Moke (revival) explained

Sp:uk
MOKE
Production:2013–present
Related:Mini Moke
Body Style:4-seat convertible
Transmission:5-speed manual
Wheelbase:2260mm
Length:3460mm
Width:1530mm
Height:1540mm
Designer:Michael Young
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

The MOKE is a recreational vehicle manufactured by Chery Automobile in China since 2013 and assembled by a variety of companies in the United States, United Kingdom, France, and others. The design, by British industrial designer Michael Young, evokes the classic Mini Moke built from 1964 until 1993. The name "Mini Moke" combines Mini with Moke, an archaic term for mule.[1] The new version is simply called "MOKE".

The original Mini Moke was conceived and manufactured as a lightweight military vehicle by British Motor Corporation (BMC), and subsequently marketed for civilian use by that company's various successor companies and subsidiaries. It was known for its simple, straightforward, doorless design, and for its adaptability. While the original design was also sold for utility purposes, the new Moke is mainly meant for recreational use, as a beach car, or as a neighborhood vehicle.

The MOKE revival began as a joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover and Chinese automaker Chery Automobile,[2] although ownership of the "Moke" trademark is disputed.[3] Moke America LLC distributes the vehicle in the United States,[4] while British production by Moke International Ltd. restarted in 2018 (this company was subsequently acquired by EV Technology Group in 2022).[5] [6] [7]

History

The original Mini Moke was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis[8] and John Sheppard.[9] The more rugged Mini Moke was an attempt to take a portion of the military vehicle business from Land Rover, but poor ground clearance and a low-powered engine did not meet the most basic requirements for an off-road vehicle.

The Mini Moke entered production nonetheless, as a utility and recreational convertible for private use under the Austin, Morris and Leyland brands. The Mini Moke was built in Australia from 1966 until 1981, and was then gradually moved to British Leyland's Portuguese subsidiary beginning in 1980. Italian motorcycle manufacturers Cagiva took over the rights to the Portuguese operation in 1990 and built the Moke there (styled "MOKE" without "Mini" in the name) in small numbers until 1993. Various companies have built replicas and recreations over the years; the car's simple design has also allowed enthusiasts to create entire new Mokes from parts.

Revival

In 2013, Chery Automobile began manufacturing the Moke in China.[10] This evocation was designed by industrial designer Michael Young and several companies in the United Kingdom, France,[11] and the United States assemble the Chery-made car locally. The local assemblers also use locally sourced parts like glass, tires, and electrical engines to various degrees.

The last petrol powered Moke of this design was sold at the Blenheim Palace Ball auction in 2022. The proceeds of the event were donated to the charity Starlight UK.[12]

Electric versions

Since 2014, an electric version based on the original Moke design was assembled in France under the name "Nosmoke".[13] Built by a company called Nosmoke S.A.S., they originally operated out of the old Heuliez plant in Cerizay but later relocated to an old printing plant in the same town.[11] Nosmoke has also developed a 2-seater box truck version with a closed cabin called the Truckï, which is set to enter production in 2023.[14] An Electric Moke (styled "eMoke") low-speed vehicle based on the Chinese MOKE has been assembled in the United States by Cruise Car Inc.[15] for MOKE America since 2017. It uses a mix of Chinese-made and locally sourced parts.[16] An electric E-Moke built in France was also offered for a few years, but production moved to Britain in 2021.[17] In 2021, a second electric version based on this design was launched,[18] with a limited-edition US highway certified version called "MOKE Californian" following in 2022.[19] [20]

In 2022, Moke International[21] agreed to a takeover by EV Technology Group (EVTG[22]). The Canadian electric transportation company bought 67 percent of the shares, with an option to increase this to full ownership.[23] [24] In a related purchase, EV Technology Group also purchased 76 percent of Fablink,[25] [26] which manufactures the e-Moke electric vehicle, with an option to acquire the remainder of the company.[27]

Design

The MOKE has a front subframe and other mechanical items such as the front strut suspension and transmission adapted from Chery's other cars. The engine is a 1.1-liter, four-cylinder unit built by Chery subsidiary Acteco Powertrain and commonly seen across a wide range of Chinese-built compacts and subcompacts. The Chinese drivetrain has necessitated a larger front end with a much more substantial front overhang than the original Mini Moke's Alec Issigonis design allowed.

