In brief: UK’s Dyson to build electric car plant in Singapore

British company Dyson, best known for premium appliances, is moving ahead with its plans to build an electric car. The firm announced today that board members have approved the construction of its first car manufacturing plant in Singapore, with the “purpose-built advanced […] facility” due for completion in 2020.

Dyson first announced it would be entering the automotive business in 2017, with the company’s founder James Dyson saying that his new cars would be “radically different” to current electric vehicles. Reports earlier this year suggest the company has ambitions for a range of EVs, with a first, high-end model followed by two less expensive vehicles designed for the mass market. The company has earmarked £2 billion (US$2.6 billion) for the scheme.

Source: The Verge

The construction of the Singapore plant will begin in December, said Dyson CEO Jim Rowan. He cites the city-state’s skilled workforce and extensive supply chain links as some of the reasons for choosing the location.

Dyson, which has been building electric car components such as electric batteries and digital motors, already has a manufacturing plant in Singapore for its existing business, as well as an R&D lab for artificial intelligence.