Revived TVR follows Aston Martin to Wales
A month after Aston Martin revealed it will be building its forthcoming crossover SUV at a new facility in St Athan, TVR has announced it will also hand-craft cars in Wales from next year.
The manufacturer that brought us bonkers cars like the Cerbera, Griffith and Tuscan will produce its all-new model at a production facility in Ebbw Vale, 40 miles north of Aston's recently-unveiled plant.
Unreserved: TVR design is well known for being extreme. The Tuscan, with a bullet-holed rear bumper exposing he exhaust system was available in an array of chameleon-like colours
The hub, which sits on the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park, will be the home of the V8 sports car that's due for 2017 - the first production car TVR will build following 11 years in the darkness.
As well as being close to the picturesque national park, TVR's factory will be located extremely close to the new Circuit of Wales — a yet-to-be-built track that's already linked to big-money deals with race organisers to host events such as the MotoGP motorcycling world championship.
This was one of the main prerequisites for the vehicle maker, with chairman Les Edgar previously stating that any new site needed to be near a circuit they could use for customer passenger rides to showcase the heart-pounding performance of the new car.
The facility, confirmed by the first minister of Wales Carwyn Jones on Tuesday, is the first step in a £30m-backed five-year plan to relaunch the brand following the closure of its Blackpool plant a decade ago, costing approximately 250 jobs in the process.
As well as bringing TVR back to the market for the first time since 2006, it could also create around 150 new jobs in the area, according to reports.
This will add to the 1,000 positions that will emerge at the Aston Martin factory on the south coast, the home of its DBX SUV crossover project.
Speaking at Tuesday's announcement, Edgar said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity both for TVR and the Welsh Government.
The Aston Martin DBX (centre) will be built at the new Welsh facility from 2020.
'South Wales is becoming a major hub for automotive and motorsport technology and development and the area is a serious opportunity for business development and job creation.
'We have a sports car project that has garnered global approval and excitement, and we are delighted that the Welsh government wish to become a part of an exciting new era for TVR.'
Carwyn Jones added: 'This is yet another fantastic high-profile investment for Wales and a great boost for our automotive sector.
'TVR is another iconic and much-loved, world-class brand that still commands a strong and loyal international following.
'I am delighted the next generation of TVRs will proudly bear the label ‘made in Wales’.
“Today’s news follows hot on the heels of the Aston Martin announcement and sends out a strong, clear message that Wales is the location of choice for advanced manufacturing.”
The automaker now faces a quick turnaround, with production lines scheduled to be in full flow by spring 2017 and first deliveries of the new car to customers due next summer.
The company also has also hinted at plans to return to the race track, setting an ambitious target of entering the Le Mans 24 Hours race in two years' time.
Circuit of Wales CEO, Martin Whitaker, said: 'Today’s news regarding TVR’s production facility in the Ebbw Vale is fantastic news for the region.
'Paired with Aston Martin’s recent announcement, it reinforces our vision of Ebbw Vale and the south Wales region growing into a cluster of excellence for automotive and related industries.'
-Daily Mail