Munro Vehicles has completed its first pre-production model, a white Series-M Utility. The hard top five-seater 4×4 leaves the factory in East Kilbride just ten months after Munro unveiled the Mk_1 prototype model.

The Mk_1 represents the return of light vehicle mass production to Scotland for the first time since the closure of the Linwood car plant in 1981. Munro is now scaling up its facilities, growing its workforce and bringing 300 new jobs to the region by 202 as it increases production from 50 vehicles a year to 2,500 vehicles per annum by 2027.

“Witnessing the first pre-production Munro Series-M Utility roll off the line is a momentous moment, both for Munro and Scotland, as the Series-M Utility is the first light vehicle to enter mass production since the Linwood car factory closed in 1981,” commented Marcus Mackle, Munro Head of Vehicle Sales. “While it represents an undeniably historic occasion, Munro’s focus is firmly on the future. With a healthy, two-year customer pipeline worth £68 million for the innovative and sustainability-focussed Munro Series-M Utility hard top and Series-M Truck open-bed, we can look forward with confidence.”

Development of the Series-M range took place on unforgiving Scottish terrain, with feedback from an extensive customer test drive programme directly contributing to the development of the vehicle.

“Our customers spoke, we listened, and we acted,” explained Munro CEO and co-founder Russell Peterson. “After listening to our customers, we introduced numerous improvements. These included an adjustable steering column with steering wheel controls, plus a raft of ergonomic enhancements. A full suite of safety equipment, including airbags, ABS brakes, stability, and traction control, is also now offered.”

First Munro Series-M prodcued

It also led to the firm using superior body panelling, ensuring components can be more easily replaced, helping customers to achieve the target lifespan of 50 years for the -electric 4×4. At the rear of the vehicle, a new ‘exoskeleton’ mounted on the hardtop of the Utility specification models enables easy mounting of equipment.

Power is now provided by a more durable, longer-lasting lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which gives a faster 30-minute, 130kW rapid charging time.

Munro has also improved the thermal efficiency of the vehicle, so waste heat scavenged from the drivetrain can now be used to heat the cabin. Combined with more effective sound-deadening measures, the Munro is now a more comfortable proposition, whether used on tarmac (where it has a range of up to 200 miles) or traversing challenging off-road terrain.

More than 250 pre-orders for both the Utility and Truck models have been received from customers in the mining, construction, utilities, agriculture, and defence sectors, where innovative solutions are required to enable operators to meet their decarbonisation targets.

Phil Huff
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