The Morgan Motor Company has today announced its plans to produce an exciting, all-new vehicle in 2011 – the Morgan Three Wheeler. The product is a modern ‘take’ on what is probably the most iconic Morgan of all time, although the new vehicle will embrace modern manufacturing technology and will be the most environmentally-friendly product in the Morgan line-up.

From its initial concept, the project to design and develop the vehicle has been supported by the Niche Vehicle Network, and as a result it will be manufactured almost entirely in the West Midlands region. 

‘Uniquely, we organised a supplier event at Morgan, when the project was at its initial feasibility stage, attended by 26 specialist automotive companies from the West Midlands region, who convinced Morgan that they could add value to the processes of design, development and manufacturing’ said Dr Viv Stephens, representing the Niche Vehicle Network.

‘As a result, 12 of these companies have become partners or suppliers to the project, which will be a great benefit to the region in terms of jobs throughout the supply chain and also at Morgan. Niche vehicle design and manufacturing are real strengths in the region and our focus is to promote collaborative working to produce competitive and innovative new products.’

Steve Morris, Manufacturing Operations Director at Morgan, commented ‘Without the support of the Niche Vehicle Network, the project would not have gone ahead at this time. Ironically, the need to invest in developing new products is crucial during economic downturn, so that they are market-ready as the economy recovers. The grant funding and support we have received has been vital in exploiting this opportunity, not just for Morgan but also for the specialist supply chain in the region.’

Development of the vehicle is expected to be completed in early 2011 and it will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.