Ann Arbor area startup signs deal to manufacture electric motorcycles in Michigan
Scio Township-based Current Motor Co. announced Wednesday that it is contracting with Holt-based Dakkota Integrated Systems to manufacture and ship the company's electric motorcycles.
The deal reflects a major milestone for Current Motor, which secured investments from BELLE Capital LP, auto industry veteran Bob Lutz and others to commercialize its proprietary alternative propulsion technology.
The company, founded by Erik Kauppi and John Harding, will continue to conduct research, development, sales and marketing out of its office on Jackson Road, executive chairwoman Lauren Flanagan said in a statement.
Dakkota, whose Michigan presence is concentrated in the Lansing area, was formed as a joint venture of Rush Group LLC and Magna International Inc.
"Dakkota brings to Current Motor traditional Tier 1 management and technical skills, a history of flawless launches and a positive, competitive, 'love to be a part of the solution' attitude," Dakkota President Andra Rush said in a statement.
Current Motor says that its electric motorcycles can travel up to 70 miles on a single charge of electricity. A full charge takes about five hours with a normal 110-volt household outlet.
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Comments
shepard145
Sat, Oct 22, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Why? If we're talking about Michigan customers, they have 5 months of good weather to risk their lives in Ann Arbor traffic, narrow roads, crumbling pavement and a nonsensical cross walk ordinance (which will kill someone soon). Motor cycles already get excellent gas mileage so why does an electric cycle make any sense in a market that does not need it? If the relative cost is anything like the Volt, there is no economic value and you will have to rely on the famous irrational but employed eco nut market to sell these ....which is shrinking every month.
omniskeptic
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
Electric motorcycles? Saddle up, Marge, we're a headin' to Sturgis! 'Lessen, of course, DTE goes down again and we cain't charge the thang. Hey, I've got a great idea for a local business: all-electric double strollers! Just the thing for the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. Or wasn't somebody trying to promote rickshaws a while back? Yeah, electric rickshaws! That'll work. The wonder of it all.
Dr. I. Emsayin
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
Current Motor has top notch vehicles and Mr. Harding and Mr. Kauppi have the highest integrity. Best wishes as the venture moves forward!
clownfish
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1 p.m.
I was hoping Current was going to manufacture their product in Washtenaw County. Kudos to the owners for keeping it in MI though!
David Paris
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:30 a.m.
I'm not exactly sure what this means. Does it mean that Current Motors is moving production of their electric scooters from Ann Arbor to Holt, or that Dakkota Systems is taking over management of the Ann Arbor assembly facility, or what?