With $6.6-million site preparation complete, construction begins on GTA’s primary manufacturing facility, which will provide annual production capacity of 30,000 cars
GreenTech Automotive (GTA), a U.S. automotive manufacturer dedicated to developing and producing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient vehicles, announced today that construction of the company’s new Mississippi production facility is entering Phase 2, the main building phase.
“After more than a year of planning, testing and site preparation, we are excited for GreenTech’s permanent home to start taking shape in Phase 2,” said Charles Wang, chairman and CEO of GTA. “The new facility is being designed for a production capacity of 30,000 vehicles per year. We are looking forward to completing the new facility early next year and continuing to create new jobs in northern Mississippi.”
Phase 2 will include the construction of GTA’s manufacturing facility, offices and meeting space in Tunica, Mississippi. Construction is expected to continue through December 2013. Vehicle production is expected to begin at the new facility by April 2014. GTA currently operates a pilot manufacturing facility in Horn Lake, Mississippi, where it builds MyCar, a two-seat Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV), and GTA’s new five-seat, All-Electric Sedan. Both vehicles produce zero emissions, provide a range of more than 100 miles per charge and can be recharged via a common 110V wall outlet, a 220V wall outlet or a fast-charging system.
“Building a vehicle manufacturing facility in the Mississippi River Valley presents some unique geotechnical challenges due to the weak underlying soils in the Mississippi Delta, but Forcum Lannom’s experience and GTA’s commitment to doing things right have kept us right on schedule,” said J.B. Glass, president and CEO of Forcum Lannom Contractors LLC, the 100-year-old firm serving as site contractor. “Forcum Lannom is proud to be the general contractor for GTA’s new manufacturing facility, and we’re excited to be starting Phase 2.”
During Phase 1, Forcum Lannom Contractors LLC oversaw site design, geotechnical investigative engineering, on-site geotechnical testing, earth work and storm water pollution prevention and erosion control. All permitting and on-site compliance were conducted in accordance with federal, state and local codes. In total, GTA invested more than $6.6 million during Phase 1.
Preparations included a subsurface geotechnical investigation by the engineering firm of Burns Cooley Dennis Inc., which analyzed soil samples using the industry standard known as the Unified Soil Classification System. Typical Mississippi River Valley soils require significant reinforcement, so a Geopier® Foundations Rammed Aggregate Pier System including more than 2,400 units was installed to support the Phase 2 structure.
After defining exterior pavement areas, the final civil design was performed to achieve proper building and site drainage, including Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), in accordance with the General Permits Branch and Office of Pollution Control of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. A granular sub-base was also installed on the building pad and the parking areas by the site contractor, and the installation and compaction requirements were monitored and tested by an independent testing laboratory.
About GreenTech Automotive:
GreenTech Automotive (GTA) is a U.S.-based automotive manufacturer dedicated to developing and producing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient vehicles. GTA’s core values encompass green technology, affordability and U.S. job creation. GTA’s first vehicle is MyCar, a two-seat electric vehicle with a range of up to 115 miles. GTA operates a pilot manufacturing facility in Horn Lake, Mississippi, and is developing a manufacturing facility being designed to have an annual production capacity of 30,000 vehicles in Tunica, Mississippi. For more information, visit www.greentechforamerica.com.
