Valmet Automotive has now at the Uusikaupunki car plant completed the first Lightyear 0 pre-production vehicle for Lightyear, the Dutch high-tech company developing the world’s first solar electric vehicle. The pre-production series is a major step toward the start of production of the customer series of the Lightyear 0 model scheduled for late 2022.

Lightyear unveiled the final design for the Lightyear 0 model in June 2022. A dedicated team of Valmet Automotive employees trained and instructed at Lightyear’s facilities in Helmond, the Netherlands have now completed the very first vehicle to this specification at the Uusikaupunki, Finland car plant.

All the pre-production vehicles will be built in facilities dedicated for prototype and pre-series manufacturing. The construction work of the assembly line for the Lightyear 0 customer production series is proceeding on schedule with active support from Lightyear experts. The assembly line will be located in the newest section of the Uusikaupunki plant.

The new Lightyear 0 assembly line will feature state-of-the-art technological solutions, including a co-operative robot for gluing and has a focus on work safety and ergonomics. The selection and training of additional car builders for the Lightyear 0 assembly has already started at the Uusikaupunki car plant.

– We are immensely proud at Valmet Automotive to have completed the first pre-production Lightyear 0 solar electric vehicle. This is an important step toward the start of customer car production and making an automotive dream come true, says Pasi Rannus, SVP Manufacturing, Valmet Automotive.

Valmet Automotive announced its manufacturing contract with Lightyear in July 2021. Co-operation with Lightyear is a perfect fit with Valmet Automotive’s ambitions in vehicle manufacturing, with focus on e-mobility and sustainability. The Lightyear co-operation will also lead the company to the cutting-edge of EV manufacturing technology and knowhow.

Additional information:

Mikael Mäki, Manager, Corporate Communications, Valmet Automotive
+358 50 317 4308
mikael.maki@valmet-automotive.com

Image bank available at https://www.valmet-automotive.com/media/

www.valmet-automotive.com
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The Valmet Automotive Group is a leading European manufacturer of electric vehicle battery systems and automotive kinematic systems (including electric vehicle charging flaps and active spoilers) for OEMs, as well as being one of the largest vehicle contract manufacturers in the world. In its strategic development, Valmet Automotive Group focuses on electromobility through the development and manufacturing of battery modules as well as packs for electrified vehicles. The activities in the group are organized in three business lines: Manufacturing, EV Systems and Roof & Kinematic Systems. Since its founding in 1968, Valmet Automotive has produced more than 1.8 million vehicles at its plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Valmet Automotive also operates two battery systems plants in Salo, Finland and Uusikaupunki, Finland and a third battery plant in Kirchardt, Germany started production in September 2022. The company has locations in Finland, Germany, and Poland. Valmet Automotive’s largest shareholders are state-owned Finnish investment company Tesi and the Pontos Group, each with a stake of 38.46 %. 23.08 % is held by the Chinese Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the world leading manufacturer of battery cells for electric vehicles.