Good news: GMA declares its new factory open
Gordon Murray Automotive's purpose-built Vehicle Production Centre in Surrey is up and running
Honestly, you look away for two minutes and someone has built a car factory. It certainly doesn’t seem like the best part of four years since Gordon Murray announced that his eponymous company would be moving to a new 54-acre site in Surrey. But looking back, GMA said at the time that it expected to move into its new manufacturing facility in 2024 - and hey presto, here we are.
Apparently the purpose-built Vehicle Production Centre has already begun assembling the new T.50 (taking over from GMA’s site at Dunsfold, which will now focus on the T.33 prototypes) and incorporates a Vehicle Dynamics Test Road to allow the firm to conduct its final validation and pre-delivery checks on site. Additionally, owners can choose to collect their cars from Highams Park itself, via a dedicated Driving Perfection Customer Centre.
“The new Gordon Murray Automotive HQ at Highams Park represents a significant investment for the business and is a statement of intent for the company’s future,” said Phillip Lee, the Gordon Murray Group CEO. “It is extremely satisfying that we’re able to continue T.50 manufacturing at the new site, while also streamlining production of T.33 development prototypes.”
The building is the result of more than £50m investment in the site, and as well as consolidating logistics, parts supply and testing, will function as the firm’s headquarters. It will be responsible for building all future models, and GMA reckons it is on track to complete all 100 T.50 customer cars before switching to the planned production run of 25 track-only T.50s Niki Lauda derivatives. It will then transfer to making the incoming T.33.
“Moving production of our T.33 experimental prototype monocoques into the vacated Dunsfold Park facility accelerates the programme and boosts efficiencies significantly,” reckons GMA CEO, Mofid Elkemiri. “We are already making excellent progress with T.33 development with our first three mule cars undergoing intensive early testing. The move means we’ll soon be at the stage to share details about the prototype with customers and fans around the world.”
Some of the details we know already. The T.33 dispenses with the T.50’s complicated fan, and is projected to weigh in at just 1,090kg. Tantalisingly, that minuscule kerbweight will still be powered by the 3.9-litre Cosworth-built V12, in 617hp format. With a six-speed manual. And the ability to rev past 11,000rpm. Like the T.50, it promises to be quite the prospect for the 200 owners (100 for the coupe, another 100 for the Spider) who have found the seven-figure sum needed to buy one. Expect them to feel right at home in Windlesham.
T.50: Originally supposed to start deliveries in January 2022 - Jay Kay had a "delivery event" just last week, but the car is still not registered and I don't think he's actually taken delivery of it.
T.33: Originally supposed to be delivered about 15 months after the T.50 - no clue when this is gonna happen, they only started running first prototypes this year, so it might still be 2 years out or more.
The buildings: 2024 was supposed to be the year when ALL THREE planned buildings were finished - So far, only ONE is finished and I don't think they even started on the other two.
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