American electric vehicle startup Canoo is making its entry into the UK market, establishing Canoo Technologies UK Limited at Bicester Motion, a site well-acquainted with innovative vehicle technologies. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy, according to CEO Tony Aquila.
Bicester Motion has been selected as the location for Canoo’s ‘Activation Center,’ a facility previously associated with Arrival, another EV manufacturer that declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Canoo acquired Arrival’s production equipment during its liquidation process and has repurposed it for use in its Oklahoma production facilities.
Canoo’s current production lineup includes the Lifestyle Vehicle (LV) and its cargo variant, the Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle (LDV), both of which are manufactured at its plant in Oklahoma. This facility was acquired in late 2022, and the company also operates a battery module assembly plant in Pryor, approximately 240 kilometers north of its main production site.
In the US, Canoo has reported a robust order book, including a notable contract with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for six units of its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle 190 (LD 190), which were successfully delivered in the first quarter of the year. However, the company has faced scrutiny and controversy, particularly concerning its expenditures. According to its 2023 annual earnings report, Canoo reportedly spent double its annual revenue on CEO Tony Aquila’s private jet.
As Canoo embarks on its UK venture, it aims to leverage its established presence and unique offerings in the electric vehicle market to gain traction in a competitive landscape.
