The new DeLorean Motor Company says it will start building NEW DeLorean cars…
A new company in Texas, USA, DeLorean Motor Company which has no relation to the original company has announced it will begin building new Delorean cars.
WHEN THE FIRST DeLorean Motor Company kicked off in the 1970s it was the sizzle and not the steak (the DMC-12) that its automotive marketing guru, John DeLorean tried to sell. But, sadly, the Northern Ireland built cars weren’t very well screwed together and the company failed, with DeLorean eventually ending up in jail… for drugs possession. Long story…
But now the new DeLorean Motor Company, and let’s leave aside the Back to the Future jokes, has announced that the passing of new legislation in the US means it can begin building new DeLorean cars. The company has previously only been a restoration house and subject to the same restrictions and red tape as those companies producing thousands and thousands of cars each year.
The Bill that’s made all the difference is the Low Volume Vehicle Manufacturers Act 2015 which allows small car makers (less than 5000 cars a year) to produce around 325 replica vehicles each year that are 25 years old or older.
“The new law provides common-sense regulatory relief for small businesses that would otherwise be treated as if they were producing millions of cars. The companies are required to register with NHTSA and EPA, and file annual production reports. The replica vehicles will be subject to equipment standards, recalls and remedies,” the DeLorean Motor Company said in a statement.
“The vehicles must meet current Clean Air Act standards for the model year in which they are produced. The new law allows the low volume vehicle manufacturer to meet the standards by installing an engine and emissions equipment produced by another automaker (GM, Ford, etc.) for a similar EPA-certified vehicle configuration or a crate engine that has been granted a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO). This reasonable regulatory reform will also spur innovation, including advances in alternative-fuel and green vehicle technologies.”
According to DeLorean Motor Company it’s been working to find engine suppliers and other parts in anticipation if this law being passed for production to begin in 2017. That said, “A number of hurdles exist before production can begin, and we’re still early on in this process of determining the feasibility of moving forward,” the company said.
The company said it’s looking at engine options in the 300-400hp range and wheels in either 17- or 18-inches, which would be a step up from the original DMC-12’s 150hp output and small 14- and 15-inch wheels.
Back to the new future 2017