Electric vehicle start-up Canoo has officially commenced deliveries of its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles (LDV) produced at the newly established manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City. The inaugural batch of Oklahoma-made electric vehicles was handed over to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) in the state.
In a press release, Canoo highlighted this milestone as the initiation of its phased-ramp manufacturing in Oklahoma, signifying the beginning of LDV deliveries to key customers and partners in 2023. While specific details regarding the number of LDV vans delivered to OMES and the projected delivery volume for the year were not disclosed, Canoo indicated plans for an increase in units in the coming year. The company is actively recruiting for positions at its Oklahoma City (vehicle assembly) and Pryor (battery module assembly) facilities, with expectations of creating over 1,300 jobs following a $320 million investment.
The Canoo LDV, built on the Multi-Purpose Platform (MPP), is available in both passenger and cargo van configurations. Canoo had previously announced an extended variant, the LDV 190, boasting a larger cargo area of 172 cubic feet due to its elongated body. It remains unclear whether production of the LDV 190 has commenced.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt expressed pride in the state’s role in this historic moment, citing Canoo’s return to vehicle manufacturing as a testament to Oklahoma’s appeal for cutting-edge businesses and job creation. The LDV marks the first commercial motor vehicle produced in Oklahoma since 2006.
Canoo recently unveiled the American Bulldog, an electric pickup derived from the Screaming Eagle, delivered to the U.S. Army for testing in 2022. However, specific details regarding specifications, production, and delivery estimates for the American Bulldog were not provided.
Earlier this year, Canoo finalized incentive agreements with the state of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation, totaling up to $113 million over 10 years. These incentives are contingent on Canoo meeting predetermined job creation and investment targets. In a recent development, Canoo entered into a stock purchase agreement with a foreign strategic institutional investor, involving an initial investment of $45 million, with discussions underway for additional investments totaling up to $150 million.
