Niche Vehicles

The niche vehicle cluster in the Heart of England is one of, if not the, largest and most diverse concentrations of niche vehicle manufacturers and technology providers in the world. It is also one of the best integrated clusters with companies throughout the supply chain working in partnership on the development of leading products and technologies, many of which have become established in mainstream automotive production.

The region’s niche vehicle manufacturers are served by a comprehensive supply base of often small specialist companies where craftsmanship and high technology sit side-by-side:

• Caparo Aluminium Technologies designs and supplies specialist aluminium cast components.

• Coventry Prototype Panels specialises in prototyping and low volume production of vehicles and components.

• GKN AutoStructures design, development and manufacture of pressings, assemblies and chassis systems.

• Lotus Lightweight Structures manufactures lightweight aluminium and composite structures and components. Assembles the chassis for Lotus models, including the brand new Lotus Evora.

• Reynolds Technology specialises in the use of metallic tubing in custom-made projects requiring high strength-to-weight.

• Stadco is a supplier of automotive body-in-white products, with core capabilities in aluminium and steel stampings and pressings.

To encourage further innovation in the sector and promote R&D collaboration and, ultimately, expansion into overseas markets, the Heart of England is supporting a range of initiatives and programmes that have been specifically designed to support the niche vehicle sector.

Benefits to the existing niche vehicle cluster, and prospective investors include; enhanced potential for collaboration and opportunities for joint procurement of common parts, shared quality systems and even shared assembly facilities. Companies can explore these opportunities by participating in the ‘Niche Vehicle Network’, which supports the sharing of knowledge and formulating of collaborative approaches.

The universities in the region are also leading on a number of activities:

• The University of Birmingham is home to range of research and demonstrator projects that are relevant to the niche vehicle sector, including the Birmingham Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstration Project which is supporting trials of regionally designed and built light hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

• Coventry University’s Centre of Excellence for Product and Automotive Design (CEPAD) is one of the world’s leading academic and research facilities for transport design.

• The University of Warwick’s WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) works closely with international businesses of all sizes and is home to the Premium Vehicle Lightweight Technologies (PVLT) Centre of Excellence which is researching a range of lightweight materials and structural solutions.

The Heart of England recognises the importance of the niche vehicle industry to the region’s economy and it’s unique role as a key innovator and a strategic technology developer.

The region is focussing effort and resources on knowledge transfer and collaborative partnerships which will enable companies to develop and commercially exploit new technology. In addition to continued support for the Niche Vehicle Network, the region also supports a programme of collaborative R&D, specifically designed for the industry. The Advantage Niche Vehicle Collaborative Research & Development Programme provides support and grant funding to groups of companies active in the niche vehicle sector and promotes the development and application of new technologies which take advantage of the increasing market opportunities for lower carbon vehicles. The programme brings together independent vehicle manufacturers, system suppliers, specialist automotive technology companies and Universities, to collaborate on the innovative application of new technologies where they are applicable to low-volume vehicle production.

Niche vehicle businesses based in the Heart of England can also take advantage of the expertise and facilities available in world-renowned research and technology organisations such as Nuneaton-based MIRA, Ricardo’s Midlands Technical Centre (which incorporates the newly opened Ricardo Low Carbon Technology Centre), Zytek’s Electric Vehicle Technical Centre and Prodrive (which has it’s Global Automotive Technology HQ in the region).

Other key technical service providers to the region’s niche vehicle industry include:

• Altair Engineering are an international product design consulting and technology company, specialising in modelling, visualisation and process automation.

• Concept Group International offer advanced product development, and specialist carbon fibre prototyping.

• JE Engineering provide specialist engine preparation, with test cell and data acquisition facilities.

• Potenza Technology provide R&D into new automotive power trains, especially electric and hybrid systems.

The Heart of England Inward Investment team offers the following range of free and confidential services to international and UK based companies that are considering investing, expanding or pursuing other business opportunities within the region;

• Land and property searches and advice

• Tailored investment proposals addressing specific information requirements

• Regional visit programmes

• Introductions to providers of business and professional services

• Introductions to universities and research and technology providers

• Information on potential sources of financial assistance and other forms of support

Find out how well connected the Heart of England is.

Find out why the Heart of England is a great place to move your company.

Find out what else the Heart of England has to offer.

Find out more about Niche Vehicles and how easy it is to move your business here - call us on +44 (0)121 380 3500 or email.

Back to Automotive.