Construction Starts of R&D Solar-powered Facility to Manufacture London’s Future Zero-Emission Taxis

The London Taxi Company announced on Monday the start of construction work to build its new research, development and assembly site in Ansty, Coventry. This important milestone comes soon after the company’s £250 million investment project was announced in the presence of the Prime Minister and Mayor Boris Johnson earlier in the year.

A breaking ground ceremony attended by Rugby MP, Mark Pawsey, Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson, and Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham took place today at Ansty Park. The company also welcomed officials from the local authorities, press and The London Taxi Company board members to officially commence building work.

Peter Johansen joined by local MPs inc Mark Pawsey (Rugby), Geoffrey Robinson (Cov) & Jim Cunningham (Cov) pic.twitter.com/Y3hq6Ltwce

— TheLondonTaxiCoUK (@LondonTaxiCoUK) August 3, 2015

The new facility is the first greenfield development of any Chinese automotive manufacturer in the UK, demonstrating parent company Geely’s ongoing commitment to the country and West Midlands region. The investment will create up to 1000 direct jobs, and support a further 500 roles in the local supply chain.

The 37,000m² building will be constructed by main contractors Winvic, and comprises a 31,000m² production facility, which will make the next generation of the iconic London Black Cabs from 2017 and other forthcoming models, as well as 6000m² office space. Ansty will be Geely’s UK base for ultra-low emission vehicle R&D and the London Taxi Company’s global headquarters.

'The new site will be our global HQ for the build of the iconic future ZEC London taxi' pic.twitter.com/oHZJWczLEb

— TheLondonTaxiCoUK (@LondonTaxiCoUK) August 3, 2015

Reflecting The London Taxi Company’s values of sustainability, the Ansty site will have an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and be ‘A’ rated for energy performance. The building will include 850m² photovoltaic solar panels, and 20 electric vehicle charging points. It will also harvest waste heat from compressed air systems to warm the air and provide hot water, while rainwater will be collected for use in all of the facility’s toilets.

The London Taxi Company’s recently appointed Chairman, Carl-Peter Forster, commented:

“The Geely group strategy to invest in ultra low emission technology is progressing well across all its brands. The London Taxi Company and its new products are central to that approach and our investment here demonstrates continued commitment to the UK automotive sector and helps to underpin the world class engineering capabilities which can be accessed in this country.”

The London Taxi Company’s Chief Executive, Peter Johansen, said:

“Today marks another important step forward for the company and our employees as we prepare to produce the next generation of ultra low emission vehicles here in Ansty. We would like to thank the local authorities for their hard work and support during the planning process, and everyone who has been associated with the building project to get us to this point today. We’d also like to thank our main contractor Winvic, whose work so far has been impeccable.

Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby, added:

“Investment of this nature in advanced manufacturing and ultra-low emission vehicle technology is exactly the type of activity we need to encourage and support. This is a fantastic addition to our already booming automotive industry, and further demonstrates The London Taxi Company’s ongoing contribution to the local economy which will only grow with the creation of many hundreds of high quality jobs for local people.”

David Ward, Winvic Managing Director, said:

“We are thrilled to have been appointed by The London Taxi Company to build their new home here at Ansty. By applying the very highest sustainability and construction standards the building will be befitting to the products that will be produced here. This is a really exciting time for The London Taxi Company and for manufacturing in the region and we’re pleased to be playing a part in its development.”

Christine Addison, Executive Director for the Midlands Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) who sold the land at Ansty Park to the London Taxi Company, added:

“The HCA is pleased to have played a key role in bringing forward this new London Taxi Company facility as part of the wider developments at Ansty Park. Investment in Ansty Park in recent years has established it as home to the world renowned Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the MTC Aerospace facility, the University of Birmingham and Rolls-Royce High Temperature Research Centre, Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre and the MTC National Apprenticeship College, as well as the exciting developments by the London Taxi Company.”

The London Taxi Company’s investment reinforces the strength of the UK automotive sector, and the importance of the West Midlands as an engine for that growth. More than a quarter of the UK’s 30 largest automotive manufacturing sites are based in the West Midlands, with global vehicle makers announcing £850 million investment in the area so far this year. The automotive industry supports around 770,000 jobs in the UK and added £12.4 billion to the country’s economy.

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Source: Press Release by The London Taxi Company. Image Credit: The London Taxi Company.