Dyson picks Singapore to host new electric car factory

UK-based electronics company Dyson has chosen to manufacture its new electric car in Singapore, a decision which the company said has nothing to do with Brexit.

Construction of the new plant in Singapore, which is one of the most expensive places in the world to do business, will begin before the end of the year and 2021 is the target year for the first vehicle to roll off the lot.

The company said the project, which it has committed to spend £2bn on, will be located in the South Asian city-state because of "supply chains, access to markets and the availability of the expertise".

Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said: “Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus. It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle.”

The famous vacuum manufacturer already employs 1,100 people in Singapore where it manufactures electric motors.

None of the company’s products are manufactured in the UK but Dyson has still tripled its UK workforce to 4,800 in the last five years after founding a new engineering institute.

The company’s founder, James Dyson, is an ardent supporter of Brexit and commented recently that leaving the EU with no deal in place would make “no difference”.

Critics pointed out that his company may manage to avoid Brexit related difficulties but other car manufacturers with supply chains that see components crossing between the UK and Continental Europe remain set to lose out.