Aixam Mega takes over electric vehicle NICE Car company

(19/01/2009)

Aixam Mega has acquired the assets of NICE Car Company, the Ladbroke Grove-based electric vehicle dealer that went into administration in November.

Aixam Mega’s wholly-owned British distribution company, Aixam Mega Ltd, has taken over NICE Car’s operations, and will continue to operate the sales and service facilities in London, while administrative functions have transferred to Aixam Mega’s headquarters in Rugby, Warwickshire.

NICE has marketed Aixam Mega’s Mega City all-electric urban vehicle in the London area since 2006, as well as the company’s Mega Multitrucks range of ultra-light commercial vehicles.

Aixam Mega’s UK general manager Lawrence Holland said that the acquisition gives existing Mega customers in London continuity of after sales service, and will also ensure that the company can continue to move forward with its plans to develop the market for electric vehicles.

He said: “We are fully committed to developing the market for ultra-light electric private and commercial vehicles across the UK, and regard this dealership as an important part of our growing dealer network. We have retained the key sales and service facilities, as well as some personnel, to make the transfer of business as seamless as possible. Mega drivers should be reassured that, from their perspective, it is now ‘business as normal’ at NICE Car.

“Sales of electric vehicles have slowed during the recent economic downturn, and this has contributed to the problems experienced by the former NICE Car management team, but over the longer term sales have been growing steadily. We believe that this growth will continue and that electrics will buck the trends affecting the wider automotive sector.”

Aixam Mega is Europe’s largest supplier of ultra-light electric vehicles, having invested heavily in the development of electric vehicle technology over an extended period. The company designed the Mega City specifically for the UK market. The company has two large research and manufacturing facilities in France, 300 employees and produces 15,000 ultra-light vehicles per year. It has recently announced plans to increase production for the UK, European and North American markets.

Related categories:  Hybrid and electric car