What Happened to all the Independant Vehicle Manufacturers?

During recent discussions it became clear that independent vehicle manufacturers were almost a thing of the past, most being swallowed up by big organisations, even in the military sector with, as mentioned in a previous post, Force protection being taken over by BAE Systems. However, as we are keen on Social Media, I decided to search around to see if I could find any manufacturers that we did not know that were also using Social Media (Social Media Marketing is an inexpensive way for SME’s to get messages to wide audience).

I was very surprised to find just how many are out there, designing and developing new vehicles using all kinds of new technologies, some even being nominated for awards.

Electric vehicles and specialist vehicles seem to be the main drive of this sector, as they need something that the “big boys” don’t have in order to compete.  They are spread a bit across the world and the range of vehicles astounding. Right from the tiny electric “ambulances” made in Italy by Alke to the monster mining trucks made by ETF.

Some of the others are more aimed at passenger vehicles such as Switch-Vehicles slightly reminiscent of the Aerial Atom (another independent but quite well known) or CODA Automotive an electric family saloon with 150 mile range. There is also Tesla motors and Fisker Auto both making full electric sports cars and ZAP Alias. The off road vehicle sector is well served by  Ibex Vehicles a rather Landrover-esque vehicle built in UK, and a very interesting vehicle that really ought to have military applications from Shadowhawk  with 44 inches of ground clearance!

It just goes to show that there are more, small independent vehicle manufacturers out there than you think there are over and above the likes of Morgan, or Dennis Eagle (refuse collection vehicles). The fact that I have been in the automotive industry for nearly 30 years, and have not heard of half of these companies, gives me hope for the independent vehicle manufacturers’ future.

Please pass this post on to all your friends to help support these independent manufacturers and grow their brands.