Bicester: Electric vehicle maker continues rapid expansion

Electric van maker Arrival has taken on another new property at Network @ Link 9 in Bicester as it continues its rapid expansion.

The Oxfordshire and London based company has acquired Unit 6 comprising 30,000 sq ft for their composites production facility on a 10-year lease at £8.25 per sq ft. The deal agreed by VSL & Partners and White Commercial for landlord Barings Real Estate Advisers comes hard on the heels of the letting at Unit 1A Link 9 to Arrival in February.

Arrival is 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.

The company secured a £90 million investment from South Korean car firms Hyundai and Kia earlier this year and has achieved 'unicorn' status. Arrival occupies offices in London as well as R&D centres in Banbury, the USA, Germany, Russia, Netherlands and Israel. It also plans to build 'micro factories' near Los Angeles and New York.

VSL director Tom Barton has previously secured manufacturing facilities for Arrival in Banbury, Oxford and Bicester and explained: “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.”

Glenn Saint, chief of commercial vehicles at Arrival, said: “Arrival is 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.”

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. VSL and White Commercial are marketing the remaining unit.