A Vernon company that makes street-legal golf carts is moving into a bigger manufacturing plant in Spallumcheen
Simolo Customs Ltd. has bought a 42,000-square-foot facility in the Spallumcheen Industrial Park.
Simolo is the only approved Canadian manufacturer of low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) — and the company needs more room to match the growing popularity of the vehicles.
“ItÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ the next major step in the growth of our company,” said Marketing and IT manager Devon Crull in a phone interview.
Simolo currently operates out of a plant on Greenhow Road. The company will start moving to the new facility this fall with full operations planned for early 2026.
“The extra space is going to be needed immediately,” said Crull.
Simolo produces about 100 cars a year and employs about 17 people. “We have been limited by the size of our building,” the manager said.
LSVs are growing category in the United States: “They must meet specific safety criteria—seat belts, headlights, turn signals, and speed-limiting capabilities—and are often approved for use on public roads up to 35 mph,” the company said in a news release.
Approval in Canada is harder to get. “We’re CanadaÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ only street-legal LSV manufacturer,” Crull said.
“We’re proud to be the only manufacturer in Canada approved by Transport Canada to apply the National Safety Mark to our LSVs. ItÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ a symbol of rigorous engineering, detailed documentation, and full compliance with federal vehicle safety standards,” the press release said.
Simolo vehicles can be found on golf courses, of course, and in resort communities. ItÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ the only non-club-owned cart allowed on the Vernon Golf and Country Club links, Crull said.
HeyYa Rentals offers Simolo vehicles for rent in Vancouver and Victoria. Purolator uses them in some urban areas.
The new plant location “provides easy access for both inbound materials and outbound vehicle shipments,” the press release said. “With dedicated bays, high ceilings, and ample room for future expansion, the new headquarters will centralize SCÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ operations under one roof: from design and fabrication to assembly, quality control, and fulfillment.”
The purchase also demonstrates a long-term commitment to manufacturing in Canada, the company said.
“As other brands look overseas, we’re doubling down on building here at home,” said Jeff Holomis, founder and CEO, in a statement.
CanadaÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ tariff and trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump is so far working in SimoloÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ favour as wannabe buyers are looking north of the border, said Crull.
“Actually itÎÚŃ»´«Ă˝ been more positive than anything. A lot of clients and customers are coming to us because we’re Canadian made. There aren’t tariffs when they’re buying the vehicles.”
Simolo was established in 2010. Last year, the province recognized Simolo with funding from its BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to help expand its facility and buy new equipment.