British electric van manufacturer acquires new factory in Bicester

British electric van manufacturer Arrival, which has recently won a major order from logistics giant UPS, has taken on a new production site in Bicester.

Link 9 Bicester is a major new distribution and production development, located a short distance from Junction 9 of the M40. The new manufacturing facility includes floor space of a 120,600ft².

Arrival is creating the world’s first ‘Generation 2’ electric vehicle, using innovative technologies to create affordable, purpose-built electric vehicles for commercial customers.

It has trialled prototypes with a wide range of companies including Royal Mail, DHL and DPD, as well as BT. Arrival also received an investment and order of 10,000 vehicles from UPS.

The company has secured an £90 million investment from Hyundai and Kia which will be used by Arrival to fund the next stage of its development.

The £3 billion valuation means Arrival has achieved ‘unicorn’ status, a new company valued at more than $1billion (£770 million).

The business now occupies 50,000ft² of offices in London as well as R&D centres in Banbury, the USA, Germany, Russia, Netherlands and Israel. It also plans to build “micro factories” near Los Angeles and New York.

The company is expanding its UK and global workforce from 600 people in September to 800 and will ramp up production over 2020. Arrival’s automotive microfactory manufacturing plant at Link 9 Bicester will likely be operational in 2021.

Commercial property agent VSL agreed a 15-year lease with Arrival. Tom Barton, director at VSL, commented: “The expansion of Arrival is truly impressive and a testament to the technology and investment confidence in the business model. We have an excellent relationship with the company and are delighted to have been able to secure a new for their manufacturing plant in Bicester to accommodate their continuing growth.”

Glenn Saint, chief of commercial vehicles of Arrival added: “Arrival is revolutionising electric vehicles with our Generation 2 solution that means customers can buy a purpose built electric vehicle for the same price or less than a petrol or diesel equivalent. Critical to making this possible is manufacturing in microfactories which can serve the local community and respond rapidly to local demand.”

Link 9 Bicester is a major new distribution and production development of 40 acres located a short distance from Junction 9 of the M40. The site comprises two units of high specification headquarters buildings which were speculatively developed by Albion Land.

Arrival
www.arrival.com

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