Bright Automotive has been threatening to break out as an upstart company in the plug-in hybrid car sector for several years – and now it has secured a partnership in North America which may help it achieve its ambitions.
The company has entered an agreement for AM General LLC to be its exclusive assembler for the Bright IDEA vehicle platform. AM General will build the Bright IDEA at its commercial assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, with the Bright IDEA due to be released in 2014.
The concept behind the Bright IDEA is to create a clean-sheet plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to address economic and functional challenges. In 2010, the company formed a strategic partnership with General Motors for engines, parts and investments and Bright has since created several working prototypes of its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, including one operated by the Department of Defence.
Production of the Bright IDEA will hinge on the completion of the company’s funding which will include both private equity commitments and a loan through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.
