DeLorean Motor Company

DeLorean Motor Company
Operation
Type	Vehicle Manufacturer
Founded	October 24, 1975
Location
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan
Country	United States of America

The DeLorean Motor Company (DMC) was an American car manufacturer founded on October 24, 1975 by John Zachary DeLorean.

In April 1973, John Zachary DeLorean, the then Vice President of Car and Truck production at General Motors - previously the chief engineer and general manager of Pontiac and one of the men behind the GTO package sparking the muscle car era - resigned from his position to establish his own company to produce the sports cars he couldn't convince GM to manufacturer.

The only vehicle produced by the company, the DeLorean, was built in Dunmurry, Belfast, Northern Ireland from 1981 to 1982, with development assistance from Lotus prior to it entering production.

During the operation of the company, other DMC vehicles were concepted including the DMC-24, a 4-seater saloon with gull-wing doors; the DMC-44, a lightweight off-roader; and the DMC-80, a low-floor bus.

In October 1982, John DeLorean was arrested by the FBI following a videotaped by sting in which he agreed to finance a cocaine trafficking scheme worth $24 million with an FBI informant. The DeLorean Motor Company filled for bankruptcy a week later on October 26, 1982 as it was unable to pay off its $17 million debts following increased development costs, a lack demand for their sports car, and an inability to secure additional funding.

John DeLorean was found not guilt in court in August 1984 with his defence based on the sting operation being police entrapment.

In 1995, a new company titled "DeLorean Motor Company (Texas)" - trading as "Classic DMC" - was founded by Stephen Wynne and is based in Humble, Texas. It has no direct ties to the original company, having been original established to provide parts and service for the remaining DeLorean sports cars, but utilises the original company branding.

The Texas company was sued in 2014 by the widow of John DeLorean, Sally Baldwin, as her estate retained the rights to the trademarks following the bankruptcy in 1982. An undisclosed settlement was agreed out of court on October 20, 2015, with the Texas company gaining the DeLorean Motor Company name, logo, and associated trademarks.

Vehicles

Vehicle	Engine	Performance	Layout
Alpha5 Concept 2022
DeLorean 1981 2.8L V6	130 bhp, 160 lb⋅ft (97 kW, 217 N·m)	120 mph (193 km/h) 9.0 secs., 5-speed	Mid-Engine, RWD 1,233 kg (2,718 lbs)