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What is the difference between a go-kart and a KETTCAR?

von Wiebke Gericke - 9 Mar, 2023

Have you always wondered the same thing? Here's the answer!

 

But first we will explain why the Kettcar is actually called Kettcar!
The Kettcar was first introduced to the market by the KETTLER company in 1962 and was something completely new. At that time, a kettcar still had a push-rod drive and a fixed seat. In 1965, the first Kettcar with chain drive and pedals was introduced. The kettcar was therefore a toy car that children could drive with pedals. The kettcar became a bestseller and more than 15 million units have been sold worldwide to date.

 

The word itself is a so-called suitcase word: it is composed of KETT, derived from the brand name KETTLER, and the English term for car "car". The word Kettcar is a registered trademark of Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG. The term was even included in the Duden in 1974 and then in the Rechtschreibduden in 1980.

Now we get to the difference between the go-kart and the Kettcar!

There is actually no difference between a go-kart and a kettcar! The kettcar is merely a registered brand name, while the go-kart is the general name for the vehicle, which is also used by other manufacturers. Other terms are pedal car or pedal go-kart.

Unfortunately, with the insolvency of the company in 2019, the production of the kettcars also came to an end for the time being. But I emphasise: only for the time being! We at KETTLER Trading GmbH want to bring the Kettcar back onto the market in 2023! Everyone will have to be patient until then, but then the Kettcar racing fun can begin again!