Canoo unveiled their electric van nearly two years ago and now the company has announced their production plans.
The big news is Canoo will establish a “Mega Microfactory” at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma.
The company’s 400 acre campus will include a paint and body shop as well as a general assembly plant and a “low-volume industrialization facility.” The complex is slated to open in 2023 and it promises to create more than 2,000 jobs.
Also Read: Canoo’s New Pickup Truck Is An Electric Forward Control Vehicle For The Modern Era
CEO Tony Aquila said the company ran a multi-state competition for the plant and “Oklahoma was head and shoulders above the other contenders because of its leadership, energy forward initiatives, strategic location and the hardworking ethic of its people.” The executive went on to say, “Our investment in this manufacturing and technology center means we will deliver vehicles faster at scale – and fulfill our mission to bring affordable, purpose-built EVs to Everyone.”
Besides announcing the Oklahoma plant, Canoo revealed they will be using the Netherlands’ VDL Nedcar as their Phase 1 contract manufacturing partner. This should enable the company to start production and vehicle delivery in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Canoo said VDL Nedcar is slated to build up to 1,000 units for the U.S. and European markets in 2022 and that number could climb to 15,000 units in 2023. The facility will build the $34,750 electric van, known as the Lifestyle Vehicle, and the company said they are entering the “GAMMA phase of development and is on track for start of production.”
VDL Nedcar is best known for producing MINIs, but the company has also made vehicles for Mitsubishi, Smart and Volvo. Canoo noted the strategic partnership “strongly positions us for geographic expansion in Europe” and will enable them to deliver vehicles while work continues on the Oklahoma plant.
