An unknown Silicon valley start up is planning to save the New United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI) plant in California.
The plant which operated as a joint venture between Toyota and GM, currently employs around 4,700 people but is set to close at the end of this month as its contract ends. However the small-time electric car maker called Aurica Motors hopes to move in and save the jobs at the Fremont-based plant.
Aurica Motors says that when current production at the plant ceases on March 31, it wants to convert the facilities at NUMMI to produce its concept E-Car model-potentially saving all 4,700 jobs. Not only that- the start up says that another 50,000 jobs or more employed within a network of part makers and suppliers are dependant on the future of the plant.
The plans to save the manufacturing facility will depend on Federal support in the form of stimulus funding as well as Department of Energy grants.
On the firm’s website, the company proclaims its E-Car (depicted above) is a car with a purpose-‘to make electric cars more practical while saving 4700 NUMMI jobs, the Bay Area economy, and the environment – all at the same time’. That’s a tall order.
Little is known about the E-Car but its designers say it will go further on a single than ever possible before. Estimated to be capable of 0-60 mph in 4 or 5 seconds, the car will also be able to be recharged in less than three minutes in one of the firm’s own Power Exchange Package (PEP) charging kiosks, quickly swapping out its battery and replacing it with a freshly charged one. The firm claims the car can be independent of the grid too- sourcing all of its electricity from renewable sources only- solar, wind and tidal energy.
The truly 100 per cent emission-free car is also made to last too- 20 years or more is estimated for both the body and drive system with minimal maintenance. Instead of buying a new car every 2 to 5 years, the maker says buyers can swap out an older body style into a brand new look for less than a third the price of a new car- minimising waste.
The Aurica E-Car Series will begin with four body styles all built to fit on the same standard chassis. It will be offered as a sporty economy car, a mid-sized 4-door sedan, a stylish SUV hatchback, or a light pickup truck.
If it plans succeed, the hugely ambitious firm hopes to see its first car off the production line within two years.
