British Electric Vehicle Maker RBW Breaks Ground on First U.S. Manufacturing Plant

New facility to become the U.S. home of RBW's classic electric sports cars and Spirit EV's proprietary electric powertrain integration technology

DANVILLE, Va., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RBW EV Cars, a global manufacturer of new, hand-crafted British classic electric sports cars, has officially broken ground on an all-new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Danville, Virginia, its first in the United States. RBW previously announced in late 2024 that it had secured a deal with the State of Virginia to build an automotive manufacturing and technology park. Official groundbreaking and build-out of the $8 million facility are now underway, marking a major milestone in the company's North American expansion.

Located in the Cane Creek Centre industrial park, the 29,000-square-foot new automotive hub will be home to RBW's assembly operations, sales, and marketing teams. It will also house Spirit EV, the patented electric vehicle integrated system that powers RBW EVs and delivers scalable electrification systems for automakers and specialty builders. Spirit EV's research and design, engineering, and proprietary EV build program teams will all operate out of Danville.

"RBW EV Cars has dedicated nearly a decade to developing bespoke electric vehicles that honor classic British design while delivering cutting-edge electrification. From the beginning of its operation, the company has been focused on bringing a global EV platform to market that could transcend how automakers design and engineer their own platforms. This is where Spirit EV comes in. We will now have R&D facilities in both the U.K. and U.S.," said Peter Swain, CEO of RBW EV Cars.

The U.S. operations, led by NASCAR veteran Peyton Sellers, will create both local and national jobs, and will significantly bolster Virginia's automotive industry. Production at the facility will initially focus on RBW's left-hand drive Roadster and GT models, tailored specifically for American drivers. RBW plans to unveil additional product development initiatives and future vehicle lines in Fall 2025.

"Creating a workforce for RBW EV Cars and Spirit EV here in Danville is our top priority. Breaking ground and preparing the city for its first major automotive player is exciting. We are not only generating jobs, but we are also creating a new automotive hub for the industry to lean in on. The proprietary EV platform Spirit EV has developed allows an automaker to literally plug and play, saving them millions in R&D," said Peyton Sellers, Director of U.S. Operations.  

The facility buildout is being completed with American contractors and local partners. Upon completion, the Danville site will join RBW's existing United Kingdom-based operations.

ABOUT RBW EV CARS

RBW Sports & Classics Ltd., (RBW EV Cars) is a U.K.-based manufacturer of handcrafted electric vehicles that pair iconic British design with next-generation electrification. Built entirely new from the ground up, RBW's Roadster and GT models offer vintage-inspired design with modern performance and safety features. With operations in the U.K. and U.S., RBW is redefining how history and innovation can coexist in the electric era. Founded in 2017 by Peter Swain, RBW has manufacturing facilities in England's high-tech Midlands Growth Corridor and Danville, Virginia.

ABOUT SPIRIT EV

Spirit EV is a cutting-edge EV design, build and integration company offering modular, scalable and turnkey EV powertrain solutions for automakers. Led by automotive pioneer Neil Heslington, Spirit EV delivers a proprietary electric powertrain that meets global compliance standards and simplifies the electrification process across vehicle body types. Headquartered in the U.K. with a U.S. facility opening in Danville, Virginia in 2025, Spirit EV provides car builders full-service support from component sourcing to complete vehicle electrification systems.

SOURCE RBW Electric Cars