- Manufacturing Capability to Produce 50,000 Vehicles Per Year
- Mullen’s Cash on Hand and Funding Commitment of up to $240 Million Provides the Company With Access of up to $275 Million to Close Acquisition and Fund Vehicle
BREA, Calif., October 19, 2022– via InvestorWire – Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN) (“Mullen” or the “Company”), an emerging electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer, announces the US Bankruptcy Court approval on Oct. 13th, 2022 of its acquisition of electric vehicle company ELMS’ (Electric Last Mile Solutions) assets in an all-cash purchase. In the Chapter 7 approved transaction, Mullen will acquire ELMS’ manufacturing plant, all inventory, and intellectual property.
Acquisition benefits include:
- The factory in Mishawaka, IN, provides Mullen with the capability to produce up to 50,000 vehicles per year
- Allows acceleration of the path to production and market for Mullen FIVE and Bollinger B1, B2 retail vehicles by 12 plus months
- Commercial Product Platforms to be assembled at Mullen’s Tunica MS. Facility for the Launch of Mullen Class 1 and Class 3 Commercial Delivery vehicles into the Market in 2023.
- The platform and plant acquisition results in a significant reduction of the Company’s previously forecast overall spend
The Mishawaka, IN factory that forms part of the Company’s acquisition previously produced General Motors Hummer H2 SUV and SUT and also subsequently contract manufactured the Mercedes-Benz R-Class vehicle. This makes it the perfect fit for the production of the Mullen and Bollinger portfolio of consumer vehicles. The ELMS asset acquisition and the recent acquisition of the majority ownership of Bollinger Motors give Mullen the ability to integrate Bollinger’s vehicle platforms, B1 and B2, along with Mullen’s FIVE and FIVE RS platforms into an already existing and capable high-volume manufacturing facility. As a result, this will accelerate the launch of the Bollinger B1 and B2 retail vehicles by 12-plus months.
Manufacturing optimization will include moving the Mullen FIVE EV Crossover production to the Mishawaka Factory from the Tunica, MS facility. Mullen FIVE production is planned to begin production in 2024. Tunica will now become the Commercial Manufacturing Center and capitalize to produce all Mullen and Bollinger Class 1 to 6 commercial vehicles.
With the additional Manufacturing capacity, total production volumes are expected to exceed Mullen’s previous business plan projections. The commercial portfolio is expected to increase by over 50% with the addition of the ELMS assets, and the retail portfolio is expected to more than double with the addition of Bollinger vehicles and the manufacturing capacity of Mishawaka.
The Company’s majority ownership acquisition of Bollinger Motors was closed in August 2022 with a combination of stock and cash. The ELMS acquisition will be completed as an all-cash purchase.
Highlights of the Acquisition:
Per the Asset Purchase Agreement, which can be viewed from the Company’s recent public filings, the ELMS Assets purchased by Mullen were as follows:
- all Intellectual Property, including, without limitation, the registered intellectual property specifically listed in the Asset Purchase Agreement
- all inventory including vehicles finished and unfinished, finished goods, part modules component parts, raw materials, tooling, including but not limited to product-specific tooling, all manufacturing data that is required or reasonably helpful for the assembly of the Class 1 Electric commercial delivery vans and Class 3 Commercial Delivery Cab Chassis
- purchase of real property located in Mishawaka, Indiana, together with all buildings, improvements, and fixtures
- all tangible personal property, including equipment, machinery, furniture, supplies, computer hardware, data networks, servers (with data and software), communication equipment, software, discs, and all other data storage media
“Mullen’s acquisition of Bollinger was one of the largest transactions of its kind in the EV market. Upon closing the ELMS transaction, the Company will be in a position to strategically leverage all its acquired assets to shorten its production path and aggressively expand into the commercial and consumer EV market,” said David Michery, CEO and chairman of Mullen Automotive.
About Mullen:
Mullen Automotive is a Southern California-based automotive company building the next-generation of premium electric vehicles (EVs) that are affordable and built entirely in the United States. With an end-to-end ecosystem that supports owners from test driving to financing and servicing through a unique hybrid dealership model, customers are supported through every aspect of EV ownership. The Mullen FIVE, the company’s first electric crossover, is slated for delivery in 2024 and features an award-winning design and its patented PERSONA technology that utilizes facial recognition to personalize the driving experience for every individual. To learn more about the company, visit www.MullenUSA.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue," "will," "may," "could," "should," "expect," "expected," "plans," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Mullen and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to whether the closing of the ELMS acquisition will occur and if so, be beneficial to the Company; whether the anticipated manufacturing capability to produce 50,000 vehicles per year will prove reliable; whether Mullen’s cash availability will be sufficient for closing and funding of vehicle launches; whether the platform and plant acquisition will result in the anticipated reduction of the Company’s previously forecast spend; whether utilizing the manufacturing facility in Mishawaka, IN will result in accelerating development of the Bollinger B1, B2 retail vehicles by 12 plus months, or at all; whether the anticipated manufacturing optimization and forecast total Mullen and Bollinger vehicle production volumes detailed in this Press Release will materialize; whether the production of the Mullen FIVE will commence in 2024; whether the ELMS acquisition will be completed as an all-cash purchase; whether the Company’s cash on hand and other funding commitments will realize sufficient proceeds to accomplish closing the acquisition and/or the funding of vehicle launches; and whether the Company will be successful with its efforts to lever all its acquired assets to shorten its production path and expand into the commercial and consumer EV markets. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: (i) Mullen’s ability (or inability) to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms when needed; (ii) Mullen's ability to maintain existing, and secure additional, contracts with manufacturers, parts and other service providers relating to its business; (iii) Mullen’s ability to successfully expand in existing markets and enter new markets; (iv) Mullen’s ability to successfully manage and integrate any acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (v) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (vi) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vii) adverse effects of increased competition on Mullen’s business; (viii) changes in government licensing and regulation that may adversely affect Mullen’s business; (ix) the risk that changes in consumer behavior could adversely affect Mullen’s business; (x) Mullen’s ability to protect its intellectual property; and (xi) local, industry and general business and economic conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Mullen with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mullen anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Mullen assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Mullen’s plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.
Contact:
Mullen Automotive, Inc.
+1 (714) 613-1900
www.MullenUSA.com