Category: Aspiring OEMs

Mobility is a necessity – Everyone will always travel

Lex Hoefsloot — Co-Founder

Do you remember the game-changer of mobility in the 20th century? Yes, it was Henry Ford with his car: the model T.

From this point in time urban planning was centred around the car. The streets and cities faced major transformations. Many new features came along, like parking lots, motorways, gas stations, and traffic lights. Each of these developments helped us to move around easier and more comfortable. It became easier to visit our friends and family in other towns. The time to travel reduced from days to hours, the car unlocked many opportunities. Nowadays, the car is our most expensive possession, after our house. It is a vehicle that we trust our safety to. We use the car to go on holidays and to go to-and-from work.

Mobility changed the distance travelled, not the time travelled.
Mobility is a condition for prosperity and well-being, and research points out that mobility is not only a means but also a goal in itself. Historically, people ..

We’re in the finals of the Postcode Loterij Green Challenge!

Martijn Lammers — Co-Founder

From over 500 companies, we are one of 5 finalists in the Postcode Loterij Green Challenge. The finale is set to take place on 14 September in Amsterdam. Lex will be pitching, competing with the other companies from Denmark, France and Rwanda. The winner will take home €500.000.

The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is one of the world’s largest annual competitions for sustainable entrepreneurship organized by the Postcode Lottery (active in The Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and Germany). The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge encourages green start‐ups to send in creative and innovative business plans for products and services that contribute to a low carbon economy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

We’re excited to be in the finals!

Being one of five Finalists means that we have already been awarded €100.000. During RTL Summer Night, a late night talk show, to which we were invited to talk about our company. During the inte..

When cars and solar energy meet

Lex Hoefsloot — Co-Founder

Energy is the ability to do work. It is the reason why we have progressed into a highly prosperous society within 200 years. Energy veteran Gregg Maryniak showed me this graph that puts the whole story into perspective. Looking at this timescale, it suddenly becomes clear that fossil fuels are just a blip in history. In a very short time, fossil fuels gave us prosperity and the ability to accelerate all aspects of human development. Sadly, we all know that these energy sources came with a dark-side. We will inevitably switch to a new energy source.

Fossil fuels are just a blip in history. source

Despite the fact that this ‘blip’ is associated with massive amounts of energy, scientists are in fact quite certain that we can produce the same amount of energy using solar and wind power. Isn’t it fascinating how we are heading towards a future in which we can produce many times more energy using solar and wind power than mother nature has been ca..

We are Lightyear, we’re on a mission

Martijn Lammers — Co-Founder

We love electric cars…

But they’re only the first step, what if they could generate their own energy?

That’s a business opportunity!

Lightyear was founded by 5 Solar Team Eindhoven alumni. With Solar Team Eindhoven, we built the revolutionary solar cars Stella & Stella Lux. Both cars are 4 seaters, road legal, solar powered and built to win the World Solar Challenge cruiser class. After two world championships, we decided that it is time for the next step.

Our story started back in 2012. All we had was a blank canvas, no experience, no network and no money. We took our enthusiasm, a healthy dose of naivety and common sense to start an endeavour that still continues today. Looking back, it is easy to forget the times we worked until the sun came up or the problems that kept us from working at all. Like the time our cars’ transport to the competition in Australia was cancelled a week before we left. Or the desperate attempts removing a crucial ..

London Motor Show – Battersea Evolution, 5–8 May 2016

Following a very successful London Motor Show, we are pleased to report continued great interest in the new TVR

Following a very successful London Motor Show, we are pleased to report continued great interest in the new TVR

Following a very successful London Motor Show held at Battersea Evolution, we are pleased to report continued great interest in the new TVR, from the press, the trade, and private individuals alike.

The Battersea show was the first public show that TVR have attended in almost 10 years, and everyone with whom we spoke indicated they had a great day and were enthused about the return of TVR to the sports car sector.

Our stand displayed both a beautiful 1966 Griffith 400 and also a full size model of the new car that is being used for ongoing development purposes. As some of the fine detail is still being finalised, the covers were not removed, despite several attempts by both onlookers and even Tiff Needell!

The initial unveiling will take place at an exclusive private event for depositors later this year, with the full public launch to follow in 2017.

With over 400 deposits already placed, there remain less than 100 positions available for the Launch Edition model – now confirmed to be limited to 500 cars – after which prospective purchasers will be able to join a reserve list should they choose to do so.

If you were unable to attend the show, please take a moment to look at our new YouTube channel, where you will find a video of a graphic reveal that was recently filmed at our design studio, and a 360° video from the Motor Show stand which can be interactively viewed with many mobile devices, or with the use of a mouse.

If you choose to subscribe to the YouTube channel, this will ensure that you do not miss any future video or live feed updates. You can also follow our Twitter feed.

