Detroit Electric delays SP:01 again

Detroit Electric, the new startup with an old name, said it is delaying production because it hasn't secured a lease or purchase agreement for its manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Mich. It is also talking to some new partners, though the company declined to name them.

North American president Don Graunstadt told the Detroit News, “To further elaborate at this juncture is, unfortunately, not possible as Detroit Electric have entered into negotiations with other parties that have the potential to impact our business strategy and timing,” Graunstadt said. Not only are we legally bound to maintain the confidentiality of the discussions, any comment would by the nature of the situation be pure speculation due to the variables involved.”

The original plan was to produce 2,500 electric, Lotus-based sports cars somewhere in the Motor City, planning to hire more than 100 local workers. The SP:01 would sell for about $135,000, while the company hoped to produce a high-volume second model with the profits.

We talked to Detroit Electric back in April when it told us the SP:01 would deliver 201 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque from its mid-mounted motor. The SP:01 would have a range of 180 miles and weigh in at just 2,403 pounds. The plan was to build 999 examples of the roadster, before expanding its portfolio.

By Jake Lingeman