New York – Electric Autombiles To Be Assembled In Central New York

New York – Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Bannon Automotive, LLC, will locate its plug-in electric vehicle manufacturing site in Central New York. The company will invest $26.6 million to open a manufacturing facility in Onondaga County, creating 250 new full-time jobs in three years. Empire State Development (ESD) has offered Bannon a $3 million capital grant to proceed with the project.

“New York’s research infrastructure and manufacturing base will help to drive the automobile industry into a cleaner future, as well as create much-needed jobs in the State,” Governor Paterson said. “By locating in Central New York, Bannon Automotive is helping to establish our State as the global leader in the clean energy economy and is building on my initiative to accelerate innovation in electric vehicle technology through the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium. The market for both electric cars and new battery technologies is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and that means jobs for New Yorkers.”

Bannon Automotive CEO Paul Wimer said: “We are proud that we will produce these cars for the North American market in the United States. Syracuse’s proximity to half the population of the United States allows us to easily reach key markets for new electric vehicles that extend well beyond the northeast. Central New York’s position as a national leader in green technology and the support we received from elected officials and economic development agencies were major factors in our decision.”

Bannon will use technology based on that developed by REVA Electric Car Company Private, Ltd., (RECC) to build REVA’s NXR model, which was recently introduced to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. The NXR is a lithium-ion powered electric car, suitable for urban driving, with three doors and four seats. Depending on the model, the hatchback has a top speed of up to 100 mph and can travel up to 120 miles on a single charge. The car can be fully charged in eight hours from a standard outlet or in one-and-a-half hours from a quick-charge station.

ESD Chairman & CEO, designate, Dennis M. Mullen said: “Projects like the one announced today – those with an investment in knowledge-based industries, technology and innovation – will allow New York State to secure its economic stability and compete in the domestic and global markets for years to come. Governor Paterson has laid out a plan to make New York the global leader of the new clean energy economy. Bannon Automotive is the latest in a series of clean energy companies that have chosen to locate in New York.”

Robert M. Simpson, President & CEO of the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse & Central New York said: “Given the region’s history of automotive manufacturing and our unparalleled commitment to become a global leader in the clean technologies of the future, the expansion into the electric vehicle industry is a perfect fit for Central Upstate New York. Today’s announcement is evidence that our regional economic development strategy is working – we are successfully competing internationally in our green and high-tech business attraction efforts.”