Rodster by the Slovak company Patak Motors. (source: Courtesy of Patak Motors)
Slovakia will soon become home to another car manufacturer.
Patak Motors will produce a retro city car at the former industrial premises of Kovosmalt in Fiľakovo, Banská Bystrica Region. The company has already taken possession of the new hall and plans to start production in July.
It intends to initially employ 16 people, but plans to double its workforce as production expands.
Patak Motors is developing and manufacturing a 1930s-era city car to be called 'Rodster'.
“The inspiration for its development came from classic gentleman-style cars, but currently these aren’t seen on city streets in the EU at all,” said Sonia Matúšková on behalf of Patak Motors as cited by the TASR newswire. “The target group is city dwellers who are looking for an efficient, environmentally friendly and fun way to get around.”
The two-seat vehicle will be produced in both electric and petrol powered versions and will be available as convertible and completely roofless models. Its price starts at €21,900.
Positive impact on the region
The manufacturing premises in Fiľakovo will serve as both a centre for the development, production and assembly of the vehicles, but also as a showroom.
“The technology centre will be used for the improvement of materials and components, which will make the plant a base for innovative solutions,” said Matúšková. “In addition, the vehicle will be completely produced here, from body parts through surface finishing to final assembly.”
The company expects the investment in Fiľakovo to have a positive impact on the city and the region where unemployment is high. In addition to creating new jobs, the firm also wants to support local suppliers.
The investment is also seen positively by the local government.
“I am very happy that a new investor is coming to the former Kovosmalt premises,” said Attila Agócs, Mayor of Fiľakovo.
Construction of a new production hall on the site of the former Kovosmalt in Fiľakovo started last February and the works were completed in autumn. The town received funding from the Interreg programme and the state budget for the implementation of the €4 million project. The Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region also joined the project as a co-investor, putting in €400,000.
Patak Motors
The carmaker consists of a team of enthusiasts, car lovers and designers with more than a century of experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries. Most of them come from Slovakia.
“Andrej Hulala is the author of the idea, the key designer and project leader,” the company writes on its website. “With a history as a car racer, designing the Rodster is a childhood dream come true.
Michal Vršek has a background in structural engineering and manufacturing. He has previously worked for clients including VW/Porsche, Nissan, Volvo, Renault, Peugeot and Citroën. Norbert Klement is the chief design engineer. He designed and built vehicles for the Paris Dakar Rally, and has worked for major German manufacturing plants, among others.
The aim of Patak Motors was to design a vehicle tailored to the needs of urban people.
“A car that would turn everyday chores like commuting to work, shopping or taking the kids to school, into fun,” the company writes. “A practical small car with perfect driving characteristics that would be friendly to both inhabitants and the environment.”
