by Otilia Drăgan from https://www.autoevolution.com
World’s Smartest Electric Motorcycle to Be Produced at Brand-New Plant in Vancouver
Whether two-wheeled or four-wheeled, electric vehicles are taking over the roads by storm, offering not just a clean energy alternative, but also advanced connectivity and the latest tech. One of them is Hypersport, Damon Motorcycles’ flagship model, set to enter production at the company’s new plant.
The concern for a green, sustainable future extended beyond the vehicles themselves, to the manufacturing process. Several carmakers have already opened or planning to open sustainable production plants, and Damon is doing the same in the motorcycle sector. The Canadian company recently unveiled its latest facility, located in Surrey, British Columbia.
Developed together with Bosa Properties, the new production plant is a state-of-the-art, 110,000 square foot (10,219 square meters) facility that will not only become “ground zero” for the Damon electric motorcycles, but will also premiere a cleaner, advanced manufacturing process.
This new milestone adds to the brand’s success, after recently having surpassed $40 million in orders for the award-winning Hypersport, presented as “the world’s smartest, safest, fully electric motorcycle”. This innovative motorcycle is based on the brand’s proprietary electric powertrain, Hyperdrive, which is the first monocoque-constructed, fully electric, multi-variant powertrain on the market.
With an aerodynamic design and having passed through extensive wind tunnel testing, Hyperdrive claims to deliver better speed, range, and acceleration than any previous powertrain. The battery was designed for top performance, but also to be as light as possible. Hyperdrive is integrated as a structural component of the motorcycle itself, and the battery enclosure acts as the bike’s load-bearing frame.
The high-tech motorcycle also boasts an award-winning 360-degree Advanced Warning System that uses integrated windscreen LEDs, a long-range radar, plus front and rear cameras, to warn the rider of potential danger. Shift is another innovative feature that allows the rider to switch between commuter and sport positions while in motion, with the simple touch of a button.
The Hypersport line includes four models, with pricing ranging from $16,995 to $39,995.
PRESS RELEASE:
Damon Motors today announced it will build a cleantech manufacturing and R&D plant in Surrey B.C. The state-of-the-art, 110,000 square foot facility, being developed in partnership with Bosa Properties, will serve as ground zero for production of Damon’s flagship HyperSport, the world’s smartest, safest, fully electric motorcycle. Details will be revealed at a special kickoff ceremony on October 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Surrey City Hall Atrium. Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum and Bruce Ralston, British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, will be among the dignitaries in attendance.
“As Damon accelerates a clean energy future with our electric vehicles, we’re also introducing a cleaner, industry-leading manufacturing process,” said Jay Giraud, co-founder and CEO, Damon Motors. “We’re excited to produce our highly anticipated HyperSport motorcycles here in Surrey, British Columbia and look forward to this world-class facility delivering the safest and cleanest premium, high-technology motorcycles on the market.”
“We, at Bosa Family Companies, are proud to partner with such an exciting, new company to bring this site to life and drive new green jobs in our region,” added John Martin, Vice President at Bosa Commercial. “This local start-up success story is a source of great pride for British Columbians, and we’re pleased to be part of the strategy to keep Damon Motors thriving here at home.”
The new Damon manufacturing plant is expected to stimulate Surrey’s local economy with several hundred jobs. Projections suggest that by 2025, the plant will create more than 300 high-tech manufacturing jobs and more than 500 high-tech office jobs.
“British Columbia is quickly becoming an EV hotspot and the arrival of the Damon Motors manufacturing facility puts Surrey right in the middle of it,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. We’re honored Damon has selected Surrey for its production headquarters and are proud to welcome this dynamic and innovative young company to our city.”
“B.C. is home to many innovative clean-tech companies that are helping us grow as a leader in the electric vehicle sector,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “We’re proud to support Damon Motors who will help us meet our Clean BC goals and create new good-paying jobs in the province. The strength of the innovative approach Damon Motors exhibits will propel the company toward being a global leader.”
Damon’s manufacturing plant announcement comes as the company has surpassed $40M in orders for the award-winning HyperSport. The electric superbike offers unparalleled safety, comfort, and performance with groundbreaking technology and zero tailpipe emissions. It features the CoPilot™ advanced warning system, Shift™, which transforms the riding position between sport and commuter modes while in motion, and HyperDrive™, the world’s first monocoque constructed, 100 percent electric, multi-variant powertrain platform.
Vancouver startup Damon Motors to build electric motorcycles in Surrey
Vancouver EV maker Damon Motors will occupy a 110,000 square foot facility being built by Bosa Properties
by David Carrigg from https://vancouversun.com
Vancouver electric safety system and motorcycle maker Damon Motors will move in to a new manufacturing facility in Surrey in 2022.
The company, founded in 2017 by Jay Giraud and Dom Kwong, started by developing safety systems for motorcycles that use sensors and cameras to identify risk in blind spots and for frontal collision.
Over the next two years an electric motorcycle was developed with a powertrain comprising frame, battery pack and electric motor (incorporating the safety technology). This was called the HyperSport.
The company announced in March this year it had received $30 million in startup funding and had orders for $20 million worth of motorcycles, which sell for between $20,000 and $45,000. Recently, the company announced it had $40 million worth of orders and that it was sold out for 2022.
HyperSport motorcycles are currently being built in a Vancouver facility on Powell Street, but as of October 2022 will be made in a 110,000 square-foot facility near the Pattullo Bridge and Scott Road SkyTrain station being developed by Bosa Properties. Bosa will lease the space to Damon Motors.
In a prepared statement, Giraud said the City of Surrey had helped expedite the process.
“Surrey has welcomed us with open arms and we look forward to continue to innovate and further solidify both Damon and Surrey as clean-tech leaders in the electric vehicle industry and beyond,” he said.
“As Damon accelerates a clean energy future with our electric vehicles, we’re also introducing a cleaner, industry-leading manufacturing process. We’re excited to produce our highly anticipated HyperSport motorcycles here in Surrey, British Columbia and look forward to this world-class facility delivering the safest and cleanest premium, high-technology motorcycles on the market.”
By 2025, the facility is expected to employ 800 people.
On Tuesday, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Bruce Ralston said the government had given $400,000 in innovation funding to the company to use developing the powertrain system — and this would create 11 jobs.
