VIA Motors’ electric cargo van has successfully passed all crash testing required for mass production.

“The engineering work done to integrate the VIA’s electric technology has been exceptional and the vehicles have exceeded our expectations in all tests that were performed,” said VIA President Alan Perriton. “We are now moving on to complete certification and begin mass production.”

VIA installs its electric powertrain components in full-size pickup trucks, cargo vans and SUVs, then re-certifies and crash tests each vehicle with the new components and sells the electrified models under the VIA brand name.

Also this week, VIA inaugurated its first high-volume assembly line at its new facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The new facility is strategically located in a free trade zone near several major automakers and suppliers, and adjacent to the NAFTA highway and Kansas City Southern rail line.

“VIA is here because of our alliance with Grupo Geurra and because this region of Mexico is well known for high quality automobile production and a robust supply network,” said Alan Perriton.

New vehicles are transported from the nearby GM production facility in Silao to be transformed into PHEVs by integrating VIA’s proprietary extended-range electric powertrain. VIA’s facility uses a unique conveyor-scissor lift system that moves conventional vehicles through eight assembly stations where technicians raise or lower the vehicle to install electric components.

“VIA’s unique assembly system will be able to output two electric vehicles per hour and 10,000 vehicles per year,” said Pablo Acedo, President of VIA Motors Latin America. “San Luis Potosi will soon become synonymous with electric vehicles.”

After test driving a VIA electric pickup truck, state Governor Dr. Fernando Toranzo said, “I was impressed with how smooth, quiet, and powerful the truck is, and what a pleasure it is to drive.”

Source: VIA Motors