Bosses from Amazon-backed US carmaker Rivian are flying into the 海角视频 next week to visit a potential site for a giant electric car factory, sources have told the West of England mayor's office.
California-based Rivian is said to be eyeing an area between Bristol and Bridgwater, in Somerset, for a 海角视频 plant.
BusinessLive understands that Rivian executives will be involved in a series of meetings with government and business officials, and will visit Somerset鈥檚 616-acre Gravity smart campus - off junction 23 of the M5.
According to sources, Rivian bosses will also visit Bristol to find out about the city鈥檚 innovation expertise, concluding with a dinner aboard the SS Great Britain. They will then fly on to Germany to visit a rival site before making a final decision, it is understood.
The 海角视频 previously missed out to Germany on an investment by Tesla, which opted to open its factory in the European Union following concerns around the uncertainties caused by Brexit.
If Rivian builds a factory in the 海角视频, it would be its first outside the US. A deal with the carmaker would be worth 拢1bn to the 海角视频 economy and in the South West alone could create 10,000 jobs and another 90,000 indirect roles as part of the supply chain.
If it moves ahead, it would be the biggest car deal of its kind in the 海角视频 since the 1980s - and a major boost to the country鈥檚 automotive industry, which saw production slump to its lowest level since 1984 last year amid the pandemic.
It is understood the Gravity site is the only area in Britain large enough for such a project.
In August, BusinessLive revealed the deal was hanging in the balance over the financial incentives Britain could offer. It is understood that one way to unlock it could be to provide the Bristol region with freeport status.
Earlier this year, Bristol lost out in its bid for a freeport - a designated zone where the normal tax and tariff rules of the country do not apply - despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying in November it was a 鈥渟trong contender鈥 for the status.
According to the mayor's office, "time is of the essence", with the meeting taking place as Rivian prepares to become a publicly traded company. The firm has already confidentially filed paperwork with regulators for an initial public offering.
West of England metro mayor Dan Norris said the government needed to be "fleet of foot" to secure the deal.
He said: 鈥淭hese are green jobs wrapped up in a Union Jack. What is not to like? We鈥檝e got it all here - amazing transport links including Bristol Port, which has best record in world for transporting vehicles globally, a site that鈥檚 shovel ready, highly-skilled and motivated workers, world class universities, and a great quality of life."
He added: "It鈥檚 now make-or-break time and they need to put all their cards on the table to win the deal.鈥
Dr John Savage, chair of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative Business West said the "nationally significant" foreign direct investor enquiry "fits well" with the region's capabilities.
"There is a new wave of major investment into Bristol, Bath and the wider South West," he said.
"The area has some of the best people, a world-class innovation and clean growth cluster and is a place of choice for successful business in the 海角视频 and beyond."
A government spokesperson said: 鈥淭he government is working hard to attract inward investment into the 海角视频 to accelerate the growth of new industries and create jobs, however, we do not comment on speculation about individual investments.鈥
Rivian has not responded to a request for comment.
Like this story? Why not sign up to get South West business news straight to your inbox.
