Dyson tags Singapore for NEV plant

JAMES Dyson, the billionaire British inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner, has chosen to build his electric car in Singapore to be close to Asian customers, supply chains and a highly skilled workforce.

The 71-year-old entrepreneur already manufactures products such as hair dryers, air purification systems and bladeless fans in Asia, while its research and development remains in Britain.

Dyson announced a US$2.6 billion move into electric cars last year after a 400-strong British-based engineering team spent two and a half years working on the project in secret.

“The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets, and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions,” Dyson Chief Executive Jim Rowan said.

Carmakers are stepping up investment in electric vehicles in response to ever-tightening emissions restrictions and penalties on the use of internal combustion engines.

Singapore is a densely populated city-state and one of the world’s most expensive places to own a car.

But it has trade agreements with China and Japan and Rowan said the comparatively high cost base would be offset by its technology expertise and focus.

“It is therefore the right place to make high-quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle,” he said.