Dyson chooses Singapore to build its first electric car

The company says its board has ratified a decision to construct its first automotive manufacturing plant there, in a two-storey facility to be completed in 2020.

When billionaire founder James Dyson first announced his plan for an electric car a year ago, he nominated 2020 for the rollout of the first vehicles. That has now been pushed back to 2021.

It was reported that Mr Dyson plans to invest £2 billion ($3.66bn) of his own money in the project, with the sum split between developing cars and batteries.

Dyson says a 400-strong team is developing the car on Dyson’s Campus at Hullavington Airfield, UK.

Earlier this year Dyson said it was in the process of investing £200m ($366m) in new buildings and testing facilities at the campus.

Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan in a letter to staff says the decision of where to make the car had been complex, and had been based on supply chains, access to markets, and access to the required expertise in Singapore.

“We will begin construction in December and it will be completed in 2020, meeting our project timeline,” he says.

“Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nation’s significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner.”

Dyson already operates a technology centre in Singapore which it opened 11 years ago. It employ 1100 people and Dyson says has built more than 50 million high speed digital motors.

Mr Rowan says that while Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, it also has great technology expertise and focus.

“It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle.” Some 400 staff are employed in the UK development centre at Hullavington.