U.K. Supercar Maker to Join Ranks of U.S. Producers

U.K. supercar manufacturer Briggs Automotive expands to the U.S., aiming to boost sales of its Mono, touted as the world’s only road-legal, single-seater supercar.

BAC previously worked with U.S. distributors but now is using a direct OEM strategy to bring factory assembly, sales and maintenance services to the U.S.

The ʼ16 Mono comes with a 2.5L 4-cyl., 305-hp Mountune engine that takes the 1,276-lb. (580-kg) car from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.8 seconds.

BAC is basing its American operation in Sonoma, CA, with Mark Rayner overseeing the business as BAC USA president.

The Mono has been available in the U.S. since its launch in 2011, but BAC says providing direct sales and service allows it to bring the bespoke car to a wider audience and improve the BAC experience for existing customers.

A dealership program is in development and BAC USA’s launch includes technical support, dealer acquisition and technician training. It aims to have eight to 10 dedicated dealers across the U.S. within the next 12 months.

“It’s the optimum time in the evolution of the North American market for BAC to enter the region as the OEM,” Rayner says in a statement. “By offering factory presence in the U.S., buyers can benefit from added peace of mind and we can attract new customers to experience the Mono.”

Neill Briggs, company co-founder and product-development director, says the venture into the U.S. is the result of extensive industry research: “It’s the biggest and most informed supercar territory in the world, which is why it’s at the very top of our global sales strategy.”

Liverpool, U.K.-based BAC launched in Hong Kong at the end of 2015 with eight cars sold in a single night. BAC dealers can also be found in North America, Japan and London.