Give Me Mono: BAC Expanding American Dealer Network
Specialized automaker Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has announced plans to expand on the North American market, offering more places for customers to source and service the single-seat BAC Mono.
For those unfamiliar with the company, sales were formerly limited to Europe. However, it’s been setting up facilities in Asia and recently said it would be targeting the United States as the next market where it’ll be broadening its footprint. While you could already purchase BAC products in the U.S. you had to import them until 2017. That’s when the boutique manufacturer introduced its North American dealer network.
Direct sales and service were initially limited to Manhattan and Dallas. A few years later, a premium dealership in Birmingham, Michigan, likewise added the Mono to its ranks via a partnership with Platinum Motorcars. But there’s a lot of room between those locales and BAC has been trying to get more shops to carry (and work on) the Mono.
The new stores will be located in Philadelphia, Greenwich, and Newport Beach — thanks to BAC having hooked up with RDS Automotive Group.
RDS sells all sorts of automobiles. But it specializes in Italian exotics and vehicles wearing the McLaren badge. That ought to make the Mono a better fit than BAC trying to tap Carvana to see if they could slot a few into those giant automotive vending machines.
However, the British automaker said it doesn’t just want RDS to sell the vehicles. It wants customers to be taken through the process of designing a bespoke product for themselves and getting the kind of car that’s uniquely theirs. Considering the Mono cannot be had for less than six figures and is about as practical as carrying around a box of bees, selling would-be customers on an ownership experience is essential.
From BAC:
The spaces in Philadelphia, Greenwich and Newport Beach will blend high luxury with advanced technology to perfectly mirror the core values that underpin the Mono range. The immersive customer spaces will provide an integral touchpoint for future BAC owners as they collaborate with BAC’s design team in the renowned BAC Bespoke process, a curation programme that ensures each Mono example is a true ‘One of a Kind’. As a result of the expansion in the country, customers in the USA will now be able to get closer than ever to this personalisation process, which epitomises the unique ownership proposition of Mono.
On the East Coast, the BAC Philadelphia centre is located in a new RDS facility, whilst BAC Greenwich is situated at a prime RDS location on the idyllic southwestern tip of New England. On the West Coast, the BAC Newport Beach facility lies at the heart of southern Californian car culture, providing panoramic views of Orange County from its second floor coastal-view lounge space. The arrangement with RDS also ensures that first-rate and dedicated BAC Mono servicing, customer and aftersales care will be available to customers across the country.
But there really aren’t a lot of vehicles like the Mono to begin with. It’s already unique and has more in common with a Formula One racer than anything you’re likely to see on the highway.
Its closest competitors are the Ariel Atom or Caterham Seven (the latter of which offers an extra seat and is infinitely more streetable). But the Mono is just a little more extreme and can absolutely crush just about everything you’ve ever seen on most racetracks. Based around a carbon tub, with the engine and gearbox planted behind the driver (turning the rear wheels), the Mono is as hardcore as it gets.
The base version of the open-air racer doesn’t even weigh 1,300 pounds and comes with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine boasting over 300 horsepower. That’s good for a 2.8-second rush to 60 mph and enough lateral G-force to snatch the glasses right off your face. The Mono R is even more insane (lighter, faster, more powerful) and probably best left to those with loads of experience in performance-focused driving.
“Today marks yet another momentous milestone in BAC’s journey with the launch of our official operations in North America,” stated Chris Lockhart, BAC’s Head of Global Sales. “To have an on-the-ground presence on both coasts of the USA – two on the east with BAC Philadelphia and BAC Greenwich, and one on the west with BAC Newport Beach – gives the brand direct access to a passionate and growing community of BAC owners, prospective customers and enthusiasts. In return, people in the USA now have a BAC touchpoint, a place where the world of BAC comes to life the moment they step into the space.”
“The USA is already BAC’s largest primary global market. With the addition of these three new locations, the company will be able to meet increasing demand for the Mono range as well as BAC’s revered bespoke and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship customisation services.”
[Images: Briggs Automotive Company]
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A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Why buy this when you can get a Tesla Model 3 Performance with superior performance and a guaranteed place in the future of the universe?
These would sell better if they came with a service to drop it off (with new tires and brakes) at which ever track you decided to visit per weekend. While its small it still doesn't fit on a private jet and there aren't many tracks close to where your yacht can be docked. 1st world problems here.