Tell us about the history of your brand...
Nick English: MOKE began life as an extraordinary experiment – a lightweight military vehicle commissioned by the British Military to BMC in 1959. Sir Alec Issigonis, the brilliant mind behind the Mini, created 'The Buckboard' – a stripped-back vehicle designed to be parachuted into combat zones. This unique brief gave birth to MOKE's distinctive design: no roof, no doors, just pure functionality.
While the military ultimately passed on the design due to its low ground clearance, this 'failure' led to something far more remarkable. When commercialised in 1964 as the Mini MOKE, it captured the imagination of the 1960s zeitgeist. The vehicle became a symbol of coastal elegance and freedom, cherished by cultural icons from The Beatles to Brigitte Bardot.
In 2015, MOKE International acquired the assets and IP of the original MOKE business, which was a pivotal moment that allowed us to protect and advance this remarkable lineage. Recognising that MOKE's true calling was always leisure rather than utility, we made the bold decision to go fully electric in 2022. Today, we're proud to continue MOKE's legacy through our electric vehicles that unite timeless design with modern environmental consciousness.
What is your brand best known for?
MOKE is synonymous with refined leisure and coastal sophistication. While many might recognise us from our appearances in four James Bond films, or remember spotting our vehicles cruising through St. Barths, what truly defines us is our ability to create moments of joy.
We're known, of course, as the car with no roof or doors – but that's just the beginning of our story. MOKE represents a particular way of life that values experiences over mere transportation. Whether you're winding along the Côte d'Azur or exploring a private Caribbean island, a MOKE transforms every journey into an event. We've become the vehicle of choice at the world's most exclusive destinations because we offer something unique: the perfect blend of British excellence, environmental responsibility, and pure, unadulterated fun.
A MOKE is a beautifully engineered lifestyle accessory you don’t actually need – you just desperately want one!
What has been a significant achievement in your company's timeline?
2022 marked a defining moment for us. We became the first legacy automotive brand to embrace full electrification, a decision that perfectly aligned with our vision for responsible innovation. Perhaps even more significantly, we achieved both US and European highway certification. This might sound technical, but it represented an extraordinary achievement for a boutique British manufacturer. The certification process demanded meticulous engineering, extensive crash testing, and countless hours of road testing. It was a testament to our team's dedication and proved that an independent British marque could compete with global automotive giants while maintaining our bespoke approach.
Why do you love the brand?
I'll never forget my first MOKE experience. It was during a sweltering summer day in the South of France, 1989. I borrowed a friend's classic MOKE for a coastal drive, and within minutes, I understood what made these vehicles so special. The sun overhead, the sea breeze, and that distinctive dashboard – it wasn't just driving, it was pure theatre. I found myself grinning like a schoolboy, and that feeling has never left me. The magic of a MOKE is that it transforms every journey into an adventure, every errand into an occasion. Working with this brand daily isn't just a job, it's the privilege of being part of something that brings genuine joy to people's lives.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British distinction?
MOKE embodies a uniquely British approach to excellence – one that unites tradition with innovation, artisanal skill with environmental consciousness. While we're proud to be a net exporter, we're even prouder that each MOKE is meticulously assembled in our own facility in Leamington Spa by a remarkable blend of talent, using a predominantly British supply chain. Our small team of 30 represents the pinnacle of British manufacturing expertise – small enough to maintain exceptional quality control, yet agile enough to innovate.
What sets us apart is our authenticity. We're not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, we focus on doing one thing exceptionally well: creating vehicles that deliver joy through impeccable design and responsible craftsmanship. This focused approach to excellence, combined with our dedication to British manufacturing, makes MOKE a true exemplar of contemporary British distinction.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
I have experienced Walpole's value first-hand through Bremont, the watch company my brother Giles and I founded that was one of the first Brand’s of Tomorrow back in 2007. So, joining the community with MOKE was a natural progression. Walpole champions everything we believe in: the preservation of British excellence, the advancement of responsible innovation, and the power of bringing together brands that share these values. As we continue to evolve MOKE for the future while honouring its legacy, being part of this community of British pioneers feels absolutely right. Giles and myself are also members of Walpole through the very beautiful pen brand, Yard-O-Led, which makes exquisite, hand-crafted sterling silver writing instruments at its workshop in the jewellery quarter of Birmingham.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member?
The brilliance of Walpole lies in the extraordinary diversity of its members, each representing different facets of British excellence. We'd be particularly excited to collaborate with fellow members who share our vision for responsible innovation and refined craftsmanship, but with an international outlook. Whether it's creating bespoke interiors with a distinguished textile manufacturer or partnering with a prestigious hotel group for exclusive guest experiences, the possibilities are endless. This spirit of collaboration is what makes British manufacturing so dynamic and there are so many wonderful stories to be told.
Tell us about an exciting development...
We're entering an extraordinary phase at MOKE. There is a tremendous amount of product development going on at the facility in Leamington Spa. We are continually looking at new manufacturing techniques, materials and design refinements. We're also about to unveil a collection of three carefully curated shades that celebrate the natural beauty of coastal, and reflect both our provenance and our future vision. Each finish will be expertly applied in our new facility, maintaining our dedication to British expertise.
Even more significantly, we are soon to reveal our new facility and ramp up production. This expansion represents more than just increased capacity, it's a statement of our dedication to both British and responsible manufacturing. The workspace will incorporate the latest in environmentally conscious practices while providing space for our skilled team to continue their meticulous assembly of each MOKE. It's a perfect example of how we're honouring our roots while building for the future.
> Visit MOKE's Walpole member profile
