Q1: Did the history of Duracar start in 2008 or only recently in 2021?
In 2008, Duracar was initiated by Paul Hamm, when he started buying the concept of the Innovan (from Lee Iacocca, president of Chrysler at that time).
Q2: What was developed and innovated in 2008?
The complete Innovan was changed and executed in composite material making the unit strong and light. The new car was called “Duracar” and the first series of five concept cars/prototypes was built in 2008, introduced at the Auto trade fair in Paris that year.
Q3: On the internet, there are conversations about bankruptcy, is this correct?
This is totally incorrect. At the end of 2008, Mr. Hamm, sold the shares of Duracar to Econcern N.V., a very fast-growing international company with a focus on sustainability. In the financial crisis of 2008/2009, Econcern had to file for bankruptcy. The caretaker did sell all the companies which were part of Econcern N.V., including Duracar.
Q4: On the internet, it is stated that the Duracar model Quicc was sold to China, is that correct?
That is indeed correct. The caretaker got a good price for this very innovative car and although Mr. Hamm tried to stop this sale with the support of the court, it was too late. The Chinese companies of BYD and Sino EV Tech produced thousands in China and the Quicc was indeed the base of several fully electric vehicles all developed and marketed in China.
Q5: What kind of car was the first Duracar?
The first Duracar was a fully electric vehicle meant for in-town deliveries. Having said that, the car could be provided already at that time with a long-range battery system and with the possibility to reach relatively high speeds.
Q6: The Duracar II presented at the IAA in Hannover in 2022, is a Last Mile Delivery unit.
What brought the Founding Fathers – Mr. Hamm, Ludwig Wijma and four other investors, to develop this model? Specific questions from a few big customers led to the realization of the last mile delivery vehicles where, of course, a lot of the knowledge and IP developed by Mr. Hamm in 2008/2009, could be used as a sound base for the execution.
Q7: What was and is the role of Johan Tomforde?
In 2008, Johan Tomforde, the father of the Smart Fortwo, helped in the design of the Duracar body. In recent years, Mr. Hamm, supported Mr. Tomforde in team mobility, in which a group of people worked together to design the next generations of electric cars (both cars and delivery vans). The Duracar II will be built in mini-factories based upon the layout of the Smart Fortwo factories.
Q8: What will be the price of a Duracar II?
The price will depend on execution and integrated options and on the number of cars ordered by a fleet owner. As an indication, the Duracar will be sold for about €32.000.
Q9: Where was the Duracar developed?
The Duracar was not developed in the factory where later the units will be manufactured, but in the development location, selected by the Founding Fathers. About 200 units are being built.
Q10: Where will the Duracar be manufactured in larger quantities?
Whereas Duracar Holding is responsible for the development of different executions now and in the future, the production will be totally separated by licensed so- called mini-factories, where about 5.000 units per year are “assembled”. In Europe, there is room for several mini-factories, and the Founding Fathers are negotiating with interested parties about licenses.
Q11: Europe is mentioned, are there also plans to expand abroad?
This certainly depends on the enthusiasm and possibilities of possible licenses who can base factories upon the first mini plants which will soon be built in the Netherlands.
Q12: What about services and maintenance of the Duracar?
Essential for the success of Duracar is the support that will be given by the mini- factories to the customers and distributors. Since the number of parts is limited, in most cases, a complete part will be replaced to reduce waiting times at the garages. In certain areas, the Duracar will work with a few selected dealers. There will always be strong cooperation with the nearest mini factory where there will be a substantial amount of spear/ replacement parts.
Q13: How will the Duracar be sold?
Duracar factories in each area will sell either to fleet owners or in case a lower quantity is needed, sales are always done through one of the selected leasing companies. The reason for this is that the price of a car increases the moment limited Duracars are manufactured.
Q14: What about future models?
Although today, there are already several executions, based upon a standard cabin and frame, containing a transport box (for two Euro pallets), namely, a transport box with divisions for specific products, a cooling/ and or freezing box, an open loading box, a lengthened box. Depending on the rules related to urban traffic, the Founding Fathers are thinking about 3.5-ton vehicle execution, possibly in cooperation with one of the OEMs.
Q15: What about cooperation with others?
In an every day more complex world, cooperation or even alliances with others are beneficial.
Q16: What about answers to other questions?
Duracar underpins not only sustainability in which for example the materials can be recycled, but also full transparency. Not only are we happy to answer any question, but we are also sure we will learn from questions to reinvent our strategies and products. Please contact us on below email-address.