Wednesday 5th June 2024

New Caterham Dartford HQ now fully operational

'Dartford X' facility allows 50 per cent more Caterhams to be made, and all divisions now under one roof

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Caterham’s new, state-of-the art production facility is now operational. The 54,000 square foot space, on an industrial park known as Dartford X, represents a multi-million pound investment from owner VT Holdings; not only will it mean more cars can be made (so hopefully reducing waiting times on a Seven) the new setup means production, engineering, motorsport and commercial teams all under one roof. Amazingly enough, it’s the first time that’s happened in the history of Caterham. 

A pretty big deal, then, and rather more than just a new space for building Sevens. That being said, production is a big part of why Dartford X has happened, with the old Kennett Road factory not really able to keep up with Caterham demand. No surprise, really, given the cars had been made there since 1987. Capacity has now increased by 50 per cent, meaning that 750 cars a year can be made rather than the previous 500 that was almost always spoken for.

Hopefully the relocation will ensure production is no longer bursting at the seams. Dartford X houses an engine shop, parts warehouse, the ‘very latest’ paint booths and 33 individual bays for assembly. Caterhams says the new arrangement will ‘enable the business to operate in a more streamlined and efficient manner.’

Buyers, both prospective and actual, will be able to experience Caterham’s new home as well. Factory tours are bookable now, and the plan is eventually to have proper customer experiences in Dartford as well, including events and handovers. CEO Bob Laishley added: “Caterham fans and customers will also be able to see first-hand where our cars are assembled. It’s a hugely impressive modern facility and I have no doubt they’ll be blown away by it. I certainly am and I know our staff are thrilled to be operating in such a world-class facility.”  Good news all round, then - expect the first Dartford X Seven to roll out of the doors some point soon. And if waiting for a Caterham from the new factory is just too much to bear, you know where to look for those available right now…

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• Caterham 620R wins best track of last 25 years
• All-electric Caterham Project V revealed

[dinkel]

Fantastic: In my 1985 dreams everyone drove a Caterham or 7 variation.

Esecially today they'd make great commuter transportation: light, compact and simple.

EV them for a daily 60 mile run and produce a variant with a Mazda engine in: problems sorted!

There's just no way folks would look on their phones while driving one of these eh?

Edited by dinkel on Wednesday 5th June 12:27

[sutts]

Looks great. Enough parking for a compact PH Sunday Service meeting?

[Truckosaurus]

dinkel said:

..Especially today they'd make great commuter transportation: light, compact and simple....

Indeed. The low power, light weight concept is even more relevant these days, when even tiny hatchbacks are a decent size and full of electronic 'driver aids'.

I wonder what the future for ICE based 'kit cars' will be as the manufacturers stop making non-hybrid engines, and could you still register a new Caterham if/when an ICE ban comes along.

[dunnoreally]

If we don't now see a high-revving perhaps bike-engine model nicknamed the "Dartford Warbler", that would be a tremendous missed opportunity.

[Gecko1978]

I always hoped there would be a new Caterham like the concept some years back but alas I think not and I think kit cars as an option are sadly a dying breed. Enjoy while you can

[Mysstree]

Nice to see real workers doing real work rather than the chair sitters and keyboard clones.
Wonder what the size of the workforce is.
Photo set seems to be issued to meet the now mandatory DEI requirements.
Wish them well and they are in my home county (just). Would be ironic if a car production facility got absorbed into the Caliphate in the future.
Would guess Caterham (that would be the chair sitters) have gauged the market as to whether such a large production increase is sustainable.
Will it produce a drop in used values with more vehicles around?

[AKjr]

Great news and hopefully they can go from strength to strength, although I don't know how they are performing, these days? Good mood music in the article about previously bursting at the seams etc, though.

I have a 360 in the garage, which is criminally under used, I need to have a word with myself....

[GTRene]

great to see and well done for Caterham, looks like a good place to make cars.

[valiant]

Good to see a success story with such an iconic car.

Good luck to them.

[andyj007]

Still the most expsensive rip of colection of parts with incredably bad engineering .. I cant belive people are still willing to pay the obscene prices for thsi collection of bits ..
Ive had one it was fun ,, but 100% not wrth the sort of money they charge
]

[cerb4.5lee]

I nipped out earlier in mine, and it never fails to raise a smile. I love how small and light it is, such an engaging driving experience for sure. The gearbox is a bit of a pig when it is cold though.

[Skaben]

andyj007 said:

Still the most expsensive rip of colection of parts with incredably bad engineering .. I cant belive people are still willing to pay the obscene prices for thsi collection of bits ..
Ive had one it was fun ,, but 100% not wrth the sort of money they charge
]

I kind of agree. I really like the idea but I can't wrap my head around how much they cost for a design that hasnt changed in 100 years! Positive that enough people are buying to see some investment put into car manufacturing

[edoverheels]

I didn't know Caterham were doing an off road 7 now.

Look at the ground clearance on that pale blue one in the first picture!

[cerb4.5lee]

Skaben said:

andyj007 said:

Still the most expsensive rip of colection of parts with incredably bad engineering .. I cant belive people are still willing to pay the obscene prices for thsi collection of bits ..
Ive had one it was fun ,, but 100% not wrth the sort of money they charge
]

I kind of agree. I really like the idea but I can't wrap my head around how much they cost for a design that hasnt changed in 100 years! Positive that enough people are buying to see some investment put into car manufacturing

They do seem expensive new I agree now. They still seem to be selling well though in fairness anyway.

[nismo48]

Good luck to them

[malaccamax]

Mysstree said:

Nice to see real workers doing real work rather than the chair sitters and keyboard clones.
Wonder what the size of the workforce is.
Photo set seems to be issued to meet the now mandatory DEI requirements.
Wish them well and they are in my home county (just). Would be ironic if a car production facility got absorbed into the Caliphate in the future.
Would guess Caterham (that would be the chair sitters) have gauged the market as to whether such a large production increase is sustainable.
Will it produce a drop in used values with more vehicles around?

Surely you forgot to mention how sad it is workers are no longer allow to pin grot to the walls

[tr3a]

edoverheels said:

I didn't know Caterham were doing an off road 7 now.

Look at the ground clearance on that pale blue one in the first picture!

Have you considered it may be an as yet unfinished car, sans engine?

[Meteor Madness]

I thought the received wisdom was that it is also necessary to sell huge SUVs to be a viable sports car company nowadays?

[romac]

dunnoreally said:

If we don't now see a high-revving perhaps bike-engine model nicknamed the "Dartford Warbler", that would be a tremendous missed opportunity.

Grey upper parts with purple-ish brown under parts? I think that would be a long-tail version

cerb4.5lee said:

Skaben said:

andyj007 said:

Still the most expsensive rip of colection of parts with incredably bad engineering .. I cant belive people are still willing to pay the obscene prices for thsi collection of bits ..
Ive had one it was fun ,, but 100% not wrth the sort of money they charge
]

I kind of agree. I really like the idea but I can't wrap my head around how much they cost for a design that hasnt changed in 100 years! Positive that enough people are buying to see some investment put into car manufacturing

They do seem expensive new I agree now. They still seem to be selling well though in fairness anyway.

Struggled a bit deciphering that original message but...
...it is not correct to assume that, because it looks an old design, there have been no development costs. Plus parts, employment costs, low volume, legislation - they all affect the price.

I wish them all the very best!

[edoverheels]

tr3a said:

Have you considered it may be an as yet unfinished car, sans engine?

It's a widebody and so they are just leaving some slack for a couple of heavies to get in.