TVR revives production with base in Wales

TVR aims to produce up to 2,000 cars by 2022

Sports car manufacturer TVR will open a factory in Ebbw Vale Wales with plans to start production in 2017. The announcement comes after Aston Martin recently revealed that it will open a site at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, 40 miles south of Ebbw Vale.

A two-seater convertible featuring a V8 engine is schedule for release next year as TVR intends to introduce four new models over the next 10 years. The company aims to produce a few hundred units a year and make up to 2,000 cars by 2022.    

The factory is expected to create around 150 jobs in the area, bolstering the Welsh government’s effort to improve local economy and employment rates. Ebbw Vale is also set to become home to the £325m Circuit of Wales project for a racetrack and a motor sports centre.

“Today’s news follows hot on the heels of the Aston Martin announcement and sends out a strong, clear message that Wales is the location of choice for advanced manufacturing,” commented Welsh first minister, Carwyn Jones.

TVR was founded in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson in Blackpool and the company created it first automobile in 1949. Video games mogul Les Edgar, now chairman of TVR, bought the company in 2013.

“This is a fantastic opportunity both for TVR and the Welsh government,” said Edgar. “South Wales is becoming a major hub for automotive and motor sport technology and development and I am delighted TVR is investing here.”