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James Dyson scraps plans to build electric car | James Dyson scraps plans to build electric car |
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The billionaire inventor Sir James Dyson has scrapped plans to build an electric car after deciding the project was not commercially viable. | The billionaire inventor Sir James Dyson has scrapped plans to build an electric car after deciding the project was not commercially viable. |
Dyson, who is one of the most prominent business figures to back Brexit, confirmed in 2017 that he planned to invest £2.5bn in technologies including a battery-powered vehicle, which was due to roll off production lines in 2021. | |
But in an email to staff on Thursday, he said that while his automotive team had built a “fantastic car” the project had ultimately been unsuccessful. | But in an email to staff on Thursday, he said that while his automotive team had built a “fantastic car” the project had ultimately been unsuccessful. |
“[…] Though we have tried very hard throughout the development process, we simply can no longer see a way to make it commercially viable,” he said. | “[…] Though we have tried very hard throughout the development process, we simply can no longer see a way to make it commercially viable,” he said. |
The entrepreneur told staff he had tried to sell the division, which employs 523 people, but that no buyer had been forthcoming. | The entrepreneur told staff he had tried to sell the division, which employs 523 people, but that no buyer had been forthcoming. |
In a statement, the company said it hoped to find employment elsewhere in the company for most of the staff who were working on the project, including 498 in the UK. | In a statement, the company said it hoped to find employment elsewhere in the company for most of the staff who were working on the project, including 498 in the UK. |
“This is not a product failure, or a failure of the team, for whom this news will be hard to hear and digest,” Dyson said. “Their achievements have been immense – given the enormity and complexity of the project.” | “This is not a product failure, or a failure of the team, for whom this news will be hard to hear and digest,” Dyson said. “Their achievements have been immense – given the enormity and complexity of the project.” |
“For those who cannot, or do not wish to, find alternative roles, we will support them fairly and with the respect deserved.” | “For those who cannot, or do not wish to, find alternative roles, we will support them fairly and with the respect deserved.” |
He announced plans last year to invest £200m in a testing facility on a former second world war airfield at Hullavington, near the company’s facility at Malmesbury, Wiltshire. | He announced plans last year to invest £200m in a testing facility on a former second world war airfield at Hullavington, near the company’s facility at Malmesbury, Wiltshire. |
But Dyson faced criticism for deciding to build a factory to produce the “radically different” vehicle in Singapore, after moving the company’s headquarters there. | But Dyson faced criticism for deciding to build a factory to produce the “radically different” vehicle in Singapore, after moving the company’s headquarters there. |
“Since day one we have taken risks and dared to challenge the status quo with new products and technologies,” he said on Thursday. | “Since day one we have taken risks and dared to challenge the status quo with new products and technologies,” he said on Thursday. |
“Such an approach drives progress, but has never been an easy journey – the route to success is never linear. | “Such an approach drives progress, but has never been an easy journey – the route to success is never linear. |
“This is not the first project which has changed direction and it will not be the last.” | “This is not the first project which has changed direction and it will not be the last.” |
Prof David Bailey, of Aston Business School, said: “It never stacked up as a commercial proposition, it seemed more like a vanity project on his part. | Prof David Bailey, of Aston Business School, said: “It never stacked up as a commercial proposition, it seemed more like a vanity project on his part. |
“Tesla have poured billions into it and haven’t made a profit – or are barely profitable. Volkswagen and Ford are having to collaborate on research and development, similarly Jaguar Land Rover and BMW. You need really big scale to recoup the cost of R&D.” | “Tesla have poured billions into it and haven’t made a profit – or are barely profitable. Volkswagen and Ford are having to collaborate on research and development, similarly Jaguar Land Rover and BMW. You need really big scale to recoup the cost of R&D.” |
Dyson, best known in the UK for inventing a bagless vacuum cleaner, revealed draft designs for the car earlier this year, publishing plans he said were “deliberately light on specifics”. | Dyson, best known in the UK for inventing a bagless vacuum cleaner, revealed draft designs for the car earlier this year, publishing plans he said were “deliberately light on specifics”. |
Bailey said patents filed during the car’s development could now be sold off to automotive companies working on developing their own battery-powered cars. | Bailey said patents filed during the car’s development could now be sold off to automotive companies working on developing their own battery-powered cars. |
“You had to wonder if they had such fantastic technology why they didn’t just licence it,” he said. “That might now be a feasible path.” | “You had to wonder if they had such fantastic technology why they didn’t just licence it,” he said. “That might now be a feasible path.” |
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Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars |
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