Aside from the petrol-powered version, numerous electric versions have also been developed by local assemblers. These engines offer a variety of outputs, with some models being certified for highway use while some are only sold as low-speed vehicles (LSV), limited to a top speed of .[28]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rees, Chris . Complete Classic Mini 1959–2000 . 2003 . Motor Racing . 1-899870-60-1.
  2. Web site: Chinese automaker Chery restarts Moke production . Hemmings . Kurt . Ernst . 2013-10-10 . 2022-09-23 .
  3. Web site: Jahner . Kyle . 9 May 2024 . Dueling 'Moke' Sellers Tell 4th Cir. Trademark Isn't Generic . 1 June 2024 . Bloomberg Law . en.
  4. Web site: Hill . Joshua S. . 2022-06-28 . Remember the Mini Moke? It's back in the USA, and it's electric . 2023-02-10 . The Driven . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2022-07-22 . Maker of electric Moke sold to EV Technology Group . 2022-09-21 . Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Hill . Joshua S. . 2022-07-21 . Moke maker bought by EV Technology to spur global expansion . 2022-09-22 . The Driven . en-US.
  7. Web site: EVTG:CN (EV Technology Group Ltd.) . 2022-10-01 . Bloomberg.
  8. Book: Wood, Jonathan . Alec Issigonis: The Man Who Made the Mini . Breedon Books Publishing . 2005 . 1-85983-449-3.
  9. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11597676/John-Sheppard-car-designer-obituary.html John Sheppard, car designer – obituary.
  10. Web site: Chalcraft . Emilie . 2012-10-08 . Moke car by Michael Young . 2022-11-02 . dezeen . en-US.
  11. Web site: Gouault . Fabien . 2021-10-05 . Ressuscitée en Deux-Sèvres, l'emblématique Mini-Moke au cœur d'une concurrence féroce . Revived in Deux-Sèvres, the iconic Mini-Moke is at the centre of a fierce competition . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028055625/https://www.ouest-france.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/bressuire-79300/deux-sevres-ressuscitee-a-cerizay-l-emblematique-mini-moke-au-coeur-d-une-concurrence-feroce-b5cf54ac-2516-11ec-8e9f-c33cd54931fd . 2022-10-28 . Ouest-France . fr.
  12. Web site: Burgos . Matthew . 2022-05-24 . from gasoline to electric: MOKE auctioned off last petrol vehicle for charity . 2023-02-10 . designboom architecture & design magazine . en.
  13. Web site: Electric cars for individuals and professionals . 2022-11-03 . NOSMOKE SAS . en.
  14. Web site: 2021-06-03 . Le Truckï arrive bientôt en ville . The Truckï is coming to town . 2022-10-29 . La Nouvelle République . fr.
  15. Web site: eMoke . 2022-11-23 . New – Cruise Car . en-US.
  16. Web site: Like a Bird . 2017-09-01 . BusinessObserverFL . Grier . Ferguson . Observer Media Group, Inc. .
  17. News: Mini Moke comes back to Britain . Alan . Tovey . 2021-09-22 . .
  18. Web site: 2022-05-31 . Mini Moke production kicks off . 2022-09-24 . electrive.com . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2022-11-10 . Moke Californian Is Electric, Costs $42K. How about a Trip to the Beach? . 2022-11-12 . Car and Driver . en-us.
  20. Web site: Toll . Micah . 2022-10-17 . MOKE International returns to US with street-legal 50 mph open-top electric vehicle . 2022-11-23 . Electrek . en-US.
  21. Web site: Introducing the Electric Moke . 2022-09-21 . MOKE . en-GB.
  22. Web site: EV Technology Group . 2022-09-21 . www.bloomberg.com.
  23. Web site: Smith . Adrian . 2022-07-20 . Maker of Iconic Electric MOKE Acquired by EV Technology Group . 2022-09-21 . Auto Futures . en-GB.
  24. Web site: 2022-07-22 . Maker of electric Moke sold to EV Technology Group . 2022-09-22 . Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International . en-GB.
  25. Web site: Maher . David . 2022-08-03 . EV Technology Group announces agreement to acquire up to 100% of Fablink Group, spearheading future global growth . 2022-09-21 . EVTG . en-US.
  26. Web site: Fablink . 2022-09-21 . www.fablink.co.uk . en.
  27. Web site: EVTG Strategic Brands Group . 2022-11-23 . EVTG . en-US.
  28. News: Bell . Jonathan . 2022-11-10 . Revived cult classic all-electric Moke makes it to the States . 2022-11-11 . wallpaper.com . en.