ECD Automotive Design (ECDA) 17th Annual LD Micro Main Event Conference summary

Business overview and product strategy

• Specializes in one-of-one luxury restored classic vehicles, including Defenders, Range Rover Classics, Jaguar E-Types, FJ Land Cruisers, and classic Ford Mustangs, each fully customized by the client through an immersive design process.

• Clients own the intellectual property of their vehicles; each build takes 2,200 hours and is handcrafted by a team of 100 technicians in Orlando, with an average price of $330,000 per vehicle.

• Focuses on customer-centric design, unlimited customization, and high mechanic retention (95%), double the industry average.

• All aspects of production are completed in-house for quality and cost control, leading to a Nasdaq listing after a decade of private growth.

Financial performance and growth

• Grew from a $150,000 initial investment to $100 million in revenue over 10 years, building 651 vehicles with a 17% CAGR and gross margins above 30%.

• Every build in the backlog is a contractual sale, aiding forecasting and production planning.

• Average vehicle price is $333,000, with $83,000 in upgrades per vehicle at a minimum 65% gross margin.

• Factory in Kissimmee, FL, built and funded with free cash flow, currently operating at 50% capacity with $33 million revenue guidance for the year.

Expansion and operational strategy

• Opened a UK logistics center to control sourcing and supply chain, especially for British classic cars.

• Uses a royalty model to partner with mom-and-pop restoration shops, filling 20% of 2025 production capacity and reducing acquisition risk.

• Plans to open 3-4 boutique retail locations in key US markets, aiming for a nine-month payback per location and to fill factory capacity with just 60 additional units per year.

• Retail strategy includes building a small inventory for immediate sale, custom orders, and recycling used inventory.