A vintage 1950s van, known as the Morris J-Type, is set to return after undergoing modernization in South Wales. The updated, all-electric version, referred to as the Morris JE, will be manufactured at a new facility located in Bro Tathan, St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan.
The initiative is expected to create approximately 150 skilled jobs, as announced by the Welsh government. The new Morris JE will feature some of the classic design elements of the original van, including its distinctive pear-shaped grille. According to Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans, the project is poised to leverage Wales’s automotive sector and evolving supply chain.
Evans stated that Wales is an appropriate location for the Morris JE due to its supportive environment for innovative and low-carbon technologies. She emphasized the potential for well-paying employment opportunities for skilled workers involved in the project.
Morris Commercial is receiving financial backing from the Welsh government’s Economy Futures Funding to set up this facility, marking it as Wales’s first production site for electric vehicles. Dr. Qu Li, the CEO of Morris Commercial, characterized the facility as a significant opportunity to fulfill the vehicle orders from awaiting customers.
The all-electric Morris JE will be a carbon-neutral and zero-emission vehicle, built with a new aluminum chassis and a carbon-fiber body that includes recycled materials. The vehicle is projected to have an operational range of 250 miles (approximately 400 kilometers). The launch of the reimagined Morris JE is scheduled for late 2026.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5ql70pd4go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss