‘An insult to our name’: AfD urged to stop using Simson mopeds at events

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Kate Connolly in BerlinFebruary 17, 2026 at 04:02 PM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

The Jewish descendants of the Simson motorbike company, founded in Germany in 1856, are demanding that the far-right AfD party stop using the Simson moped in its promotional activities. The Simson family, who fled Germany during the Nazi era, views the AfD's association with the moped as a "mockery of their history." The AfD, particularly in eastern Germany, uses the Simson, a popular vehicle in the former GDR, to promote camaraderie and project an image of freedom and independence. The party has even advocated for the moped to be recognized as "intangible cultural heritage." However, the Simson family, now living in the US, finds any connection to the AfD repulsive due to the party's extremist ideologies. They are urging the AfD to cease using the Simson name, fearing it will become synonymous with the party.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 30% Ernst Thälmann 30% Berlin Wall 40% Dennis Baum 40% Thuringia ×250% Suhl ×250% Björn Höcke ×260% Nazis 60% Germany ×270% Simson ×780% Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) ×990%

Keywords

afd 100% simson moped 90% appropriation 80% far-right populists 70% german history 70% extremist ideologies 60% cultural heritage 60% anti-immigrant 50% thuringia 50% family history 40%