Factory Five 818 Recognized by President Obama, Maker Faire 2014!

The accolades keep coming for the Factory Five 818!  Simon Hauger and his kids from West Philly High School displayed their school-built Factory Five at The White House this past Wednesday as part of an event sponsored by President Obama’s administration entitled “Maker Faire” highlighting DIY and modern technology that enables small companies, individuals, and enthusiasts to design and build exciting products.

The event was covered extensively on The White House website and in The Wall Street Journal.  The Wall Street Journal picked the Factory Five 818 (which they called “A Magic Car”) as #2 on their “The Six Wonders of Obama’s ‘Maker Faire’ Tour”.  Simon’s team is also profiled in The Philadelphia Inquirer.  Click here to read the story.

westphilly1
The entire West Philly High School tech team and the car they built.

westphilly-whitehouse-2
The 818 parked just steps from The Oval Office!  Photo Courtesy of The White House Press Department.

west-philly
Simon and his students participate in the Maker Faire, Wednesday June 18, 2014.

west-philly-818
Factory Five Racing sponsors West Philly High School’s EVX Program.  This hybrid 818 has been measures to produce 98 MPG and will compete in next year’s Green Grand Prix.  The team from West Philly has previously won the Green Grand Prix with a hybrid-powered GTM, and Simon promises that this car will do even better!

west-philly-simon
Simon in the driver’s seat of the 98 MPG Factory Five 818.


Here’s the video of President Obama recognizes the students from West Philly High School and the car that they built.

simon-and-president
Simon Hauger meets President Obama in front of the 818 that his students built.  Photo courtesy The Wall Street Journal.

Check out even more photos of the West Philly High School 818 here.

Latest Factory Five News

Doug S. Graduates 30th Anniversary Mk5 #01!

2025 was a milestone year for Factory Five as we celebrated our 30th Anniversary (1995-2025)! To mark the occasion, we put together special edition kits for our Mk5 Roadster and Type 65 Coupe. We are excited to share the news that Doug S. from Southlake, TX has graduated 30th Anniversary Mk5 kit which was also #1 of 30! Below is Doug’s story about his Mk5 build, and how much it means to his family. “I am writing to share the completion of our Factory Five build and to thank you and the entire Factory Five team for creating something far… Read More »

Read More

Five Deals from the Factory Five Guys!

2026 is off to a great start, and the team wants to keep the momentum going! They have put together a sale for all of our kits to help you build your car your way this year. Score a Free IRS Upgrade OR Save $2,026 Off Options on Mk5 Roadsters, Mk4 Roadsters, Type 65 Coupe, and ’33 Hot Rod To ensure your finest ride is possible, we are offering FREE IRS Upgrades (up to $3,199 in value). Our Independent Rear Suspension is the best suspension configuration Factory Five has to offer. This upgrade package includes: OR you can save $2,026… Read More »

Read More

Bill B. Shares an Update on His Mk5 Build

Every build has a story—but some take a lifetime to begin. After decades as a technician, engineer, and business owner—building companies, leading teams, and designing critical communications systems across New England—I decided at 50 to return to where it all started: a passion for cars. That decision became Blue Hills Customs. This MK5 Roadster is more than a project—it’s the first expression of a vision to create ultra-premium, one-off roadsters that blend classic design with modern performance and reliability. Factory Five Racing provided the perfect canvas. The MK5 isn’t just a kit—it’s a foundation that allows builders to bring something truly… Read More »

Read More
Top