Kamkorp
Kamkorp was a privately held group centered on electric and hybrid-electric transportation technology developed principally through Frazer-Nash Research.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Kamkorp was a privately held holding group associated with a portfolio of engineering, transportation and technology businesses, with its principal technical activity conducted through Frazer-Nash Research Limited. Owned by British-Indian businessman Kamal Siddiqi, the group focused on proprietary electric and hybrid-electric powertrains and their application to vehicles, taxis, rail systems and other industrial transportation products. The group’s central technical concept was a range-extended electric powertrain. In this configuration, electric motors drive the vehicle while an internal-combustion engine operates a generator to recharge the battery or provide electrical energy directly. Frazer-Nash Research developed the major elements of the system in-house, including mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and automotive engineering components. The architecture was intended to support multiple vehicle formats, from small urban vehicles and golf-course transporters to taxis, monorails and demonstration cars. Kamkorp’s activities extended beyond conventional road vehicles. Frazer-Nash-associated projects included electric people movers, an electric go-kart, the Sense city car, the Windsor estate and golf-course vehicle, the Road Train passenger vehicle, and the Metrail monorail concept. The group also developed or supported prototype electrified versions of Proton vehicles in Malaysia. These prototypes entered the RAC Future Car Challenge, where the Proton Exora achieved category wins in consecutive years according to the supplied reference material. The group gained visibility through high-profile transportation programs. It supplied electric vehicles for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and more than 300 electric vehicles for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Its Metrail demonstration system was established in Nilai, Malaysia, in 2003. In 2004, a Kamkorp-related company acquired the Metrocab brand and worked with Frazer-Nash Research on a range-extended electric taxi intended to reduce emissions in London. A trial fleet operated in London, and the vehicle was described as the first range-extended electric taxi licensed by a major metropolitan area. Frazer-Nash also presented the Namir hybrid sports-car prototype at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The project combined Frazer-Nash’s four-motor powertrain with vehicle engineering and construction by Italdesign Giugiaro. The prototype was subsequently demonstrated at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Kamkorp additionally acquired the assets of Bristol Cars in 2011. Bristol’s proposed Bullet sports car was unveiled in 2016, although planned production did not proceed as intended. The group’s corporate position deteriorated during the late 2010s and early 2020s. Frazer-Nash Research Limited was ordered to be wound up by a court in July 2018, and a liquidator was appointed in November of that year. Kamkorp Limited was ordered to be wound up in January 2020, with a liquidator appointed the following month. A related Metrocab company, Ecotive Limited, filed for voluntary liquidation in November 2021. These proceedings indicate that Kamkorp no longer operates as an active group in the form described in its historical materials.
History
Kamkorp developed as a privately held group of businesses controlled by Kamal Siddiqi and organized around engineering and transportation ventures. Its principal technical operating company was Frazer-Nash Research Limited, a British research and development enterprise whose capabilities covered mechanical engineering, electrical systems, electronics, software, industrial design and automotive development. Rather than concentrating on a single mass-market product, the group pursued a modular technology strategy that could be adapted to different vehicle platforms and transport environments. Frazer-Nash’s main technological proposition was the range-extended electric powertrain. Vehicles using this architecture were propelled by electric motors, while a combustion engine and generator supplied additional electrical energy when required. The group designed the relevant systems and subsystems within its own businesses and applied the platform to both experimental and practical transportation projects. Early applications included an electric go-kart, the Solar Baby people mover assembled in Malaysia through Perusahaan Otomobil Elektrik, and the Sense city car. Other projects included the Windsor vehicle for golf courses and large estates and the Road Train passenger system, which used multiple motors across its carriages. The group’s technology received exposure through public-event transportation programs. In 1998, Frazer-Nash supplied 120 electric vehicles for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, including vehicles used by the British team in Commonwealth Park. In 2000, it supplied more than 300 electric vehicles for the Sydney Olympic Games, where they were used by officials, athletes, police and support personnel around the Olympic site. Kamkorp also explored rail-based mobility. On 18 September 2003, Metrail, a Kamkorp-associated business, established a demonstration facility for an electric monorail system in Nilai, Malaysia. The demonstrator was built over approximately six months and reportedly operated for more than nine years. The system used onboard energy storage and generation rather than depending on a conventional third rail. Its design combined electric