Suisse
Micro
Micro is the automotive brand of Micro Mobility Systems AG, a Swiss company founded in 1996 by Wim Ouboter and based in Kusnacht, in the canton of Zurich. Originally, Micro made its name in a completely different field: micromobility. Wim Ouboter popularized the modern foldable scooter in the late 1990s, and the family-run company, today led together with his sons Merlin and Oliver Ouboter, has sold millions of kickscooters, children's models (Mini Micro) and electric versions around the world. Drawing on this expertise in lightweight urban mobility, the Ouboter family unveiled in 2016, at the Geneva Motor Show, an electric microcar concept named Microlino, directly inspired by the famous 1950s BMW Isetta bubble car. The project went through several years of development and legal disputes with a former industrial partner before Micro fully regained control of manufacturing. Series production of the Microlino 2.0 finally began in 2022 at a dedicated plant in Turin, Italy, where about a hundred people assemble the vehicle. In 2024, Micro announced that it had produced nearly 3,700 Microlinos and held the top position in the Swiss market for heavy quadricycles (the L7e category). The lineup expanded with the Microlino Lite (2024), a speed-limited version accessible with a moped license, and the Microlino Spiaggina/Spider, a convertible variant. Micro remains a private company, controlled by the Ouboter family, with no affiliation to a major automotive group. In North America, the brand is still mainly known for its scooters (distributed under the name Micro Kickboard in the United States); the Microlino is not yet sold there, although Micro has mentioned an adaptation to American standards and is seeking partners for a possible launch, possibly under the status of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV).
ActiveÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireEuropéennes
History
History of Micro
Micro is the automotive brand of Micro Mobility Systems AG, a Swiss company founded in 1996 by Wim Ouboter and based in Kusnacht, in the canton of Zurich. Originally, Micro made its name in a completely different field: micromobility. Wim Ouboter popularized the modern foldable scooter in the late 1990s, and the family-run company, today led together with his sons Merlin and Oliver Ouboter, has sold millions of kickscooters, children's models (Mini Micro) and electric versions around the world. Drawing on this expertise in lightweight urban mobility, the Ouboter family unveiled in 2016, at the Geneva Motor Show, an electric microcar concept named Microlino, directly inspired by the famous 1950s BMW Isetta bubble car. The project went through several years of development and legal disputes with a former industrial partner before Micro fully regained control of manufacturing. Series production of the Microlino 2.0 finally began in 2022 at a dedicated plant in Turin, Italy, where about a hundred people assemble the vehicle. In 2024, Micro announced that it had produced nearly 3,700 Microlinos and held the top position in the Swiss market for heavy quadricycles (the L7e category). The lineup expanded with the Microlino Lite (2024), a speed-limited version accessible with a moped license, and the Microlino Spiaggina/Spider, a convertible variant. Micro remains a private company, controlled by the Ouboter family, with no affiliation to a major automotive group. In North America, the brand is still mainly known for its scooters (distributed under the name Micro Kickboard in the United States); the Microlino is not yet sold there, although Micro has mentioned an adaptation to American standards and is seeking partners for a possible launch, possibly under the status of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV).
Public founding or origin of Micro.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Micro's technology is built entirely around electric propulsion and lightness. The Microlino uses a rear-mounted electric motor producing about 12.5 kW (17 hp) driving the rear wheels, for a top speed of 90 km/h (45 km/h on the Lite version, L6e category). Several battery capacities are offered (in the range of 5.5 to 15 kWh) for a claimed range of roughly 90 to 230 km, rechargeable from a simple household outlet or a Type 2 connector in a few hours. The approach favors a lightweight monocoque structure, a reduced number of parts and a smaller environmental footprint compared with a conventional electric car. Classified as a quadricycle (L6e or L7e), the Microlino is not subject to the same safety requirements as a full automobile; its equipment therefore remains deliberately minimalist, focused on urban use.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A Swiss micromobility brand whose Microlino reinvents the electric bubble car for short, zero-emission urban trips.
Reputation
Micro enjoys a solid reputation in micromobility, where its scooters are recognized for their quality and durability. The Microlino, more recent, appeals through its charming retro design, its originality and its suitability for city traffic and tight parking. Reviews praise the driving enjoyment and energy efficiency, but point to a high price for a quadricycle, limited range and reduced safety equipment tied to its regulatory status. There is still little hindsight on long-term reliability and resale value, as the model has been produced in small series since 2022 and is absent from the North American market.
Strengths
Micro relies on a distinctive and endearing design inspired by the bubble car, an efficient 100% electric powertrain, great maneuverability and easy parking in the city. The vehicle's light weight, its recharging from a household outlet and the brand's recognized expertise in urban mobility are key assets for short trips and zero-emission city driving.
Points to watch
The Microlino remains a quadricycle, not a full automobile: modest range, capped speed, limited safety equipment and reduced capacity at two seats. Its price remains high relative to its capabilities, production is still at low volumes and the service network is restricted. In North America, the absence of commercialization and homologation complicates access, maintenance and resale.
Models
Micro models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Production of the Microlino is concentrated at a dedicated plant in Turin, Italy, where the vehicle has been assembled since 2022 by a team of about a hundred people. The head office and design center of Micro Mobility Systems remain in Switzerland, in Kusnacht. The brand's scooters and micromobility products are made through partners, notably in Asia, and distributed in the United States under the name Micro Kickboard (manufacturing associated with RazorUSA in California for branding reasons). To date, Micro has no automobile assembly plant in North America, and the Microlino is not yet produced or sold there, even though an adaptation to American standards is being considered.
Tires and wheels
The Microlino is a microvehicle with very small-diameter wheels, designed for low-speed urban traffic. The wheels are noticeably smaller than those of a typical automobile, with narrow tires suited to the vehicle's light weight and compact dimensions. For a Quebec buyer, the main challenge would be finding tires in these specific small-diameter formats, often closer to the world of quadricycles or small city cars. In Quebec winter conditions, certified winter tires would be essential for grip on snow and ice, but the offering in these unusual sizes remains limited. It is best to verify the bolt pattern, the exact wheel diameter and the tire size marked on the sidewall before any purchase.