Caterham Stays Firmly Rooted in the UK, Despite Japanese Ownership: Managing Director Discusses New Facility and Production Expansion

Caterham, a renowned British sports car manufacturer, recently made a significant move by opening a new production facility in Dartford. Despite being owned by Japan-based VT Holdings, the company’s managing director, Bob Laishley, emphasized the importance of keeping production in the UK.

In an exclusive interview with Car Dealer, Laishley highlighted the advantages of the new location, which is just down the road from Caterham’s previous site. He mentioned that the transition to the new facility went smoothly, allowing the company to maintain or even increase its production volume.

One of the key reasons for keeping production in the UK, according to Laishley, is the artisan nature of manufacturing each car. With each vehicle being built by an individual from start to finish, moving production overseas would require retraining staff and could potentially jeopardize the business. The pride in having “Made in Great Britain” on the cars further solidifies the decision to keep production local.

The new 54,000 sq ft facility provides Caterham with the much-needed capacity to fulfill a significant number of new orders. Previously, customers were facing a long waiting list of up to 14 months, but the additional production capacity now allows the company to meet the demand more efficiently.

The expansion of production capacity also opens up opportunities for Caterham to explore new markets and work with potential new dealers. Laishley mentioned that in the past, the company had to turn down interested dealers due to being over-subscribed in terms of production capacity. However, with the new facility, Caterham can now consider expanding its reach and satisfying the demand from various markets.

Overall, the decision to keep production in the UK while expanding capacity demonstrates Caterham’s commitment to its heritage and craftsmanship. The company’s ability to adapt to market demands and maintain its reputation for high-quality sports cars is a testament to its success in the industry.