Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is probably best known in the transportation space for his airlines, such as Virgin America Inc VA 1.75%. However, Branson’s Virgin brand has also dipped its toes into the businesses of trains, spacecraft and cruise ships.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Branson simply couldn’t resist hinting that Virgin could soon be entering the electric automobile space.
Formula E Race
Bloomberg spoke to Branson while he was in his Virgin Racing team’s garage for the recent Formula E electric car race in Miami. The race consists of electric race cars that are capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds.
Taking on Elon Musk Again?
Branson is known for being a speed junkie, but Bloomberg asked Branson a very obvious question: “Where is Virgin going with this?”
Branson answered, “We have teams of people working on electric cars, so you never know—you may find Virgin competing with the Tesla in the car business as we do in the space business. We will see what happens.”
Branson’s Virgin Galactic commercial spaceflight company already competes directly with Tesla Motors Inc TSLA 2.84% CEO Elon Musk’s SpaceX commercial spaceflight company.
Unconventional Auto Companies
Virgin isn’t the only unconventional potential new member of the auto industry.
Apple Inc. AAPL 0.8% is reportedly secretly working on an electric car project. Google Inc GOOG 1.23% GOOGL 1.08% is also in the process of developing a self-driving electric car.
King Of The Hill
While Branson has never been one to shy away from a challenge, he conceded that Tesla is the current standard-bearer in the electric car business.
“Tesla is as sexy as any other car on the road,” Branson admitted.
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