Westfield: Westfield announces new ownership

Leading kit car specialist Westfield has been bought by Potenza Sports Cars Limited, a division of the Potenza automotive engineering group.Westfield Sportscars was founded by Chris Smith producing Lotus XI replicas, and over the past 24 years he has built the company to produce high specification lightweight cars.

It was the first company to win the prestigious Low Volume Type Approval certificate and was at the forefront of the introduction of Single Vehicle Approval to the kit car industry.

The new British owner, Potenza Sports Cars Limited says it will build on the ethos of constant development, starting by increasing investment to meet Euro 4 regulations, and so allow the Westfield Duratec-powered vehicles to be registered across Europe and beyond.

Chris Smith will stay involved with Westfield on a consultancy basis and also as an investor, while the company will gain a new managing director, Julian Turner who has long experience in business, engineering and manufacturing.

Smith said: “Escalating costs of modern automotive development has made it difficult for Westfield to compete on a global level. Backed by the new investors and expertise Westfield will now have the opportunity to introduce new innovation and technology to the kit car and specialist car industry, enabling it to grow to its full potential.”

Smith continued: “Up until now Westfield has been run as a family business, and this is a very emotional time for the both family and our loyal enthusiastic work force. The new team is dedicated to keeping the infectious, friendly atmosphere that the Westfield enthusiast has come to enjoy over the past 24 years. This is beyond doubt an exciting opportunity to open the next chapter in the Westfield experience!”