New expansion for electric vehicle maker in Banbury

Arrival, which operates from state of the art facilities in Southam Road, has just acquired a new manufacturing centre in Bicester.

The company has acquired a new 30,000 sq ft unit for its composites production facility on a 10-year lease Network @ Link 9 in Bicester.

The deal for Unit 6 was agreed by VSL & Partners and White Commercial for landlord Barings Real Estate Advisers.

It follows Arrival’s decision to lease Unit 1A, also at Link 9, four months ago, for use as a microfactory in a move that created 50 jobs.

The new factory space is required after Arrival secured a £90 million investment from South Korean car firms Hyundai and Kia earlier this year.

It is a creating the world’s first Generation 2 electric vehicle, using unique technologies to create affordable, purpose built electric vehicles for commercial customers.

It has trialled prototypes with a wide range of companies including Royal Mail, DHL and DPD, as well as BT. Arrival also received an investment and order of 10,000 vehicles from logistics giant UPS.

Arrival's electric van which has attracted interest from Royal Mail.

Glenn Saint, Chief of Commercial Vehicles at Arrival, said: “We are revolutionising electric vehicles with our Generation 2 solution that means customers can buy a purpose built electric vehicle for the same price or less than a petrol or diesel equivalent.

“Critical to making this possible is manufacturing in microfactories which can serve the local community and respond rapidly to local demand.”

VSL director Tom Barton, who has previously secured manufacturing facilities for Arrival in Banbury, Oxford and Bicester, said: “We are working closely with Arrival to facilitate their property requirements in Oxfordshire and are delighted to have secured a further manufacturing plant to accommodate their continuing growth.

“Arrival is bucking the current trend and taking big strides to facilitate their ability to meet demand. Their expansion is truly impressive and a testament to the technology and investment confidence in the business model.”

Network @ Link 9 is a multi-unit production and warehouse development which forms part of the 35 acre, 530,000 sq ft Link 9 commercial development in Bicester.

Only one of the seven units now remains at Network @ Link 9 - Unit 5 comprising 17,656 sq ft of high specification offices and warehouse space with service yard and car park.