General Motors has turned to German parts supplier Kuka AG to start building the all-electric EV600 commercial van.
The EV600 was announced in January alongside the formation of GM’s new BrightDrop business, which is designed to offer various electric “first-to-last-mile products.” GM has inked a supply contract with FedEx for the EV600 and Kuka will build the first units to ensure it stays on track with its schedule to begin deliveries this year.
“We are working alongside Kuka for initial low-volume production to keep up with market demand and remain on track to deliver our first EV600 order later this year,” BrightDrop chief executive Travis Katz confirmed.
Read More: GM’s New BrightDrop Unit Eyes Delivery Companies With EV600 Electric Van
Auto News understands that Kuka will build fewer than 500 examples of the EV600 at its plant in Livonia, Michigan starting in late October. The van will ultimately be built at GM’s CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario with production scheduled to commence in November 2022 after production of the Equinox ends at the plant in April 2022. GM will then ramp up the site to two shifts in 2023 and three shifts in 2024.
“It is unusual,” vice president of global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions Sam Fiorani said of Kuka building the first units. “However, they don’t have the plant (in Canada) ready because they’re still building Equinoxes.”
General Motors is investing $800 million into the Canadian plant for the van’s production and has previously committed to delivering the first 500 examples to FedEx by the end of the year. The van uses GM’s Ultium battery system and will have a 250 mile (402 km) range.
