Car builder solar car Lightyear 0 bankrupt

Atlas Technologies B.V.,the company responsible for the production of the solar car Lightyear 0, has been declared bankrupt. Earlier this week, a moratorium had already been filed.

Atlas Technologies Holding B.V., which holds the IP rights, and Lightyear Layer B.V. are not in scope of the suspension of payments proceedings of Atlas Technologies B.V. In the coming period the curator will focus on the position of the employees and creditors as well as assessing how the Lightyear concept can be continued.

The car manufactor based in Helmond (Netherlands) says to regrets the bankruptcy for all employees, customers, investors and suppliers. The company employs some 600 people.Earlier this week, Lightyear said it would stop production of its first expensive model Lightyear 0 in order to concentrate on the cheaper Lightyear 2, which should be on the market in a few years. Whether that will continue is unclear. A statement shows that the trustee will now look into whether and how the Lightyear concept can be continued.

Lightyear will make 10.000 cars for the business-to-business market

Car-manufacturer Lightyear, based in Helmond, will produce 10,000 additional models of the Lightyear 2.

The Lightyear 0 would cost about 250,000 euros and has built-in solar panels. This reduces the need to charge the car. The Lightyear 2 was to be the consumer model, with a price under 40,000 euros. Earlier this month, Lightyear said it had received another order from leasing company Arval for 10,000 units.