Update, February 15, 2023, 14:18: Harbinger Motors asked that their statement be modified from the original one made to Carscoops.com on February 14. The text has been updated to reflect that change.
Late last year, EV manufacturer Canoo technologies, filed a complaint against a startup called Harbinger Motors, accusing it of stealing trade secrets. Now, California-based Harbinger has filed a motion to dismiss the complaint against it.
“Harbinger Motors has submitted a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Canoo that denies any wrongdoing and details multiple ways in which Canoo’s allegations are plainly mistaken and fall short of legal standards,” a Harbinger spokesperson said. “Harbinger points out the complaint is rife with false and misleading statements and accusations. Despite multiple unanswered attempts to open a constructive dialogue with Canoo and alleviate its concerns so that both parties could be spared unnecessary litigation, Harbinger is taking action to move forward and focus on its mission to electrify the commercial vehicle industry.”
Harbinger Motors announced its creation to the world in September 2023 and is looking to make electric vehicles for commercial fleets like delivery companies. Founded by a veritable who’s who of EV industry experts who include former Faraday Future, QuantumScape, and, most relevantly, Canoo executives among its founders.
More: Canoo Accuses Former Execs Of Stealing Trade Secrets To Form New EV Company
Among its high ranking executives, Harbinger Motors counts Michael Fielkow, who was Canoo’s former vice president of corporate legal, securities, and global strategies; Phillip Weicker, Canoo’s head of powertrain and electronics, and one of its co-founders; William Eberts, a program manager for battery, powertrain, and power electronics at Canoo; and Alexi Charbonneau, Canoo’s former head of Skateboard and Cabin.
Also one of Canoo’s co-founders, Charbonneau’s contributions in particular are relevant in this case, because the company has accused Harbinger Motors of stealing its skateboard electric vehicle architecture, among other EV technologies, for its own vehicles—an accusation that the startup flatly rejects. Canoo, though, remains adamant that it has been wronged.
“Canoo remains confident of its allegations and claims against Harbinger (and all Defendants), a company founded by former employees from Canoo using technology stolen from Canoo,” a Canoo spokesperson told Carscoops. “Harbinger’s motion to dismiss is merely a distraction to avoid scrutiny on the merits of Canoo’s claims.”
Harbinger Motors has filed its motion to dismiss Canoo’s complaint with prejudice in U.S. District Court in California.