traction, microelectronics and lightweight composite construction. In road transport, Frazer-Nash collaborated with Proton of Malaysia on electric versions of the Saga, Persona and Exora. These vehicles participated in the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge in 2011, a competition emphasizing efficiency and low emissions. The Proton Exora won its category in two successive years according to the supplied reference material. Frazer-Nash’s Namir prototype provided a more performance-oriented demonstration of the same broader engineering approach. Revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the two-seat hybrid prototype used a four-motor Frazer-Nash powertrain, while Italdesign Giugiaro handled much of the vehicle engineering and construction. The car was later demonstrated at Goodwood. A major commercial initiative involved the Metrocab London taxi. In 2004, Ecotive, a Kamkorp-related company, acquired the Metrocab brand. Working with Frazer-Nash Research, it developed a range-extended electric taxi with two electric motors, a battery system and a small petrol engine coupled to a generator. The vehicle was trialled in London and was promoted as a response to the city’s tightening emissions requirements. In 2014, the Metrocab was described as the first range-extended electric taxi licensed by a major metropolitan area. Ecotive partnered with Multimatic with the stated objective of moving the taxi toward production and supporting London’s zero-emissions-capable taxi timetable. In 2011, the Kamkorp Group acquired the assets of the former Bristol Cars Limited and Bristol Cars Services Limited. The Bristol marque was subsequently associated with development of the Bullet sports car. The prototype was unveiled on 26 July 2016, with production originally expected to begin in 2017, but the planned production program did not materialize. The group entered a period of corporate failure at the end of the decade. Frazer-Nash Research Limited was ordered to be wound up in July 2018, and a liquidator was appointed in November. Kamkorp Limited itself was ordered to be wound up in January 2020, with a liquidator appointed in February. The related Ecotive company later filed for voluntary liquidation in November 2021. These proceedings mark the effective end of Kamkorp’s historical operating structure, although the group’s projects remain notable examples of early efforts to commercialize modular electric and range-extended powertrains across several forms of transportation.
- 2021
Ecotive enters voluntary liquidation
[1]Ecotive Limited filed for voluntary liquidation on 29 November 2021.
- 2020
Kamkorp Limited liquidation begins
[1]Kamkorp Limited was ordered to be wound up, followed by the appointment of a liquidator.
- 2018
Frazer-Nash Research liquidation begins
[1]Frazer-Nash Research was ordered to be wound up, and a liquidator was appointed later that year.
- 2016
Bristol Bullet unveiled
[1]The Bristol Bullet sports-car prototype was unveiled on 26 July 2016.
- 2014
Metrocab licensed for metropolitan taxi trials
[1]The Metrocab was described as the first range-extended electric taxi licensed by a major metropolitan area, with a trial fleet deployed in London.
- 2011
Bristol Cars assets acquired
[1]The Kamkorp Group acquired the assets of the former Bristol Cars Limited and Bristol Cars Services Limited.
- 2009
Namir hybrid prototype presented
[1]The Frazer-Nash Namir hybrid sports-car prototype was shown at the Geneva Motor Show and later demonstrated at Goodwood.
- 2004
Metrocab brand acquired
[1]Ecotive, part of the Kamkorp group, became the owner of the Metrocab taxi brand.
- 2003
Metrail demonstration facility opened
[1]A Kamkorp-associated Metrail business established an electric monorail demonstration facility in Nilai, Malaysia.
- 2000
Electric-vehicle supplier for the Sydney Olympics
[1]Frazer-Nash supplied more than 300 electric vehicles for use during the Sydney Olympic Games.
Products and positioning
An engineering-led transportation technology group positioned around proprietary multi-motor electric and range-extended electric systems for urban mobility, specialist vehicles and low-volume applications.
Electric and hybrid-electric powertrain
Range-Extended Electric Powertrain
Frazer-Nash Research’s core technology used electric motors for propulsion and an internal-combustion engine coupled to a generator as an auxiliary energy source. The system was designed as a flexible platform with in-house mechanical, electrical, electronic and software elements. It was applied to city cars, taxis, sports-car prototypes, monorails and other specialist vehicles.
Taxi
Metrocab
The Metrocab was a London taxi developed by Ecotive in collaboration with Frazer-Nash Research. It used two electric motors and a battery supported by a small petrol engine and generator. The vehicle was trialled as a lower-emission taxi and was associated with London’s zero-emissions-capable taxi objectives.
Hybrid sports-car prototype · 2009
Frazer-Nash Namir
The Namir was a two-seat hybrid sports-car prototype presented at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Frazer-Nash developed and supplied its four-motor powertrain, while Italdesign Giugiaro engineered and built the remainder of the vehicle, including the structural and body systems. It was a technology demonstrator rather than a documented mass-production model.
Electric monorail system · 2003
Metrail
Metrail was a monorail concept using Frazer-Nash powertrain technology, onboard energy systems, computer-controlled traction and lightweight composite construction. A demonstration facility operated in Nilai, Malaysia, beginning in 2003. The system was intended to avoid dependence on a conventional third rail.
