Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
September 15, 2021 11:04 AM

Nikola showcases German plant nearing first production of electric trucks

The first battery-powered models will be delivered to customers in the U.S. early next year, with a fuel cell version slated to follow by the end of 2023

Bloomberg
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Nikola Tre battery-electric truck
    Bloomberg

    A Nikola Tre battery-electric heavy-duty truck on the Iveco test track in Ulm.

    Nikola offered the public a look at the production line the company is counting on to start delivering trucks to customers in the wake of its founder being charged with securities fraud.

    The U.S. manufacturer hosted an event Wednesday in Ulm, Germany, where its partner Iveco -- the commercial vehicle unit of CNH Industrial -- is preparing to start series production of Nikola Tre heavy-duty trucks by year-end.

    The first battery-electric models will be delivered to customers in the U.S. early next year, with a fuel cell version slated to follow by the end of 2023.

    Nikola is looking to turn the page on a tumultuous period after it went public by combining with a blank-check company in June of last year.

    Shares of the truckmaker with virtually no revenue initially skyrocketed, briefly making the company worth than Ford Motor.

    The stock came crashing down after a short seller accused founder Trevor Milton of misleading investors.

    Milton stepped down as executive chairman in September and pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in July.

    The company is keen to deliver a message of "focus and execution," CEO Mark Russell said during an interview in Ulm. "In spite of all of the challenges like COVID and supply disruptions, here we are."

    Nikola shares rose as much as 8.8 percent before the start of regular trading and were up 3.6 percenmt to $10.27 as of 7 a.m. in New York. The stock has plunged almost 90 percent from its peak in June 2020.

    Ulm plans

    Russell followed Milton to Nikola from metals manufacturer Worthington Industries, which acquired one of Milton's earlier business ventures.

    Last month, the CEO cut Nikola's projection for initial deliveries this year to 25 to 50 trucks, citing shortages of semiconductors and other parts.

    Although scarce supplies of chips could render the vehicles ineligible for sale, Nikola still plans to deliver them to customers for testing and charge for them once they're retrofitted with missing parts.

    Next year, the Ulm facility will build as many as 100 trucks, with demand "far exceeding capacity," Iveco CEO Gerrit Marx said.

    The plant will eventually be able to make 3,000 trucks annually across three shifts. Nikola plans to open its second site in Coolidge, Arizona, next year to produce fuel cell-powered trucks.

    Nikola and Iveco have invested 40 million euros ($47 million) to upgrade the latter company's chassis engineering hub in Ulm for final assembly of the Tre.

    The heavy-duty truck with a driving range of 560 kilometers (348 miles) is designed for shorter trips such as moving freight within industrial ports or garbage collection. It will be underpinned by an Iveco platform with modules from the manufacturer's factories in Spain.

    Nikola is handling vehicle controls, including driver-facing software, and proprietary technology related to designing the Tre's 4.5-ton battery pack.

    Hamburg deal

    In addition to unveiling their joint venture facility on Wednesday, Iveco and Nikola announced an agreement with the Hamburg Port Authority to test up to 25 battery-electric Tre trucks starting next year.

    Iveco has stood by Nikola while other big-name partners have pulled back.

    General Motors dropped a tentative plan to take a stake in the company and produce an electric pickup called the Badger.

    Their remaining agreement for Nikola to use GM's hydrogen fuel cell technology in its trucks now appears to be in limbo -- Nikola announced earlier this month it will source fuel cell systems from German supplier Robert Bosch.

    "There were enough reasons to stop all of this -- the last 24 months would have equipped us with enough reasons, everybody would have understood," Iveco's Marx said. "But we never even considered it."

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Tesla ads can continue referring to autonomous driving, German court says
    Recommended for You
    Tesla self drive
    Tesla ads can continue referring to autonomous driving, German court says
    jag-main_i.jpg
    Jaguar begins polishing image as an elite lifestyle brand
    VW Tiguan production at company's assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico.
    VW Mexico union to hold new contract vote after workers reject pay deal
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
        • Browse photos from the 2021 awards ceremony
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Battery testing center for large battery packs and more
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us