Founded as a collaboration between British car makers Erin and Bonham, Enactor are one of the premier premium and luxury off-road marques in the world today. Combining exceptional comfort and supremely high build quality with incredibly capable off-road dynamics, Enactor have redefined the expectations of high-end SUVs over the past 20 years.
The company is most famous for making the Estate Roamer, which has gained precedence right across the world as one of the most soughtt-after luxury vehicles. The company has also branched out into midsize SUVs to expand their sales, as well as their sharing platforms with Bonham for their own SUVs.
While originally founded by Erin and Bonham, both companies have reduced their shares of the company to allow it to act more indepently. Both companies continue to supply engines and engineering expertise to the marque.
Founded: 1st November 1994
Headquarters + Factory: Curdworth, Birmingham, UK
Output (2017): ~100,000 units
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Enactor finds its origins in the Erin-Saminda partnership of the 1980s, whereby the two companies collaborate to sell badge-engineered cars in markets around the world. As part of the partnership, plans are drawn up for a large SUV platform in the late 80s.
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Meanwhile, Saminda’s focus turns towards their launch of the US luxury brand Auxuras.
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The joint venture becomes unprofitable in 1990. Erin start to move away from close partnership but agree to continue manufacturing the joint venture cars. However, they are no longer as keen to any new jointly-develop cars
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In the months before the launch of Auxuras, Erin suggest Saminda should consider using SUV designs for a new car for the brand as Erin aren’t that interested. Saminda don’t show any interest either, leading to Erin pulling the plans and ending any prospect for a new Erin-Saminda car.
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Saminda moves on to focus on Auxuras launch, which begins sales on 26th November 1992. Word of the failed SUV project gets to Bonham, who take an interest and start up talks with Erin.
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Deal brokered during 1993: Bonham and Erin will found a new company to make new SUV, the first version of which will be based on these plans. Both companies will supply engines to this new manufacturer. Bonham’s expertise in luxury vehicles will be used to aid the luxury aspect of the new car, whilst Erin works on developing the drivetrain, utilising its AllDrive AWD system used on its own models.
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Headquarters, factory and other facilities set up in Curdworth, Birmingham. It sits roughtly halfway between Bonham’s factory in Redditch and Erin’s main factory in Nottingham, as well as being in the British industrial heartland.
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The plans are modernised and the car is developed over next few years at facility. Staff led by engineers from the Saminda-Erin project, as they have the best expertise for the plans, whilst also drawing on a new design team to work at the company longer term.
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At the Genava International Motor Show in 1997, Enactor makes its debut with the Estate Roamer, set for launch in 1998.
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One year later, in May 1998, the first generation Enactor Estate Roamer begins production.
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Erin and Bonham gradually begin to give the company more independence. Bonham uses the platforms the company develops for its own luxury SUV range.
