Frustrated with the status quo
Rewind to 2015.
Like thousands of others, Luke & Kendall found themselves wasting hours every day commuting across town in gridlock traffic, pumping out endless clouds of emissions.
They started working on an alternative way to commute, tinkering on prototypes for electric bikes in their garage and in their spare time.
It was the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown that finally gave them the time and space they needed to complete the first prototype. The focus was simple: cut back on the noise, the stress, the pollution, and create a bike that was altogether more simple and straightforward.
Their solution? The Streetdog.
BUILDING a Dream
A few months after the prototype was created, Luke and Kendall were introduced to Amsterdam-based Saskia (now co-founder).
Together, they formed FTN Motion and set out to change the way New Zealand, and the world, commutes by creating sleek, timeless electric vehicles rooted in the carefree Kiwi lifestyle.
INVESTING IN THE ELECTRIC FUTURE
The Streetdog quickly attracted attention, with a group of local investors coming onboard in late 2020.
This support from their investors allows the team to focus on creating the best experience for their customers, on and off the bike, with continued development of the Streetdog as well as the launch of an innovative direct-to-consumer business model that will see them take on the global market.
FTN Motion closed it's latest investment round on 31 March 2024. Interested investors are encouraged to get in touch for more information about future investment opportunites
LAUNCHING THE STREETDOG
In May 2021, on an almost non-existent marketing budget, FTN Motion pre-sold all 100 available models of the Early Adopter Streetdog to buyers across New Zealand and recruited 7 local brands and investors to become Beta testers.
This early momentum validates what founders Luke, Kendall and Saskia suspected all along: in a time when everything is 'more, more, more', the Streetdog and its focus on hassle-free simplicity and minimalist styling is a much-needed breath of fresh air.
To support this first phase of the company’s growth, the team grew from 3 to 15 employees, working from a factory and showroom in the heart of Wellington.
FTN Motion and the Streetdog have been featured in media across NZ and internationally.
BETA & BEYOND
The first 10 Beta bikes were released in April 2022, with brands such as Garage Project, Meridian Energy, Wellington International Airport and creative agency Wrestler being amongst the first to own and ride the Streetdog. These Beta bikes each have a special edition numeral, ranging from B1 to B10, and enabled the team to road test the bikes by putting them through their paces with daily, real-life use.
The Meridian Energy Beta bike became the first electric moped to cross the Tranz Alpine pass in May 2022, during the Scooter Safari of the NZ Cancer Society.
The first 100 Early Adopter bikes were delivered part way through 2023 and our second production followed soon after, unleashing a total of 160 Streetdogs across New Zealand. We are beyond stoked to be responsible for the first automative production run in New Zealand since the late 90s.
Our next production run is coming up. You can order your Streetdog now for delivery in Q4 of 2024.
