A iconic 1950s Morris van is set for an electric revival with production confirmed for Wales in a move that will create 150 high-skilled jobs. Morris Commercial Ltd has chosen the Welsh Government-owned Bro Tathan business park in the Vale of Glamorgan as the manufacturing home for its modern electric reinterpretation of the classic Morris J-Type van.
Welsh Facility Secures UK-Wide Competition
The company selected Wales after considering multiple sites across the UK, despite receiving financial incentives from other locations. The project will occupy a 50,000 square foot former Ministry of Defence hangar at Bro Tathan, with surrounding land available for potential future expansion.
John Killick, senior consultant with Morris Commercial, explained their decision: "We did look at different locations around the UK, which also had incentives, but we found the base in Wales was just what we needed." He particularly praised the site's infrastructure, noting that many modern industrial sites lack adequate electric vehicle charging facilities.
Technical Specifications and Production Timeline
The new Morris JE will retain the distinctive appearance of its 1950s predecessor while incorporating advanced modern technology. The vehicle features a lightweight recycled carbon fibre monocoque body that contributes to its impressive 250-mile average range while carrying a half-ton payload.
Production will follow a component assembly model, with the fibre glass bodies manufactured in Milton Keynes before transportation to Wales for final assembly. The facility will also include a paint shop, with the first vehicle expected to roll off the production line in late 2026.
Dr Qu Li, chief executive of Morris Commercial, expressed excitement about the project: "We are excited to have our Morris JE volume production facility in Bro Tathan soon. This will enable us to start to deliver vehicles to long waited customers."
Market Position and Government Support
The Morris JE will retail at £61,000 plus VAT, with leasing options available. The company anticipates strong demand from both individual consumers and businesses, particularly targeting sectors such as artisan bakers and parcel delivery services.
Initial production will focus on the UK domestic market using a build-to-sell model, with expectations to ramp up to 1,000 vehicles annually within approximately three years.
The Welsh Government is supporting the project with £1.2 million from its Economy Futures Fund, which will be released in stages as the company meets agreed investment and job creation targets.
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, commented: "With our innovative landscape and support for low carbon concepts, Wales is a natural home for the Morris JE. This exciting project will benefit from the robust automotive sector and supply chain cluster we are developing here in Wales."
The zero-emission Morris JE is positioned to compete with established commercial vehicles including the Ford Transit Custom, Vauxhall Vivaro, and the increasingly popular VW ID Buzz.
