RBW EV Cars, the only manufacturer of new, hand-crafted electric British classic sports cars in the U.S. and UK, has announced the hiring of NASCAR champion Peyton Sellers as Director of U.S. Operations. The appointment, made official during SEMA 2024 in Las Vegas, marks a key step in RBW’s expansion plans as the company prepares to open its first U.S. factory in southern Virginia. Sellers, a two-time champion in NASCAR’s Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, brings extensive experience in automotive assembly and commercial vehicle operations, positioning RBW for growth in the North American EV market.
RBW, in collaboration with Spirit EV—a specialised EV systems provider for both new and classic cars—is set to produce a new range of electric left-hand-drive vehicles in the U.S., including its signature RBW Roadster and the forthcoming GT model. As part of his new role, Sellers will oversee operations at the Virginia facility, where both RBW models and custom EV units for U.S.-based Spirit EV customers will be assembled.
Sellers’ passion for cars and racing started at a young age, beginning with go-karts at seven and leading him to his first stock car race by fifteen. His career has since flourished, with numerous race wins and championships, including a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame for two Late Model Stock Car National Championships. In addition to racing, Sellers owns an assembly business for large-scale vehicle production and custom builds, knowledge that RBW CEO Peter Swain said would be instrumental to the company’s U.S. operations.
With Spirit EV, RBW’s strategic partner, the expansion brings expertise in the development, testing, and production of customised EV systems. Spirit EV, launched last month, enables companies to outsource all or part of their EV projects, from design through to manufacturing. With a focus on unique, tailored engineering, Spirit EV’s services allow companies to reduce project time and costs by as much as 70%. Spirit EV operates under strict regulatory standards, aiming for REG 100 compliance, and maintains ISO 9001-certified quality processes to expedite project timelines.
Peyton Sellers expressed excitement about the opportunity, emphasising RBW and Spirit EV’s readiness to meet the growing demand for EV systems over traditional petrol engines. “I’m truly excited to be joining two family-run, innovative EV brands,” Sellers said. “RBW and Spirit EV are well positioned to capitalise on the market trend toward EV adoption and will be a catalyst for economic and manufacturing growth in southern Virginia.”
In addition to RBW’s U.S. expansion, the British EV manufacturer offers prospective buyers a highly personalised experience through an online configurator. Customers can customise their RBW Roadster and GT models, choosing paint colours, roof types, interior details, and wheel designs. The Roadster starts at $139,000, with the GT model priced at $151,000. The website is also accessible in multiple languages, catering to an international clientele.
RBW’s expansion into the U.S. aligns with rising interest in bespoke EV solutions, reflecting a broader shift within the industry towards customisable and sustainable alternatives to traditional petrol vehicles. The company anticipates that its new U.S. factory will bolster production capabilities and support its goal of making high-quality, British-inspired electric sports cars available to a wider audience.
For more details on Spirit EV’s development services, visit www.spiritev.com.