HQ HISTORY & TIMELINE

A major step forward in production capabilities with the new purpose-built 2500m2 factory opening. The new building will occupy all of the engineers and large scale production machinery.

Stage 3 Track is extended and Stage 2 Track is also widened completing the upgrades to the Rodin Cars purpose built Test Track.

Stage 3 Track and the new Pit Shed is completed.

Stage 2 Track is completed adding new configurations and test driving conditions. The new track allows for higher speeds and more accurate aerodynamic testing of the Rodin Cars. The new Pit Garage is also started which will facilitate maintenance whilst track testing.

The 2016 Kaikoura earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 (Mw) earthquake in the South Island of New Zealand that occurred two minutes after midnight on 14 November 2016. This earthquake caused a lot of damage to Rodin Cars and required months of clean up and repairs.

A big year for Rodin with the first staff members hired including The purchase of the 2012 Lotus Type 125 concept, which was designed to package the Formula 1 experience into a publicly available track-day weapon. Lotus only managed to sell five of its planned 25 Type 125s, and David Dicker’s New Zealand-based Rodin firm took the reins of the project in 2016.

Careful excavation began on the largely hidden lower track now known as Stage 2, which twists and turns down towards the Wandle River.

New sheds and workshops are developed with the addition of the first test track at Rodin Cars, this would be called “Stage 1”.

The new buildings for storing cars and parts begins, from here dedicated machinery is purchased and brought in to Rodin Cars new HQ.

After investigating several alternative locations, Wandle Downs was purchased 12km out of Waiau, North Canterbury. 550 hectares of pristine countryside set along a state highway, offered the perfect mix of flat and rolling land, stunning natural features and potential.

Although nestled in a quiet rural location, Wandle Downs was still close enough to the South Islands largest city Christchurch, ensuring the necessary materials and talent were close at hand. The property was largely deer fenced with sprawling laneways and farming features, but David had a firm vision.

Founded in 1999 by David Dicker, the name Rodin comes from the sculptor Auguste Rodin, the man behind “The Thinker.” And that’s Dicker’s approach: to think critically about a problem and look for a solution to suit him.