Longbow Unveils Warwickshire Production Plans for Electric Speedster

British carmaker Longbow has announced plans to begin manufacturing its hand-built electric sports car at the Mira Tech Park in Nuneaton next year. Co-chief executive officers Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott showcased the limited-edition Speedster to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker. The project is set to be followed by the firm's Roadster model, with expectations that the initiative will create over 200 skilled jobs in the region.

The venture has secured three million pounds in backing from a government fund, part of a wider fifty million pound initiative aimed at accelerating the UK transition to electric vehicle manufacturing. According to the West Midlands Combined Authority, this public funding will be match-funded by Longbow, which states an ambition to manufacture more than ten thousand cars annually.

Discussing the strategic decision to base operations in the West Midlands, Davey noted that the region offers critical advantages for low-volume vehicle assembly. He highlighted local access to a specialized supply chain, engineering talent, and industry know-how, asserting that such a vehicle relies heavily on domestic components.

The Speedster commands a price tag of around eighty-five thousand pounds, with a waiting list of prospective buyers from across the globe. Powered by regional expertise, the all-British vehicle was taken from initial concept to test track at Mira in less than two years, drawing on designers based nearby in Leamington Spa and engineers from across the wider area.

From a leadership perspective, the development underscores the viability of localized manufacturing ecosystems for low-volume, high-margin specialist vehicles. Industry observers have suggested the project mirrors early moves in the electric vehicle market by focusing on lightweight, fast sports cars, demonstrating ongoing research and development strengths in the region.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds noted that the government investment is designed to strengthen the domestic supply chain and bolster the automotive industry. Meanwhile, local leaders emphasized the region's long-standing automotive heritage as a primary driver for attracting a new generation of manufacturers.

While the venture highlights strengths in specialized production, broader market analysts caution that wider automotive manufacturing in the area requires continued support to navigate ongoing competitive pressures and sustain long-term growth across the sector.

Source: BBC News — 'You cannot build this car anywhere else in the world'.