VIA Motors, a U.S. based all-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced Tuesday that it will establish a 98,000-square-foot headquarters and technical center in Auburn Hills.
The company says it anticipates the facility will be home to a workforce of up to 300 people working in high-wage jobs. No timeframe was specified.
Supported by a $2.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Michigan Strategic Fund, the new VIA Motors will act as a regional hub for VIA’s vehicle design and testing, including the development of prototype vehicles.
“Our goal is to provide the best electric work trucks for fleets everywhere, and this facility is critical to achieving that goal,” says Bob Purcell, CEO of VIA Motors. “We’re excited and proud to partner with the city of Auburn Hills and the state of Michigan, tapping into the region’s automotive expertise to help global fleets shift towards a zero emission, commercial electric vehicle future.”
VIA Motors offers a full portfolio of electric work trucks from classes 2-5 with a variety of configurations. From box trucks and cutaways to stake trucks and walk-in vans, VIA provides tailored electric solutions for fleets that meet their needs at costs they can afford.
The company says it chose Michigan because of the state’s “robust supply chain for electric vehicles and mobility.” In addition, the knowledge and skill level of talent in the auto industry and the state’s leadership in the industry are expected to benefit the company as it continues to grow.
“We’re a region and state of innovators, it’s in our DNA,” says Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “VIA Motors is a high-tech company that’s going to be headquartered in the Detroit region as we continue to deliver cutting-edge automotive and advanced mobility technology to the world.”
VIA Motors is in a pending transaction with Ideanomics, a global group with a mission to accelerate the commercial adoption of electric vehicles. Once it becomes part of Ideanomics, VIA is expected to be able to offer a total package that makes it easy for fleets to transition to electric drive — vehicles, charging infrastructure, and financing.
VIA’s technical center in Orem, Utah, will continue to operate as an R&D facility and hub for the western United States. The two technical centers will support VIA’s prototyping, as they finalize their full production manufacturing facility.
For more information on VIA Motors, visit here. Those interested in careers with the company can visit here.
