Pure electric sportscar manufacturer Detroit Electric has chosen to build its all-new model, the SP:01 in the UK. The new 155mph electric vehicle will be manufactured in a new Detroit Electric production facility in Leamington Spa, which is set to employ 80 staff by early 2015.
The UK is world-renowned for its low carbon R&D and engineering excellence. Government and industry body, the Automotive Council, identifies low carbon technologies as one of four core areas that the UK could develop into a key strength for domestic manufacture and supply.
Production is set to begin later in 2014, before models begin rolling off the production line destined for markets across Europe and Asia.
Complementing the UK production base, the company also invested in a new EMEA headquarters in Houten, Netherlands, where a newly recruited team will manage the brand’s Sales and Marketing. The company has its global headquarters in the iconic Fisher Building in downtown Detroit, US.
Albert Lam, Chairman and CEO of Detroit Electric, said, “We’re truly delighted that we’re just weeks away from bringing to fruition our plans to introduce Detroit Electric’s first pure electric sports car. With a new production facility in the UK, a magnificent EMEA headquarters in The Netherlands and plans to engineer and assemble vehicles in the US, the world will soon experience the pure electric performance of our range of exciting and innovative Detroit Electric vehicles.”
The SP:01 will spearhead a family of all-electric production cars, including an electric 2+2 supercar and a sedan model that will be engineered, developed and assembled at a planned facility in Michigan.
Detroit Electric secured additional investment following an initial reveal of the SP:01 in early 2013. The car has since undergone extensive further development, heralding significant changes to enhance its aerodynamic performance and improve interior comfort and quality.
The SP:01 will set new standards for performance and handling in the EV segment. Its high-power electric motor will propel the car to 155 mph (249km/h) top speed and from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds.
For more information about the scope and scale of UK automotive manufacturing see SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts publication.
