West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has praised the work of a company which plans to transform the light commercial vehicle delivery market with a re-invented iconic van.
Harriett visited the design HQ of Morris Commercial to see the latest model – a fully electric van which will be constructed in a carbon neutral production facility.
The original Morris J-Type van was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but the original owners stopped production of the commercial van in 1971.
The brand has been bought by an entrepreneur Dr Qu Li who has assembled a team of engineering talents to develop an electric powered prototype van with plans to go into production at the end of next year.
The new Morris JE prototype van has already been featured in TV programmes and advertisements, and the team is keen for it to be built at a new Worcestershire production facility.
Harriett said:
“The Morris Commercial van is iconic and it’s vehicles were omnipresent on UK high streets after the Second World War.
“I got a sneak preview of the van which is being developed in rural Worcestershire in the shadow of the Cotswolds, and I was briefed on the company’s ambitious plans to go into production next year.
“I’ve met with a number of local entrepreneurs who are looking to exploit opportunities arising from green transport and I recently chatted to the Morgan Motors team, who is developing its own iconic electric vehicle.
“There is clearly a hub of expertise in this space, living and working in West Worcestershire and I have agreed to help the Morris team as they work towards setting up a manufacturing facility next year.”
Morris Commercial CEO Dr Qu LI added:
“We really appreciated Harriett calling in to see us and her offer to support our engineering and manufacturing activities.
“It would be very beneficial to the local economy to retain the skills that we have developed, and we look forward to working with her as the project moves forward into production.”
Photo: Harriett Baldwin MP with the prototype Morris Commercial electric van. Pictured (l-r) John Killick, Harriett Baldwin MP, Dr Qu Li.