Sports car prototype · 2016
Bristol Bullet
The Bristol Bullet was a sports-car prototype developed under the Bristol Cars marque after Kamkorp acquired the assets of the former Bristol Cars businesses. It was unveiled on 26 July 2016, and production was initially expected in 2017, but the planned production launch did not occur.
Electric people mover
Solar Baby
Solar Baby was a zero-emission people mover assembled in Malaysia through a joint venture involving Perusahaan Otomobil Elektrik. It represented one of the group’s early attempts to apply electric propulsion to compact passenger transport.
Electric city car
Sense City Car
The Sense was an electric vehicle designed for urban and city use. It formed part of Frazer-Nash Research’s broader portfolio of small electric vehicles and platform demonstrations.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014London Metrocab trial
United Kingdom
Ecotive and Frazer-Nash deployed a trial fleet of range-extended electric Metrocab taxis in London and promoted the vehicle as a response to emerging urban emissions requirements.
Outcome. The Metrocab became associated with London’s zero-emissions-capable taxi policy, although the planned production program did not reach sustained commercial scale.
- 2011RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge
United Kingdom · Malaysia
Frazer-Nash collaborated with Proton on electric-powered prototypes based on the Saga, Persona and Exora. The vehicles entered the RAC Future Car Challenge, which evaluated efficiency and pollution performance.
Outcome. The Proton Exora won its category for two consecutive years according to the supplied reference material.
- 2000Sydney Olympic Games electric-vehicle program
Australia
Frazer-Nash acted as the exclusive supplier of electric vehicles for the Sydney Olympic Games, providing more than 300 vehicles for police, officials, athletes and equipment transport.
Outcome. The vehicles operated around the Olympic Park during the Games.
- 1998Commonwealth Games electric-vehicle program
Malaysia
Frazer-Nash supplied 120 electric vehicles for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. The vehicles supported event transportation and were also used by Team GB in Commonwealth Park.
Outcome. The vehicles were deployed during the Games as an event-mobility fleet.
Brand decisions
2020
Kamkorp Limited liquidationOtherBackground
The holding company followed its principal research subsidiary into formal insolvency proceedings.
Action taken
Kamkorp Limited was ordered to be wound up in January 2020, with a liquidator appointed in February.
Aftermath
The proceedings mark the effective end of Kamkorp’s historical corporate structure.
2018
Frazer-Nash Research liquidationOtherBackground
Frazer-Nash Research was the principal engineering company and technical center of the Kamkorp group.
Action taken
A court ordered Frazer-Nash Research Limited to be wound up, and a liquidator was appointed later in the year.
Aftermath
The liquidation substantially disrupted the group’s engineering and product-development structure.
2016
Bristol Bullet prototype unveiledProduct launchBackground
Following the acquisition of Bristol Cars assets, the group sought to revive the marque with a new specialist sports car.
Action taken
The Bristol Bullet was publicly unveiled on 26 July 2016.
Aftermath
Production had been expected to start in 2017, but the vehicle remained a prototype.
2011
Acquisition of Bristol Cars assetsM&ABackground
The group expanded from electric transportation engineering into the luxury and specialist-car sector.
Action taken
Kamkorp acquired the assets of the former Bristol Cars Limited and Bristol Cars Services Limited.
Aftermath
The Bristol marque was used for development of the Bullet sports-car prototype, which was unveiled in 2016 but did not enter the planned 2017 production phase.
2004
Acquisition of the Metrocab brandM&ABackground
Kamkorp-related company Ecotive sought to extend the group’s electric-powertrain work into urban taxi transport.
Action taken
Ecotive acquired the Metrocab brand and collaborated with Frazer-Nash Research on a range-extended electric taxi.
Aftermath
A London trial fleet was later deployed, but the proposed transition to larger-scale production did not result in a documented sustained production program.
Recent events
- 2021
Ecotive files for voluntary liquidation[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Ecotive Limited, the Kamkorp-related company associated with the Metrocab brand, filed for voluntary liquidation on 29 November 2021.
- 2020
Kamkorp Limited ordered to be wound up[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Kamkorp Limited was ordered by a court to be wound up in January 2020, followed by the appointment of a liquidator in February.
- 2018
Frazer-Nash Research ordered to be wound up[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Frazer-Nash Research Limited, the principal research and development company associated with Kamkorp, was ordered by a court to be wound up in July 2018.
- 2018
Liquidator appointed for Frazer-Nash Research[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
A liquidator was appointed in November 2018 to administer the liquidation of Frazer-Nash Research Limited.
Sources1 sources
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