Atoms to be MANUFACTURED in USA
Discussion
The cat's out of the bag...
The Ariel Motor Company has officially licenced an American manufacturer to build cars under license.
For the full story, see this week's Autocar which also has a six page article on an Atom in LA.
What does this mean for owners in Europe; potential owners in the US; and the factory?
For the factory, I think it's great as there's a vast, untapped market in the states and ny manufacturing locally, the Vehicle Approvals will be significantly easier.
For potential owners in the US, it means no DIY SVA, so that has to be a good thing.
For European owners, it could also be interesting, as with a strong Pound/Euro vs the Dollar, parts could be signifcantly cheaper.
The usual suspects abroad will receive scans of the article - everyone else will have to grab a mag.
The Ariel Motor Company has officially licenced an American manufacturer to build cars under license.
For the full story, see this week's Autocar which also has a six page article on an Atom in LA.
What does this mean for owners in Europe; potential owners in the US; and the factory?
For the factory, I think it's great as there's a vast, untapped market in the states and ny manufacturing locally, the Vehicle Approvals will be significantly easier.
For potential owners in the US, it means no DIY SVA, so that has to be a good thing.
For European owners, it could also be interesting, as with a strong Pound/Euro vs the Dollar, parts could be signifcantly cheaper.
The usual suspects abroad will receive scans of the article - everyone else will have to grab a mag.
The official press release:
Ariel USA
ATOM – OVER HERE and OVER THERE
Ariel Motor Company, manufacturers of the unique Ariel Atom sports car and based in Somerset, have signed a deal with Brammo Motorsports in Oregon to manufacture the Atom in the USA.
With its current status of fastest accelerating production car in the world the Atom has been developed by Ariel into the fastest way to have fun on four wheels. Award winning design, race series win in its first outing and a reputation for remarkable performance coupled with reliability, the Atom has seen growing interest from around the world since its introduction in 2000. With UK production nearing 100 cars per year and enormous interest from the USA, plus an approach from Craig Bramscher of Brammo Motorsports, Ariel have taken the unique decision to license the manufacture of the Atom in the United States.
The variable exchange rate for the dollar, shipping costs, import duties and registration differences have made it difficult for Americans to buy the Atom in the past, although there has been great interest in the car. Manufacturing in the USA will control costs and give a first hand knowledge of the market and a direct service to US customers. The growing interest in trackday cars in the USA, as well as what they have named as ‘the coolest car in the world’, means that the Atom is particularly suited to the demands of the market in the United States. Said Craig Bramscher, President of Brammo Motorsports, “The response to showing the Atom a couple of times has been overwhelming and we really are excited with the potential the Atom has in the USA. We just can’t wait to get manufacturing.”
The dual country build of the Atom will also result in improving the Atom still further. With combined British and American know how, plus the advantage of UK and USA suppliers, Ariel are confident that the breed will be improved. Brammo Motorsports have a long history of vehicle assembly and design and perfectly complement the skills of Ariel Motor Company. Simon Saunders of Ariel said, “Licensing manufacture of the Atom is a very big step for us, however we’re not only confident that the Atom is going to be an enormous success in the USA, but that this is the beginning of something really interesting between the two companies.”
Ariel USA
ATOM – OVER HERE and OVER THERE
Ariel Motor Company, manufacturers of the unique Ariel Atom sports car and based in Somerset, have signed a deal with Brammo Motorsports in Oregon to manufacture the Atom in the USA.
With its current status of fastest accelerating production car in the world the Atom has been developed by Ariel into the fastest way to have fun on four wheels. Award winning design, race series win in its first outing and a reputation for remarkable performance coupled with reliability, the Atom has seen growing interest from around the world since its introduction in 2000. With UK production nearing 100 cars per year and enormous interest from the USA, plus an approach from Craig Bramscher of Brammo Motorsports, Ariel have taken the unique decision to license the manufacture of the Atom in the United States.
The variable exchange rate for the dollar, shipping costs, import duties and registration differences have made it difficult for Americans to buy the Atom in the past, although there has been great interest in the car. Manufacturing in the USA will control costs and give a first hand knowledge of the market and a direct service to US customers. The growing interest in trackday cars in the USA, as well as what they have named as ‘the coolest car in the world’, means that the Atom is particularly suited to the demands of the market in the United States. Said Craig Bramscher, President of Brammo Motorsports, “The response to showing the Atom a couple of times has been overwhelming and we really are excited with the potential the Atom has in the USA. We just can’t wait to get manufacturing.”
The dual country build of the Atom will also result in improving the Atom still further. With combined British and American know how, plus the advantage of UK and USA suppliers, Ariel are confident that the breed will be improved. Brammo Motorsports have a long history of vehicle assembly and design and perfectly complement the skills of Ariel Motor Company. Simon Saunders of Ariel said, “Licensing manufacture of the Atom is a very big step for us, however we’re not only confident that the Atom is going to be an enormous success in the USA, but that this is the beginning of something really interesting between the two companies.”
mullerr said:
Yeah and they'll be replacing the Honda lump with a Chevvy big block
Bleh I hope not. Going from the Rover to a Honda as a powerplant is one of the best decisions that I think Ariel could have made (its a well known, reliable engine, parts avalible internationaly, most any mechanic or shop could repair it in the US, Japan, UK, AUS), why they are even considering a GM powerplant is beyond me.
I must use more smileys so people know when I'm not being serious.Gassing Station | Ariel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff