Singer's Founder & CEO on Analog Cars, Craftsmanship, and the Future of Performance

The Genesis of Singer Vehicle Design

• 💡 Singer Vehicle Design began as a design company, evolving into a bespoke automotive manufacturer focused on reimagining the Porsche 911.
• 🚀 The company's journey, starting in 2009, involved a steep learning curve in scaling operations while maintaining extreme quality standards.
• 🔑 Founder Rob Dickinson emphasizes that the company's core philosophy is "curating the want," understanding and fulfilling the profound desire for a specific, perfect car.

Scaling and Quality Control

• 🎯 Raj Nair, the new CEO, highlights his focus on quality over speed, even intentionally slowing down production to ensure every vehicle meets Singer's exacting standards.
• 🛠️ Singer has grown from building 10 cars a year to a target of 400, necessitating a move from multiple small buildings to a larger, more integrated factory.
• 📈 The challenge of scaling involves embracing process and finding skilled individuals experienced in low-volume automotive manufacturing, a rarity in the US compared to the UK's motorsport heritage.

The Singer Experience vs. Hypercars

• ✨ Singer cars are designed for the driving experience—visual, auditory, and physical—rather than solely focusing on ultimate performance metrics or lap times.
• 🚗 While hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Mercedes-AMG ONE push technical boundaries, Singer prioritizes a unique, engaging, and analog driving feel.
• 🌟 A key element of Singer's desirability is how the car sits on the road, its visual confidence, and the meticulous attention to detail in every millimeter.

Leadership and Future Vision

• 🧠 Singer operates without a committee, fostering a clear sense of direction and decisive leadership, which Rob Dickinson describes humorously as a "fascist empire."
• 🌟 The future vision involves maturing and stabilizing the company, ensuring a great place to work, and exploring new applications for Singer's philosophy, including the Willow Springs Raceway and a watch company.
• 🚀 Raj Nair's role is to bring manufacturing expertise to develop repeatable processes that deliver exceptional one-off services, balancing growth with the core commitment to quality.

The Enduring Appeal of Analog Cars

• ⚡ In an increasingly EV-dominated world, Singer believes there's a resurgence in demand for analog driving experiences, driven by passion and character.
• 💬 The unique vibrations, steering feel, and mechanical connection offered by internal combustion engines provide a tangible, emotional input that electric cars often lack.
• 🚗 While acknowledging the engineering marvels of EVs, Singer remains committed to celebrating the heritage and soul of the Porsche 911 and the internal combustion engine.