Simson Moped: Family Condemns Far-Right AfD Appropriation | Germany News

The descendants of the Jewish family who founded the Simson motorcycle company have publicly condemned the use of the brand’s imagery by Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, calling it an “insult” and a “mockery of our history.” The condemnation comes as the AfD increasingly leverages the iconic East German moped in its political messaging and branding.

Dennis Baum, speaking on behalf of the Simson family, now residing in the United States, issued a statement through the German news agency DPA. “We locate any connection with the AfD repulsive and an insult to our name,” Baum said. “My family and I firmly reject extremist ideologies and will not accept the AfD’s appropriation of our name.” He emphasized the family’s distress at the growing association of the Simson name with a party widely considered extremist.

The Simson company’s origins date back to 1856, when brothers Löb and Moses Simson established a business in Suhl, Thuringia. Initially producing charcoal steel for rifle barrels, the company evolved into a manufacturer of weapons and, later, vehicles. The family was forced to flee Germany in 1936, after being compelled to sell the business at a significantly undervalued price, effectively a forced transfer to the state, according to the family’s statement.

Following World War II and the establishment of East Germany, the Simson factory was nationalized and became synonymous with affordable personal transportation. The Simson moped, particularly, became a ubiquitous symbol of freedom and mobility for East Germans during the Cold War, with up to 200,000 units produced annually at its peak. Approximately 6 million mopeds were manufactured in total.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Simson has experienced a resurgence in popularity, becoming a cult item, particularly in eastern Germany. The AfD has capitalized on this nostalgia, prominently featuring the moped in its election posters and promotional materials. Björn Höcke, the party’s leader in Thuringia, has been frequently photographed riding a Simson during party events, framing the outings as a means of fostering camaraderie among members.

Höcke has also positioned the Simson as an alternative to the cargo bike, a vehicle often associated with the Green party, in a deliberate attempt to define the AfD’s image. The party has even advocated for the Simson to be designated as “intangible cultural heritage” in several east German state parliaments, submitting motions to support this effort.

The AfD’s embrace of the Simson comes amid increasing scrutiny of the party’s extremist tendencies. Last year, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV) classified the AfD as a “confirmed rightwing extremist” organization. The BfV specifically cited Höcke as a key figure in disseminating far-right extremist ideology, including the use of language reminiscent of the Nazi era. Höcke, a former history teacher, has repeatedly faced criticism for his views on Germany’s historical memory, including his calls for a “180-degree turn in the politics of remembrance” and his description of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin as a “monument of shame.”

As of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the AfD has not issued a public response to the Simson family’s condemnation.