Lordstown Motors begins delivering Foxconn-manufactured Endurance electric pickup trucks marking a milestone in the company’s history.
Lordstown Motors, which has been in financial troubles, said Tuesday that its full-size Endurance electric pickup truck received full homologation with certification from the EPA and CARB which gives the company the green light to begin deliveries to customers.
Production of the Endurance electric pickup truck is carried out by Foxconn as a contract manufacturer. The first batch of 500 Endurance electric pickups is on its way to fleet customers, according to the company.
“I am very proud of the Lordstown Motors and Foxconn EV Ohio team for their hard work, grit, and tenacity in achieving this milestone. We are very excited to start delivering vehicles to our commercial fleet customers. The EnduranceTM will provide benefits to customers that use their vehicles for work. It optimizes key attributes of traction and maneuverability – with our in-wheel hub motors, safety – with our five-star crash performance, and value in the segment.” said Lordstown CEO Edward Hightower
Workhorse Group founder and former CEO Steve Burns started Lordstown Motors in 2018. The startup drew public attention when it signed a deal with GM to buy the long-running automaker’s soon-to-close plant in Lordstown, Ohio. GM invests $75 million into Lordstown.
However, a series of problems have set the company back, as many have wondered whether the company will ever deliver a single vehicle.
As of the summer of 2021, Burns and CFO Julio Rodriguez have resigned, the company warns that it is running low on capital.
Foxconn, best known for making Apple’s iPhone, came to the rescue by buying the Lordstown factory for $230 million.
In October, Lordstown started production of the Endurance electric pickup truck with Foxconn under a joint venture contract.
Foxconn increased its investment in Lordstown Motors in November 2022 by purchasing $170 million of common stock. Foxconn holds all of Lordstown’s outstanding preferred stock and 18.3% of the common stock on a pro forma basis.
