Low volume British sports car makers Morgan, Noble and Marcos Engineering all claim to be doing well in export markets as well as at home.
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Morgan, in particular, is finding strong demand for its new Aero 8, which has already pulled in orders from the US following shows in Los Angeles and New York. Actor Nicholas Cage liked the car so much he bought one on the stand at the LA show.
Noble too is enjoying a US-led boom, supplying bodies and chassis via partners.
However, it’s at home in the UK where the majority of sales are still made, and all three marques acknowledge that their ability to take a vehicle from the drawing board to the road in record time gives them a real edge over some of their global competitors.
Noble’s Simon Hucknall said: “Flexibility is crucial in this part of the market. We’re very hands-on in our development and testing, and can move quickly. British invention and creativity is also highly regarded throughout the globe.” Noble’s new M14 sports car, unveiled at the show, is evidence of this approach.
Morgan is aiming to make around 750 cars per year according to spokesman David Dowse: “The introduction of new models and a burgeoning US market is very positive for us’ he said. “It helps considerably that advance order books enable companies of our scale to plan production a good 18 months or so ahead.”
As well as revealing their new TSO Roadster, Marcos announced that it is expanding its operation with new facilities in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, following a strategic alliance with vehicle engineering specialist Prodrive. The move provides Marcos with a 1.5 mile high performance circuit for testing.
