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Korean firm to assemble electric vehicles in Hawaii

CT&T plans regional assembly facilities across the US to benefit from the popularity of "locally-made" vehicles

Korean electric vehicle manufacturer CT&T is to establish a vehicle assembly facility in Hawaii.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the State of Hawaii last week, committing itself to build a facility that would make 10,000 two-seater electric vehicles a year.

The new plant is also expected to assemble electric buses and four-seater electric vehicles.

CT&T’s CEO, the former Hyundai executive Young Gi Lee, met with Hawaii Governor, Linda Lingle, on Thursday to sign the agreement, which will provide state support for the project.

Mr Lee said: “Our existing plants in Korea and China, our overseas branches in the US, Japan and China and our Regional Assembly and Sales (R.A.S.) centers in the U.S., Europe and Japan are part of our global network and will help us to grow and build a leading, recognizable and eco-friendly electric vehicle company.”

CT&T

CT&T, which was founded in 2002, currently has manufacturing facilities in South Korea and China.

The company produces its own motors and batteries as well as the eZone electric vehicle itself. Its business model is to carry out final assembly of its vehicles at regional facilities where the vehicles are sold.

Along with the Hawaiian plant, it is planning several US facilities to begun production and sales in 2010. The firm is aiming to have 40 of its regional facilities in operation across the US by 2012.

“Made in Hawaii”

The Korean company is hoping its vehicles are made popular locally in Hawaii by the “Made in Hawaii” status.

Hawaiian officials said the new assembly plant there will create jobs for local residents, and should mean CT&T’s electric vehicles are cheaper for Hawaiians than imported vehicles.

CT&T said it is planning an “eco-friendly” assembly facility, to be designed and constructed by architect Stan Field along with designed Young Se Kim.

The facility will spread across three acres including a showroom, electric vehicle theme park and a resort complex built alongside.

The company plans to sell its vehicles direct through its on-site showroom rather than third-party dealerships.