Electric car startup could keep the Nummi plant opened
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
Aurica Motors LLC is considering a plan for the California joint venture between Toyota and General Motors to remain open by building zero emission vehicles there.
For the past three months, Aurica has negotiated the plan with New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. In a phone interview, Aurica General Manager Matt Pitagora said that they aim to keep the plant open by a viable plan to instead manufacture electric cars. Pitagora said Aurica is a little-known start-up based in Santa Clara, Calif., with eight employees and unpublicized finances. Continued after the jump!
However, Aurica suggests that within two years, electric vehicles be produced at Nummi, the Fremont, Calif., joint venture set up by Toyota Motors Corp. and GM in 1984.
The factory is set to close down on March 31. GM quit from the venture last year as part of its reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Toyota responded that it would soon follow because the plant can’t be financially viable without GM as a partner.
Needless to say, the closure is a source of political friction point for Toyota. California officials have pressured Toyota to keep Nummi open and save jobs.
But Toyota has said the decision is final. Starting April, Aurica would begin training Nummi‚ workforce of 4,700 people, Aurica said in a press release. Pitagora said that the aim is to keep as many of them as possible on the payroll.
[via autonews - sub. required]
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