TVR announces forthcoming production facility in South Wales and significant additional investment in the project

TVR today announces that it will build a production facility in Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, South Wales

TVR today announces that it will build a production facility in Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, South Wales

Resurgent British sports car maker, TVR, has announced today that its new production facility will be located in the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone in South Wales. The Welsh Government will also invest in the car maker, further enhancing this exciting manufacturing project which represents over £30 million of capital expenditure over the next five years.

The contracts to locate the new TVR factory in Wales were signed on the 18th March 2016 and the deal was officially announced by Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales, during a press conference this morning. Currently, TVR is looking at several specific options for the precise location of the factory, the outcome of which will be the subject of a separate announcement in the coming weeks.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “This is a fantastic opportunity both for TVR and the Welsh Government. South Wales is becoming a major hub for automotive and motorsport technology and development and the area is a serious opportunity for business development and job creation. We have a sports car project that has garnered global approval and excitement, and we are delighted that the Welsh government wish to become a part of an exciting new era for TVR.”

The First Minister said: “This is yet another fantastic high profile investment for Wales and a great boost for our automotive sector. TVR is another iconic and much loved, world-class brand that still commands a strong and loyal international following. I am delighted the next generation of TVRs will proudly bear the label Made in Wales.

“Today’s news follows hot on the heels of the Aston Martin announcement and sends out a strong, clear message that Wales is the location of choice for advanced manufacturing. It also illustrates that our pro-business approach is delivering results, attracting significant investment and creating high quality jobs and it is another huge boost for Wales, for our automotive sector and for our skilled workforce.”

The new TVR project, which was announced in early 2015, has already secured in excess of 350 deposits for the fantastic new launch edition car, which features innovative design and styling that maintains the distinctive TVR DNA, but also includes F1 inspired, ground-effect technology. The chassis and body has been designed by Gordon Murray of Gordon Murray Design Ltd.and will be the first production car to be manufactured using their revolutionary iStream® assembly process. Power is provided by a Cosworth tuned and enhanced V8 engine. The Welsh factory will be busy fulfilling orders that already run through to the end of 2018.

DENZA Holds First Open Winter EV Test Drive in China

Manzhouli, Feb 21, 2017 —— The DENZA 400 electric vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “DENZA 400”) successfully conducted an open test-drive under snowy winter conditions in Inner Mongolia. With temperatures dipping below minus 25 degrees Celsius, the convoy was led by a group of DENZA owners, consumers, and members of the media, showcasing the innovative… Continue reading DENZA Holds First Open Winter EV Test Drive in China

DENZA All-Electric Vehicle Showcased at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show

• DENZA all-electric vehicle shines at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show • DENZA combines Daimler’s renowned tradition and engineering expertise as a worldwide leader in safety technology and quality excellence with BYD’s leading battery technology. • The CEO of the joint venture Yan Chen said “The DENZA EV has been welcomed by many families just… Continue reading DENZA All-Electric Vehicle Showcased at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show

Daimler Project DENZA Prepares Market Introduction

DENZA well on track: market introduction in 2014 World premiere at the Auto China 2014 in Beijing First dealerships to open mid next year in Beijing, Shanghai, China and Shenzhen, China Intensive testing program for pre-production models: focus on safety and reliability Production tests in Shenzhen successfully underway                  … Continue reading Daimler Project DENZA Prepares Market Introduction

Announcing TVR Genuine Parts

Whether you’re carrying out a full restoration or merely looking to replace a single, particular part for your cherished TVR, you’ll want the comfort of fitting genuine parts. But how can you be sure that’s what you’re getting?

Whether you’re carrying out a full restoration or merely looking to replace a single, particular part for your cherished TVR, you’ll want the comfort of fitting genuine parts. But how can you be sure that’s what you’re getting?

This was the recurring question put to us by concerned owners and workshops alike and, as the years went by after the Blackpool factory closed, the situation was becoming more confused and the future less certain. Now, with this new initiative, we hope to bring some confidence back to the market.

Firstly, we have examined the old stock of original parts. This comprises a mix of what was left in the stores after the Blackpool factory closed, together with stock from OEMs that historically supplied products for the old cars.

Then, discovering some parts no longer existed, we decided to open the TVR design archives and authorise the use of our extensive library of technical drawings (including nearly 100,000 CAD drawings). By doing so we hope to facilitate the remanufacture of replacement parts guaranteed to match, or exceed, the performance defined by the original specifications.

Together, this new and old stock is in the process of being packaged and labelled as ‘TVR GENUINE PARTS’.

And, to keep things as simple as possible, we have decided to licence a single source to supply and distribute all of them to anyone who needs them, anywhere in the world. This newly created single source is called ‘TVR Parts’, and you can read more about this initiative here.