Detroit Electric Returns To The Motor City With Plug-In Sports Car

Detroit Electric, an electric vehicle brand founded in the early 1900s, is returning to MoTown with an all-new two seat electric sports car set to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next month. The company had been out of business for more than 70 years, but was revived in 2008 by Albert Lam, former executive director of Lotus Cars in England. The carmaker announced today plans to create 180 jobs in the region by the end of 2013.

The announcement is sure to be exciting news for the city of Detroit, which has been starving for innovative new companies and blue-collar manufacturing jobs for years. Detroit Electric should help on both accounts, as it will set up shop in the historic Fischer Building in downtown Detroit and will physically manufacture vehicles in the area, though the exact location of a factory--which the company says will have the capacity to make 2,500 vehicles--has not been disclosed.

Not much is known about the company's first model, except that it will be a limited-edition, 2-seat electric sports car manufactured in Michigan. Judging by the teaser image above, we imagine it could look somewhat like a Lotus Elise/Tesla Roadster.

Detroit Electric cars were first produced by the Anderson Electric Car Company from 1907 to 1939 (the name changed to "The Detroit Electric Car Company" in 1920). They were sold primarily to people who needed a car that could start without the lengthy and tiresome process of hand-cranking an internal combustion engine.

Electric cars were refined and surprisingly practical for the time. Many were able to travel around 80 miles before needing to be recharged. They were especially popular during WWI when the price of gasoline rose dramatically.

But over the years, production of EVs dwindled as the internal combustion engine became more cost-effective and easier to produce and sell. Hurting badly from shrinking popularity and the devastating stock market crash in 1929, Detroit Electric hung on for a few years, but eventually shipped its last car in 1939.

Until the 2008 purchase by Lam the brand had been all but forgotten. Now, with the surprising announcement of its new headquarters and first car, it appears to be primed for a renaissance.

The company says it plans on manufacturing "a diverse family of high-performance electric vehicles" in the near future.
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19 March 2013
For immediate release
RECHARGED ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURER,
DETROIT ELECTRIC, TAKES ROOT IN THE HEART OF DETROIT

• Electric vehicle company revitalizes iconic Detroit Electric brand
• New company headquarters in Detroit's iconic Fisher Building with production in Michigan, USA
• Plans to create 180 local jobs by the end of 2013
• Limited-edition two-seat 100% electric sports car to be launched next month
• Diverse family of high-performance electric vehicles to follow
• New sports car showcases Detroit Electric's class-leading electric vehicle powertrain technologies

After an absence of over 70 years, Detroit Electric, the innovative electric car manufacturer, has returned to the legendary Motor City, promising job creation and a range of exciting 100% electric vehicles for the mass market.

Heralding the rebirth of the original electric car brand, Detroit Electric has announced the establishment of its corporate headquarters on the 18th floor of the iconic Fisher Building, located in downtown Detroit, with Don Graunstadt, CEO, North America Operations at Detroit Electric, signing a long-term lease.

A site has also been identified to assemble the first ever pure electric sports car in Michigan, with production to start in August. The dedicated production facility will have an annual capacity of 2,500 sports cars. Detroit Electric aims to create over 180 sales and manufacturing-related jobs over the next 12 months.

Following five years of relentless research and engineering development, the first model to carry the renowned Detroit Electric logo will be a limited-edition two-seat sports car. Certain to quicken pulses thanks to its bold styling, outstanding performance, exhilarating handling characteristics and impressive range, this new sports car will be launched early next month in Detroit, ahead of a global public reveal at the Shanghai Motor Show on 20 April. The show will also provide the platform for Detroit Electric to share an exciting announcement about a major partnership with a global carmaker. Full details will be announced on the first press day of the show.

On sale in many of Detroit Electric's target markets by end of August 2013, the new Detroit Electric sports car will spearhead a diverse family of all-electric production cars, including two other high-performance models that will enter production by end of 2014.

"We are proud to become the fourth car manufacturer born out of Detroit, and the first to manufacture a pure electric sports car from Michigan," said Mr Graunstadt. "We are committed to doing our part for this great revival of Detroit through innovation, entrepreneurship and determination – what we like to call 'Detroit 2.0'. Our investors and management team are thankful to the State of Michigan for the help provided in allowing Detroit Electric to carry on the legacy that began in Michigan so many years ago."

Detroit could be regarded as the home of the electric car. Early in the last century the electric vehicle industry was flourishing in Detroit and a company called Detroit Electric was at its very heart, innovating and selling more electric vehicles than any other company. By 1912 there were numerous American electric vehicle makers, with Detroit Electric both the market leader and the most prolific, going on to make around 13,000 cars – an electric vehicle production world record for the twentieth century. Notable customers included Thomas Edison, Mamie Eisenhower, John D. Rockerfeller Jr. and Clara Ford, the wife of Henry Ford.

The brand was revived in 2008 by Albert Lam, former Group CEO of the Lotus Engineering Group and Executive Director of Lotus Cars of England, with a vision to produce an electric vehicle that seamlessly integrates refined aesthetics, innovative technology and superior handling and performance.

To safeguard its sustainable growth, Detroit Electric employs an 'asset light' business model, similar to brands such as Apple and Nike, focusing investment on R&D and marketing. Detroit Electric's Chairman and Group CEO, Albert Lam, brings to Detroit Electric various operational disciplines from his time heading up technology and innovation-driven businesses in Asia, including Apple and Sun Microsystems.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) welcomed Detroit Electric to the community. "Detroit Electric's decision to establish its new headquarters in Detroit is great news, because it builds on Michigan's automotive heritage and places the company in the world's automotive epicenter with a business climate that will enable its success," said Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney. "We look forward to Detroit Electric's continued growth in the state as it creates innovative vehicles and new job opportunities for Michigan workers."

Albert Lam added, "I am very fortunate to be working with a group of very talented engineers to create something really special. The sports car will allow us to demonstrate to the world our ability to build an exciting and innovative product. This DNA will be translated across to our future sedans; all our cars will be fun to drive and deliver exceptional performance within their class."

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