As it continues to find a solution to the problem that led to the shutdown and voluntary recall of its Endurance full-size electric truck in February, Lordstown Motors has announced a next-generation platform and vehicle program.
Lordstown said Monday it is working with contract manufacturer Foxconn to develop the platform and a new utility vehicle. The Ohio-based EV startup has called the platform and vehicle “key” to its long-term business strategy and said they are increasingly a “big part” of its focus.
The announcement comes as Lordstown doubts it can “continue as a going concern” unless it gets “significantly more” capital to develop its next electric vehicle. Mass production of the Endurance truck will also require more money beyond the already planned 500 units.
The platform for the new vehicle is planned to be derived from Foxconn’s modular electric platform known as MIH, which was first introduced in 2020. According to Lordstown, the new vehicle will likely source components and subsystems from Foxconn and other suppliers related to the MIH platform.
Foxconn, although best known as the maker of Apple’s iPhones, has moved into automotive development and manufacturing in recent years. It also launched its own electric car brand, Foxtron, and last year introduced a few models for the brand, including a mid-size electric truck, the Model Vt.
Foxtron Model V
“Our asset-light business model and partnership with the Foxconn EV ecosystem, including MIH, gives Lordstown Motors the opportunity to create winning electric vehicles that meet the needs of customers in a variety of work applications while enjoying cost benefits. grand,” said Lordstown CEO Edward Hightower.
The timing of the new vehicle was not mentioned in Monday’s announcement. However, Lordstown confirmed that production will take place at the Ohio plant, which the company bought from General Motors in 2019 and sold to Foxconn in 2021. It was at this plant that Foxconn built the first few examples of the Endurance under contract before production was halted after electrical problems were discovered with some of the completed trucks.
In its announcement, Lordstown said it was “looking forward to resolving the issue” and expected to provide information in the coming weeks on when production and deliveries of the Endurance would resume. Lordstown said 40 Endurance trucks had been built by February of a planned initial 500 trucks, six of which had been sold.
