British electric vehicle maker to open HQ in Charlotte, bringing 150 jobs

Dec. 9--A British electric vehicle manufacturer is opening a North American headquarters in Charlotte, city officials said Wednesday, which will bring 150 jobs to the growing South End area.

London-based Arrival plans to lease space in an office building developed by Ram Realty Advisors near the intersection of South Tryon Street and West Tremont Avenue. Arrival, which makes electric buses and vans, has been backed by BlackRock, Hyundai and Kia.

Arrival is making a $3 million investment in the project, according to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. City officials said there were no state or local incentives involved in the deal.

The move adds to an expansion Arrival is making in Rock Hill, where it will build its first U.S. microfactory, bringing 240 jobs.

"(Arrival's expansion) really is going to increase our global visibility in a high-growth industry that could open up even more opportunities for us to see future investment," said Janet LaBar, president and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

Mike Ableson, CEO of Arrival Automotive North America, said the jobs will be office roles in areas such as engineering, HR, finance and procurement. He said the company has yet to determine an average salary for the positions.

Collaboration plans

Ableson said the firm chose South End because of its vibrancy and proximity to the light rail. A number of large corporations are opening offices in the neighborhood, including LendingTree and Lowe's.

Charlotte also signed an agreement with Arrival to collaborate on achieving goals in the city's Strategic Energy Action Plan, said Lyles. The plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including through using 100% "zero-carbon" sources to fuel city fleet and facilities.

According to a copy of the agreement, Arrival will assist Charlotte in developing a plan to transition to a 100% zero carbon city fleet by 2030.

Arrival's move is the latest in a spate of corporate expansions in Charlotte, though the pace of the announcements has slowed amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In July, health insurance giant Centene Corporation announced it would move its headquarters to Charlotte and build a campus in University City. And Atlanta-based Chime Solutions said in June it would add 250 jobs in Charlotte, in addition to plans for 1,000 positions in the city that the firm announced last year.

___

(c)2020 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

Visit The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) at www.charlotteobserver.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.