6, 2023 at 8:36 pm
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Reply

Adepte du vélo droit. J'ai possédé un bent mais je ne l'ai gardé que 6 ans et j'ai peu roulé avec. Je trouvais cela sympa quand même. Je fais du vélotaf (15 km pour 160m de D+) 3 à 4 fois par semaine de février à mi décembre. Habitant à la pointe de la Bretagne je prends la voiture les jours de mauvais temps ou jours de récupération. J'envisage d'acquérir dans les 18 mois prochain un vélomobile pour ne plus utiliser la voiture. Ce type de vélomobile me conviendrait donc très bien. L'assistance électrique me permettrait de ne pas arriver en nage au travail et de pouvoir respecter ma récupération.
J'étais intéressé par un e-WAW mais je suis prêt à patienter.
J'ai hâte de le voir au catalogue de Katanga.

admin
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November 7, 2023 at 9:00 am
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Reply

Bonjour, nous vous tiendrons informé via notre site des progres. Nous essayerons aussi d'organiser des possibilités de test ainsi vous pourrez décider ce qui vous conviendra le mieux, EWAW ou VM45. Nous avons encore pas mal de travail...

Per Cronholm
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November 13, 2023 at 1:47 am
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Reply

I am so much looking forward to this, to go on long camping trips with my dog in the rear! I have told the Swedish distributor Alve at liggcykel.shop I want one, with or without motor, ASAP! :)

I have been thinking about a suitable name, and many recumbents and velomobiles have animal names. I have an Orca velomobile, a Seiran (rabbit) and a Scorpion recumbents. Then of course we have the Pony, along with Snoek (pike), Aquila (eagle), Kestrel, Hawk, and Gekko, to name but a few.

VM45 is big, so it deserves a big name; that of a whale! In Herman Melville's classical novel, captain Ahab sets out to catch the white sperm whale (no, I don't suggest that name) Moby Dick. "MOBY" is short and catchy, easy to say in most languages and gives associations to mobility and PONY.

admin
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November 30, 2023 at 9:56 am
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Reply

Hi Per,
Thank you for very much for your support. I will contact you directly when we are ready to offer it for sales, with or without motor. I appreciate your proposals for the name and you are right, MOBY is a good name. We did however already choose

[IMG: Newsletter April 2023]

[H1] Newsletter April 2023
UncategorizedApr 25 20232 CommentsIn this newsletter you receive a broad update of our product portfolio, sales levels, R&D, market and internal developments, changes and perspectives. Many people have been following and supporting us since we started with the WAW and since we last informed you, so much happened  internally and around us. Let me start with an overview of our activities today:
Production and sales of own products:
the WAW velomobile
the PONY4 quad
Production and other services related to not-owned products:
the Armadillo of VELOVE
Fahrradverkleidung.de
R&D projects:
Improvements of existing products
New options for existing products
for the Armadillo on request of VELOVE
The VM45 project

The VM45 project is well described in the previous newsletter. You can expect an update on the VM45 in the form of a specific newsletter as soon as we receive the first set of body parts and start to assemble. Our partner is intensively working on these body parts now and has everything ready besides the main central part. Other parts for transmission, pedal frame, drive train, light system, etc. are all ordered, produced or in production and being delivered now. It is very exciting to receive and hold parts designed during several months on the computer. Till now all looks very good and promising!
Regrettably, we will not be able to show you the VM45 on SPEZI this year… the first assemblies will be in May. Testing and evaluation will follow immediately, after that we decide what the next steps will be.

Our first and still most successful product is the WAW velomobile. Sales have been as expected in 2022 with 50 unities sold, an average level compared with the past but realized in a complicated economical and logistic environment: supply chain disorders due to Covid, missing sea containers, energy crisis in Europe due to the conflict in Ukraine, price hikes, … Thanks to comfortable stock levels, helpful partners and understanding customers this has not stopped us to produce and deliver without interruptions.
Some smaller R&D projects led to improvements in the WAW:
Rohloff shifting, change from short grip shift on the right steering handle to a long grip shift on the left steering handle. Shifting is easier even with sweaty hands. Shifting cables are shorter, make less bows and do not encumber luggage space.
Tail T3 cut out for better access to the valve. This allows to pump up the tire of the 28 inch wheel of hard tail variants without having to partly remove the tail.
Addition of a coil spring DNM shock on the option list: cheaper and more robust than the Suntour air-shock but less possibilities for fine-tuning.

