Morris Commercial, the UK-based automotive engineering and manufacturing start-up, has completed a funding round, securing new investment for producing the Morris J-Type, a small van initially produced in the 1950s. The tiny ID. Buzz’s rival was to hit the road in 2021 but has yet to make it to production. The new launch date is set for early 2024.

The financing round was led by Capital for Colleagues (C4C). Further investments came from C4C co-investor Bill Ainscough and TJ Morris Limited, as well as Morris Commercial’s current shareholders, who “also made sizable further investments”. However, the company did not make public how much cash it collected.

“We are truly grateful that new investors share our vision and beliefs, and their confidence in Morris Commercial confirms the strength of our business model and our sustainability goals,” says CEO Qu Li. “I am very excited about the future of Morris Commercial and look forward to delivering our iconic van to our many thousands of pre-registered customers around the globe with the support of our new investment partners.”

According to a company statement, the money will be used for further research and development, engineering validation, certification, and, finally, production. Deliveries are to begin in early 2024.

Retro-looking

Based in the UK Midlands, not far from the original Oxford heartland of its spiritual predecessor, Morris Commercial set its mission to revive the historic and iconic Morris Commercial marque, but fully engineered for the 21^st century.

The JE van, which takes its fundamental design cues from one of the most loved commercial vehicles ever produced in Britain, incorporates innovative state-of-the-art technologies with a zero-emission, pure electric drivetrain, combining to make the vehicle carbon-neutral over its entire life cycle.

Lightweight and electrically driven

In 2019, Morris Commercial first announced its plans to electrify a delivery van from the 1950s. The newly-named Morris JE was to offer a range of around 400 km and was said to cost around £60 000. The BEV features an electric powertrain with a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, can fast charge to 80% in 30 minutes, and has a 1 000 kg payload for a 2,5-ton gross weight. The top speed is set at 145 kph.

The van still sports the design from the 1950s and was initially planned to launch in 2021. However, that did not happen. But the company says that “the vehicle is now close to production readiness, with the completion of various prototype and development vehicles featuring the ultralight recycled carbon fiber monocoque body and lightweight aluminum chassis.”

The production prototype made its debut at an industry-leading LCV show in Britain in September 2022. The vehicle is also featuring safety, technology, and comfort features such as side and rear vision cameras, an infotainment system, and a finely crafted interior.