The new, state-of-the-art vehicle plant is where the first purpose-built electric taxi will be produced.
The site has capacity to build more than 20,000 vehicles per year.
The investment and expansion of LTC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely, has created more than 1,000 new jobs, including 200 engineering and 30 apprenticeship roles.
The all new electric taxi will go on sale first in London in Q4 of 2017, and then around the world in early 2018.
Chris Gubbey, chief executive of the LTC, said: “Today marks the rebirth of the LTC. A company with a singular vision; to design and build dedicated urban commercial vehicles that can operate without emissions in cities around the world and bring down running costs for drivers.”
Carl-Peter Forster, chairman of the LTC, said: “The opening of our new plant sets a number of records; it’s the first brand new automotive manufacturing facility in Britain for over a decade; the first dedicated electric vehicle factory in the UK; and the first major Chinese investment in UK automotive.
“We are extremely proud of what we have achieved today, and we have firmly put our stake in the ground as a new, global, automotive leader in urban commercial vehicles.”
The fully integrated factory – from research through to production – will also become a globally connected research and development centre in electric vehicle powertrains and lightweight aluminum body structures, which will be applied in all vehicles made at the plant.
Zhou Jianqan, general manager at Geely Commercial Vehicles, said: “This dedicated electric vehicle plant, gives LTC and Geely the chance to lead the way in advanced British manufacturing as we look to solve the pollution challenges facing the world’s major cities.”
The fully integrated research, development and production facility, where work began just under two years ago, has been supported by the UK government.
Greg Clark, secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, said: “Our iconic black cabs are famous across the world. The LTC’s impressive new factory and R&D facility showcases the innovation that makes the UK a world leader in the development of new automotive technologies.”
(Image Credits: LTC/Newspress)