We are now working on WAW630 and this means that we produced 500 units since Katanga took over the WAW production from Fietser.be end 2011! When Katanga completely redesigned the WAW in 2014 and added the rear suspension in 2016, we kept the timeless design of the central cockpit with removable nose, tail, manhole cover and race hood. This modular design offers plenty of advantages like accessibility, exchangeability of damage parts, possibility of compact/larger parts dependant on driver size or esthetical preferences.
The WAW also differs from all other velomobiles on the market by its variability in configuration. It can be configured as a light and stiff sportive bike, as a comfortable e-assisted velo or anything in between. The WAW offers a healthy base for any type of transmission (from classical cassette, PINION to Rohloff) or any type of e-assist (from Bafang mid-drive motors to hub motors with or without freewheel). Moreover, WAW owners can quite easily adapt it when in the course of time their needs or wishes change.

The multitude in options and configurations makes it sometimes difficult for customers to make a choice. Do not hesitate to ask our help when evaluating the purchase of a WAW. Write us and give a short description of yourself, the main use you wish to make of your WAW and the type of roads you will most often use. We will send you a configurator with a selection of options fit for you, you can adapt it and send back to us till we find your ideal selection. If you are in travel range the best is to make an appointment, visit us and a make test-ride.
If you are closer to one of our dealers then contact them in the first place of course. The added value of a dealer is that he is closer to you, has minimally one demo-WAW for testing and a lot of experience. We believe in a long-term cooperation with dealers and offer them a protected market big enough to have an interesting turn-over that allows them to have a return on investment and costs. This protection ends if a dealer can not offer test-rides, does not respond on requests or does not reach a minimal sales level per year. In that case we are ready at Katanga to take over and deliver directly to you.

Our initial dealer network did suffer last years for several reasons. Some dealers with whom we started are now at retirement age and not all transmitted their activity to a younger partner. Other dealers did suffer too much during the covid period, went out of business or did not recover completely. This needs to be addressed and the solution is different per case:
We can sell directly to all who have no dealer in a reasonable distance. You receive a personal service with professional advice and guidance through the sales process. We have years of experience with safe shipping of the WAW all over the world. Delivery time between order confirmation and delivery at your door is in between 2 and 3 months (not only for Europe but also Canada and USA).
If visiting us is in your reach, ask for an appointment. We organize a test-ride and free time to answer all your questions.
Germany: we welcome 2 or 3 motivated dealers spread on the Western part of the country.
Canada: We have never stopped delivering directly to Canadian customers and are the best placed for advising and shipping.
USA: our dealer BicycleEvolution in Texas is the advised choice if you go there for testing and count with their service. But in case you order without testing and if you are far away from Texas, BicycleEvolution is not the advised choice. Please contact us directly.

The focus was more on the PONY4 and VM45 last years and less on the WAW. After moving the velomobile production to our new place (see further in this newsletter) we plan several actions to bring the WAW back on the front stage as it deserves more attention! Let me share 2 videos made recently by two WAW users. The first is from David, known from all the WAW tutorial videos, filming his morning ride to work. (Incredible how this guy can talk when speeding in his WAW J ) The second is from Michael who has now 41.000 km on the odometer and made a global face-lift of his WAW. Thank you, David and Michael!
David to work at 45km/h average
Michael’s WAW380 with 41.000km

The PONY4 is an innovative bike with a big potential. It is a very practical choice for all who need stability or increased cargo space and has little competition on the market. Everybody who tries it is enthusiastic. The sales evolution evolved very positively last 3 years increasing from 12 in 2020, 25 in 2021 to 36 in 2022. These sales have been realized using our existing dealer network from the WAW and by direct sales.
All components are in stock, and we react swiftly on any order with lead times of less than one month. Our ambition is to grow fast to sales numbers well above 100 pieces per year and have next action plan to reach that level:
Increase the visibility by publishing more videos on the social media. Show in these videos how the PONY4 can serve different types of users. Indeed, the videos of the PONY4-Dog inspired lot of dog owners and we need now videos of different target users, for instance PONY4-Family to inspire young families.
Get the PONY4 in a broader dealer network specialized in recumbent or cargo bikes. It is important that people can test-ride the PONY4 as the positive riding experience often leads to a purchase.

