| The two directors of Avions Voisin are Matthijs Meulenbelt and Frans Lievaart (industrial design graduates from Delft University), who will teach a master's course in automotive design at the faculty of Engineering Technology, and in return UT students can complete their bachelor's or master's assignments at the car factory. |
The core of the cooperation agreement was signed by CTW dean Rikus Eising, ID professor Arthur Eger and AV director Meulenbelt. The car factory will be built near the UT, most likely on the grounds of the former Twente airbase.
Meulenbelt and Lievaart are focusing their business on the so-called E-class consumers in the executive car segment, comparable to the Audi A6 and the BMW 5-series. Avions Voisin is the first car in this segment to be produced in the Netherlands. The company intends to build fifty to two hundred cars on a yearly basis. Meulenbelt: `When you make such low quantities, you can customize the car to the meet the needs of each individual. The inside of the car is practically empty, and people can design the interior themselves. In a manner of speaking, you can select your own carpet and even the bodywork can be adapted, whether you want it a bit rounder at the front or more sloping at the back.' The retail cost of the car should be around 75,000 euros.'
The company wants to make the bodywork from simple bent plates or so-called ruled surfaces in order to make small scale production possible. Avions Voisin strives to provide an innovation platform. According to Meulenbelt, the company already owns a couple of patents that might be of interest for other car manufacturers. `We designed a cooling system for the cabin that has a much higher yield than traditional ACs. We think it's possible to keep the car cool when it's parked in a warm spot because we don't have the means for big investments. We must invert something clever and that's possible because we're not bound to big-scale production lines to keep expensive machines cost effective,' says Meulenbelt.
Although both directors came from Delft, Meulenbelt said the cooperation with the UT is logical. `Twente offers the best possibilities: space, hard workers and the basis of the car manufacturing industry in the Netherlands. On top of these factors, the UT profiles itself as an entrepreneurial university It seemed an ideal opportunity to work together. I was born in this region, and I'm no stranger to a little chauvinism.' Professor Arthur Eger was immediately enthusiastic when Avions Voisin approached him about the project. `This will offer many bachelor's and master's students a topic for their assignments. I think there are plenty of students who want to work on the design of a car.'
The name of the car is still unknown, as is the date when the first model will be tested on Dutch roadways. In the span of one year, approximately at the beginning of 2010, Meulenbelt will have a prototype finished.
On Thursday, February 5 at 12:30 pm, Avions Voisin will give a presention to students in Horst C101.
