Michigan Economic Development Corporation
and Ann Arbor SPARK Collaborate with NAVYA on Site Selection and
Talent Recruitment
In a joint announcement, NAVYA with project collaborators
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Ann Arbor
SPARK announce that its Michigan plant will be located in the city
of Saline, Michigan with a 20,000+ sq. ft. facility. NAVYA plans to
build approximately 25 of its ARMA fully autonomous shuttle
vehicles at the plant before the close of 2017. NAVYA’s
breakthrough ARMA shuttle has become a global leader in first and
last mile transportation solutions with a fleet of 45 vehicles
deployed worldwide and more than 170,000 passengers transported to
date. With the addition of its new plant in Saline the company will
be able to boost production significantly to serve the growing
North American market.
“We at NAVYA could not be more pleased to call Saline, Michigan
home to our first assembly plant in North America. As the greater
Ann Arbor area continues to establish itself as a hub for
autonomous vehicle development, we feel it’s the perfect location
for us. Strong government and community support for mobility
initiatives combined with an excellent talent pool provide the
ideal environment for our expansion in North America,” said NAVYA
CEO Christophe Sapet.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment
of more than $1 million and create 50 jobs, resulting in a $435,000
Michigan Business Development performance-based grant. The funds
are approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund and administered by the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
“Michigan is at the forefront of mobility and autonomous vehicle
development, and NAVYA’s decision to establish its first U.S.
facility in Saline further solidifies our leadership position in
that space,” said Trevor Pawl, MEDC group vice president over
Planet M, the state’s new economic development initiative set up to
help mobility companies enter Michigan. “We applaud NAVYA’s
commitment to Michigan and look forward to working with the company
as it continues to develop advanced mobility vehicles and
technologies.”
“NAVYA’s growth in the Ann Arbor region is fueled by our
region's commitment to innovation in mobility technology, and the
talented people who think and work on these issues every day
throughout our region,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann
Arbor SPARK. “We’re excited to add depth to our technical prowess
in this region, and to be part of NAVYA tapping in to the
manufacturing and engineering capabilities here as it moves forward
in making some of the world’s first autonomous mass transit
vehicles. NAVYA is a terrific contribution to our prominence in the
connected and autonomous vehicle industry.”
Ann Arbor SPARK hosted NAVYA during its first visit to the
region as part of a French Mobility delegation in 2015. Going
forward, Ann Arbor SPARK will help NAVYA locate the employees it
needs to continue its growth at its new manufacturing facility in
Saline.
"The City of Saline is ecstatic to welcome NAVYA Inc. to our
community, and I have no doubt that they will become an important
and valued member of our already stellar business community,” said
Brian Marl, Mayor, City of Saline. "NAVYA is an innovative company,
working on the latest autonomous vehicle technology; I believe that
their future is bright, and the City of Saline looks forward to
assisting and supporting them in every reasonable way."
ABOUT THE NAVYA ARMA
NAVYA ARMA is a safe, reliable and comfortable 100% autonomous,
driverless and electric public transport vehicle that can carry up
to 15 people. It has been designed to ensure the specific functions
of an autonomous vehicle while optimizing navigation and safety.
The shuttle is equipped with a multitude of sensor technology to
provide 3D vision which enables it to map out the environment,
detect obstacles in its path and identify traffic and road signs.
The NAVYA ARMA shuttle can reach speeds of 28miles/hr. However,
taking into account the nature of the sites it often serves, this
is often limited to 15 miles/hr. The vehicle aims to provide a
complement to current public transport systems over distances that
are too short to go by car or are too long on foot.
ABOUT NAVYA
NAVYA, created in 2014, is a French company specializing in
developing innovative, smart and sustainable mobility solutions.
NAVYA develops driverless, automated electric vehicles that are
independent of all infrastructure. These vehicles are designed for
the intelligent transport of people and goods.
In October 2015, NAVYA launched the NAVYA ARMA, a 100%
autonomous, driverless and electric shuttle which can transport up
to 15 people and which is now operating on different sites: private
sites and public roads.
The vehicle is equipped with numerous sensors and an on-board
computing system that enables it to interact with its surroundings.
It is also intended to provide efficient mobility solutions in
terms of space and energy. NAVYA benefits from major advances in
technology in the autonomous, electric vehicle sector thanks to its
experience in the field and a highly-qualified R&D team.
Christophe Sapet, its CEO, is supported by a team of 130 people
divided up between Lyon and Paris.
October 2016 saw NAVYA’s shareholders unanimously approve a
raise in capital of 30 million euros. French groups VALEO and
KEOLIS and the Qatari GROUP8 acquired a stake in the company
alongside GRAVITATION and CAPDECISIF MANAGEMENT, who joined in 2015
and ROBOLUTION CAPITAL, the original investor. www.navya.tech
ABOUT MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s
marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job
awareness and community and talent development with the focus on
growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and
our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan®
tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Visit
Pure Michigan Talent Connect at www.mitalent.org for more
information on Michigan’s online marketplace for connecting job
seekers and employers. Join the conversation on: Facebook,
Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
ABOUT SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the
region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration,
attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the
needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large
organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business,
academic, government, and community investor partners including the
University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw
Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, the Ann
Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone (LDFA), Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan
Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call
(734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS – To
schedule interviews, request additional images or more information,
please contact:
- U.S. NAVYA Contact: Martin Higgins,
Escal Consulting, martin@escalconsulting.com /917-715-2277
- MEDC – Kathleen Achtenberg,
achtenbergk@michigan.org
- Ann Arbor Spark - Jenn Cornell,
jenn@annarborusa.org /734-765-0174
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170717006046/en/
U.S. NAVYA Contact:Escal ConsultingMartin Higgins,
917-715-2277martin@escalconsulting.comorMEDCKathleen
Achtenbergachtenbergk@michigan.orgorAnn Arbor SparkJenn Cornell,
734-765-0174jenn@annarborusa.org