The actual R&D project related to the PONY4 is the semi-trailer and its applications. We are in the stadium of testing a first batch of semi-trailer chassis. The semi-trailer has 2 suspended wheels with inertia drum brakes. It is a modular concept as we are aware that the market wishes flexibility in sizes of trailers. If you have a personal project, we can already offer you a building kit that you need to complete with plywood plates.
We advance on specific applications for the semi-trailer like a camper for travelling. Finally, we also test out a different type of rear axle for the PONY4 to be used in hilly region in combination with big loads.
Irena and I use the PONY4 since 2020 almost every day to commute to work and for traveling. Irena made two nice videos:
PONY4 DOG
PONY4 SOLAR

The cooperation with VELOVE was in 2022 a combination of assembly of the Armadillo and a R&D project to test out different types of drive trains.
The cooperation with VELOVE has indeed changed since their change of business model from selling cargo bikes to selling the service of last mile deliveries. Katanga evolves from being a production partner to being a full service partner including advanced R&D and prototyping. The transformation of our partnership is ongoing and the shift from assembly to a diverse service offer has freed up production capacity. We are ready for new challenges and more partnerships to fill up the gap left, especially now that we will soon have even more assembly capacity available.

Yes, 3 years ago, my wife Irena and I had been looking for a parcel close to an international bicycle trail with the intention to move there and run a campsite in summertime. We moved gradually further away from the city and finally found a dream place at the Austrian border. The site was used by the army for border control. Situated in the iron curtain belt where human activity was constrained during the communist period, this region has been very well conserved, is very little populated, with little car traffic, a beautiful nature and several cultural attractions. The EUROVELO 13 and the Prague-Vienna cycle trails pass just in front of us.
Works have started soon after the purchase and in a couple of weeks we hope to open our campsite: “Camp Velo”. The website www.campvelo.cz is active but for the moment only in Czech language and pictures need to be replaced as soon as we finish the works.

As till a couple of months ago Katanga needed more space for assembly, we have added next to the camp site a workshop for bikes and the production of the WAW and VM45 will be moved to this place. We will also receive here WAW customers and organise test-rides. The roads are simply ideal to discover the full potential of velomobiles. A couple of PONY4 will be available for rent.
The assembly of the PONY4 and Armadillo stays in Brno together with purchase and R&D activities. I plan to work every week at least 2 days in Brno and we built there a small room to accommodate for the nights.
With the sale of our apartment in Brno city centre and some extra financial resources, still to be found, we hope to reconstruct the military barracks into a guesthouse in the next 2-3 years.

Last 5 years Katanga was able to operate without need for capital injection. Profits stayed in the company and were used to increase our stock of components and to finance R&D. Now the situation looks different. The homologation of the VM45 will request more investments and development costs which can’t be covered only by the cash flow of Katanga and I planned to use my personal reserves for the reconstruction of the guest house.
One strategy that would allow to continue with all projects would be to take a partner in Katanga. This partner should share our values and believe in the potential of our product range. Besides participating financially he would ideally strengthen the sales capacity of Katanga or bring an additional business so that we can use our team and infrastructure in an optimal way. Contact me if you have serious interest.
Hope you enjoyed this newsletter and thank you for your support. Hope to see a lot of people at our stand at SPEZI next week!
Stephane Boving
+420 602 724 063

[H3] 2 Comments

BARES
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September 19, 2023 at 1:28 pm
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Reply

Avec vos multiples partenaires et vos développements , envisagez vous un pony 4 ( 1 adult + 1 adult) avec remorque ou semi remorque adaptée au camping et capable de monter par la route le Col du Tourmalet , France( alt 2115 m) avec assistance ou sans assistance électrique. Quelles sont les dimensions de la plateforme du Pony4 LONG disponibles derrière l'aplomb du siège . Bonne continuation à toute l'équipe.

admin
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September 22, 2023 at 7:24 am
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Dear Francis,
We do not plan in Katanga the development of a "tandem" PONY4 but this could be a task for our partner in Germany, www.velomo.eu , who accepts individual development projects based on the PONY4. The semi-trailer however is an actual project in Katanga, the first prototypes are in testing and till now we are very satisfied. The semi-trailer has inertia brakes and suspended wheels. Our R&D team will add a camper on top of this semi-trailer incl. a solar roof. Also a new variant of e-assist, more powerful and with regen possibility is on the program. This PONY4 solution will be able to climb the Col du Tourmalet if you also pedal hard :) Dimensions of the load platform for the PONY4 long frame are 510 mm x 1080 mm. (The rear seat support is attached on this plate). Greetings

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