Monday, March 22, 2021

SEC Launches Investigation Into EV Maker Lordstown Motors

[Auto Styling News]


The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked Lordstown Motors for more details about claims that the EV start-up deceived financiers about its development to date. 

Lordstown Motors, which is backed by General Motors, stated last Wednesday that it is complying with the investigation and its board of directors has created a special  committee to evaluate the claims.

The claims came last Friday from short-selling company Hindenburg Research study, which divulged in addition to the report that it had taken a brief position in Lordstown Motors. 

The company formerly launched a report about hydrogen trucking start-up Nikola that likewise caused probes from the SEC and the Department of Justice.

Hindenburg declared in the report that a few of the EV start-up’s largest preorders were made by business that do not appear to actually have the cash needed to acquire huge batches of Lordstown Motors’ electrical pickup, each of which will begin at around $50,000. 

In January, this blog reported that the company had claimed to have received more than 100,000 non-binding production reservations from commercial fleets for its forthcoming Endurance all-electric pickup truck

Hindenburg asserts that Lordstown Motors deceived the general public, financiers, and the federal government about the development it has made up until now on its first model.

More details here.





___________________________________
Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.

Monday, March 15, 2021

#Canoo EV Manufacturer Introduces Pickup Truck

[Auto Styling News]


Electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo (Nasdaq: GOEV), has debuted its fully-electric pickup truck during the Motor Press Guild’s Virtual Media Day. 

The production version of the pickup will open for pre-orders in the second quarter of 2022, with deliveries beginning in 2023.

“We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives,” said Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman, Canoo. “Our pickup truck is as strong as the toughest trucks out there and is designed to be exponentially more productive. This truck works for you. We made accessories for people who use trucks – on the job, weekends, adventure. You name it, we did it because it’s your platform and she’s bad to the bone.

Canoo’s pickup truck was built with several unique features to help customers do more with their vehicles:

Pull-out Bed Extension: The pickup truck bed is six feet long and can extend to a fully enclosed eight feet, allowing big items such as a 4 by 8 ft sheet of plywood to easily fit inside. The pull-handle bed extension also helps with loading and unloading the truck. The extension also serves as a license plate holder. When the bed is extended, a second layer of tailgate doors can be swiveled out. The bed extension also houses a secondary lamp, containing all tail lamp functions, so the truck can be driven while the bed space is maximized.

Fold Down Worktable + Cargo Storage: To offer the greatest customer utility, the pickup features a front cargo storage area that can hold tools or gear, also includes a fold down worktable with electrical outlets. The workstation table is extendable to allow customers to have maximized work surface on the go, in addition to providing an area to put on gear before heading out exploring.

Flip-Down Side Tables: Both sides of the vehicle house a flip down table in two expandable depths. Built into the side panel of the truck bed, the flip-down side table becomes a workbench with multi-functional power sources in close proximity.

Side Step + Storage: On the side of the vehicle there is a hidden step to allow quick and easy access to the truck bed. Underneath the step is a flexible storage area for items including: a first-aid kit, cooler for snacks and drinks, lockable laptop storage and more. This space efficient feature is only possible due to Canoo’s ultra flat platform.

Modular Bed with Space Dividers: The truck bed is modular with the use of Canoo’s space divider system designed to keep items separate and secure. The bed wall also incorporates modular wheel chocks to secure bikes and configurable tie downs for ladders, large equipment and other materials.

Multi-Accessory Charge Port: The pickup truck can double as a powerplant with exportable power accessible on all sides of the vehicle. Power can last all day for tools and devices, which only has a 10% impact on vehicle range.

Integrated Overhead + Bed Perimeter Lighting: The third break light doubles as an overhead light to see inside the cargo bed at night. The vehicle is also equipped with perimeter lighting on all sides of the bed wall for added visibility.

Roof Rack: The pickup truck has optional roof racks in variable sizes for added cargo storage. The roof rack is easily accessible from the flatbed or via the sidestep.

Camper Shell: The pickup truck has been designed to accommodate a variety of camper shells to fit as many uses as possible.

The pickup truck is the third vehicle that will be based on the company’s proprietary multipurpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. 

Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible. 

Traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers and mechanical steering columns that protrude into the vehicle and take up space. By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, Canoo’s thin platform ("skateboard") with no need for an engine compartment, allows the company to offer a flatbed size comparable to America’s bestselling pickup truck on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to maneuver and more convenient to drive and park in any terrain.

Canoo designed its pickup truck to be the most cab-forward and space efficient on the market, with massive cargo capacity on the smallest footprint possible. Thanks to the flexible platform and steer-by-wire, the passenger compartment was able to be shifted forward to maximize driver visibility. Canoo’s designers gave the pickup added stance and durability with increased wheel spats to support larger wheels, which provides improved stability and gives it a rugged profile. Advanced lighting technology provides adaptive safety, and the company’s iconic signature headlights and taillights serve as core brand identifiers without the need for a logo. Beyond just storage, the front surface of the vehicle has been extended to better protect the headlights and windscreen.

The bumpers are designed for maximum functionality and durability with integrated tow hooks and metal skid plates on both the front and rear. The vehicle's fog lamps are also integrated seamlessly into the bumper design to offer the driver additional visibility and safety. Lined with trim and materials selected for durability, the extended cab vehicle has two seats in the front with a customizable rear compartment that can accommodate two additional seats or support additional purpose-built use-case configurability.

___________________________________
Auto Styling News is a blog that covers car concepts, newly released models, and the auto industry.