07/18/2008, 1:55 PM
Industry/General
Gibbs to bring amphibious car production to Auburn Hills, create 250 jobs
While the traditional Big Three car companies are tightening their belts by cutting production and laying off workers, British company Gibbs Technologies is planning on opening a North American headquarters in Michigan. The facility would eventually bring with it 250 jobs. Gibbs makes vehicles that double as boats, including the Aquada roadster, Humdinger SUV and Quadski ATV.
The move means the company will bring the models to the U.S. market, according to The Detroit News. According to CEO Neil Jenkins, Gibbs is currently recruiting workers and is aiming to fill 70 in-house positions ranging from techs to execs before 2008 is out. The company would also require 270 workers at local suppliers and businesses for its operations. Thus far, Gibbs invested over $13 million on upgrading its 37,500-square-foot facility set on two acres in Auburn Hills.
The company got a 10-year, $5.9 million tax credit from Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation along with an eight-year, $15,150 tax allowance.
The first product from Gibbs to be sold in the U.S. would be the Aquada, launching sometime next year. While prices were not announced, the amphibious three-seater is capable of 110mph speeds on land and 40mph in the water and could cost as much as $85,000.
As for a manufacturing base, the search is on. Jenkins says the company will narrow down the search to three or four states, but Michigan is already under review.
07/18, 2:03 PM
posted by:
livelyjay
Ummm, who in their right mind would buy this POS?
07/18, 2:08 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Saves gas…why drive around the Bay circuitously to get from point A to B when you can just go across the water in a straight line?
07/18, 2:10 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
I predict a big Camaro story Monday.
07/18, 2:25 PM
posted by:
xyunya
OK, what kind of insurance you need for this? Or how you explain to insurance company that your favorite mother-in-law have drowned jumping outside of your car?
On a second though, you can get a Civic/Fit/Corolla/Cobalt/Focus for about 20K, Zodiac or alike hard V-hull inflatable for 5-10K, motor for Zodiak for 5-7K and light trailer for 2K. Altogether, you shell out 40K and have to apply some manual labor in front of the lake (unloading inflatable, inflating, and even can drive you like vehicle atop of inflatable). It may cost 45K or will cure you from amphibious ambitions.
07/18, 2:28 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
Humdinger…
07/18, 3:05 PM
posted by:
ihustle
I think the idea is awesome. I’d like to see the cops try to get you when you make a fast maneuver from ground to water. Little pricey but what the hell do you expect? It’s a car/boat. Just like when HDTV’s came out they were close to $2,000. Now you can get a decent one for under $1,000. Price on this will eventually go down as the technology becomes aged. They should pair up with one of the Big 3 and it would help cut production costs.
07/18, 3:21 PM
posted by:
murderedout
Makes sense, cause Michigan is the boat capital of America, with the most registered boats every year.
07/18, 3:24 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
First guy that buys this here in Vegas should be punched.
07/18, 3:29 PM
posted by:
LeftLaneVy
xyunya,
why buy a rolls royce when you can have a civic?
i personally don’t think they market consists of too much of the lower to middle-class members
07/18, 3:33 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Haha I think this is awesome, certainly not going to be a volume seller with a 85k price tag, but has any of you seen this in action? Rememebr the old Amphicars? I saw two men in Northern Michigan around Manistee, Mi drive their car right down a boat launch and go into the water, drive right down the channel, and drove right up a boat launch next to some charter fisherman pulling their boats out… You should have seen their faces!
Hey, right now Michigan needs all the help it can get economically…
07/18, 4:33 PM
posted by:
shaver
They need to start a racing league to promote these.
07/18, 4:54 PM
posted by:
xyunya
LeftLaneVy, the zillioner who is driven in RR, probably will not be comfortable in something of that nature. Actually, the few guys that I saw being driven in RR, are driving Ferrari when they do it themselves. This thing does not fit the mold. Of course, I can be wrong, what do I know about marketing?
07/18, 7:01 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Good idea, Shaver. It would be like those hovercraft races, only they would have grip on the road.
07/19, 12:10 AM
posted by:
maxcar
why build this, and why base the design on a friggin’ miata.
07/19, 12:25 AM
posted by:
S1L1SC
The question should be “why not build this?” It is a fun little car/boat and will find people that can use it. Plus the next time New Orleans flood you could simply boat out…
07/19, 12:20 PM
posted by:
ktulu
Interestiung!
07/19, 7:54 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Very cool. This would be really handy in Greece, where it would be faster to boat your ass around the island coastline than drive through the one-lane twisties where death lies in wait every few hundred feet.
07/21, 12:25 PM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Those brits are mad!
Yes, yes we are.
07/22, 7:32 PM
posted by:
nowei
It’s a car that turns into a boat! 85k seems downright reasonable.
Did I mention it’s a car that turns into a boat? Oh, also, it’s a boat that turns into a car.
This thing is way more James Bond than any Aston Martin on the market today. Plus, it’s half the price of one.
Oh, in case I forget to tell you, it turns into freaking boat!