Viva Electric Jets begins building a production line in Mikkeli
In mid-November, the ELY Centre of South Savo (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment), granted funding to our company for developing new generation electric jet skis. Building the first phase production line in Mikkeli is now decided.
The development work on the jet skis has been carried out at a rapid pace in Mikkeli for a year, and the first prototype has been presented at fairs and various other events. The Viva Electric Jet will be put into production with a new hull that can be equipped to meet the needs of different user groups.
“First, our goal is to manufacture around 200 jet skis a year in Mikkeli. We will first make the GT version, i.e. the racing version with the latest equipment. Later, other versions suitable for different uses, such as authorities, recreational and fishing use, can be built on its basis,” says Timo Kronqvist, CEO of Viva Jets Oy.
The construction of the first series production line will be started with the help of a funding decision of around three hundred thousand euros made by the ELY Centre. The self-financing part of the project has already been raised earlier.
Small-scale production of electric watercraft will begin in Mikkeli in 2025, and the following year, production capacity will be fully operational.
The company will subcontract the hulls of the watercraft so that it can focus on its own expertise in electric mobility (low-emission and energy-efficient design, electir power, jet engines and usability) , as well as on equipping, testing and servicing the watercraft.
“We are starting small-scale production with ease, considering what we will manufacture ourselves and what will be procuded with subcontractors. We will use different electric motors and batteries as well as special components for the devices manufactured for different purposes. Also, taking advantage of the knowhow of the Mikkeli electric cluster in our production, is a must.”
The company is also running a separate product development project, where the next version of the device will be developed. There the the obligatory CE -standrds will be applied, which indicates that the product meets the requirements of EU directives and regulations.
When the production of the watercraft is in full swing later, the company will employ fifty experts in Mikkeli.
Pre-orders are interesting
About 50 pre-orders have already been made for electric watercraft.
“We are still collecting pre-orders from those interested. During the spring, we will start selling the equipment to them when delivery times are confirmed,” describes CEO Kronqvist.
In the summer of 2025, the company will participate in trade fairs in Monaco and the following year in Düsseldorf, Germany. The fairs will be used as an opportunity to present the products to the general public.
“We invite those who have pre-ordered to Mikkeli to get to know the equipment. We are also seeking funding to accelerate marketing and sales abroad, where our main markets are.”
Well-known investors are involved
Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo joined as an investor and brand ambassador at the initial stage. Another well-known brand ambassador and investor is ice hockey influencer and former player Jarmo Kekäläinen.
“Our brand ambassadors have good international networks that help us with disgussion regarding our target groups. We are very pleased that we now have local supporters and investors joining us. We will be happy to tell interested parties about more cooperation opportunities.”
Mikkeli has created The Electric Mobility Cluster
Mikkeli development company Miksei Oy has assembled the Finnish Electric Mobility Cluster in Mikkeli.
In addition to Viva Jets Oy, the cluster includes Aurora Powertrains, which built an electric battery production line in Mikkeli and electric snowmobiles, Valkama Watercrafts, which develops electric boats, and AMS Corporation, which developed a mobile DC fast charging station. The developers of the eLyly snowmobile are also involved.
The country's first Electric Mobility Cluster has been assembled by project manager Marjo Niittuaho-Nastolin, who has supported companies in seeking funding, marketing and internationalization through the development project.
The cluster will include new companies developing products and services for electric light mobility. The project will end at the end of July 2025.
More information:
Viva Jets Oy, CEO Timo Kronqvist, tel. 044 597 0609, e-mail: timo.kronqvist(at)vivaelectricjets.com
Mikkeli development company Miksei, project manager Marjo Niittuaho-Nastolin, tel. 050 350 2055, e-mail: marjo.niittuaho-nastolin(at)mikseimikkeli.fi
