Local

Lordstown Motors says it’s on track to begin Endurance production

By Mahoning Matters staff and Jeremy Harper
Lordstown Motors’ new all-electric Endurance pickup truck was unveiled Thursday at the Lordstown plant. (William D. Lewis | Mahoning Matters)
Lordstown Motors’ new all-electric Endurance pickup truck was unveiled Thursday at the Lordstown plant. (William D. Lewis | Mahoning Matters)

LORDSTOWN — Lordstown Motors Corp. has announced another round of commercial, operational and strategic development updates as it remains on track to begin production of the Lordstown Endurance.

"We are hard at work in the factory preparing to begin beta builds in the coming weeks," Steve Burns, CEO of Lordstown Motors, said in a news release. "With this step on the horizon, we remain on track to meet our September start-of-production timeline while continuing to see indicators of strong demand for an all-wheel-drive, full-size electric pickup truck with 250 miles of range from commercial, government and military fleets."

Developments:

  • Lordstown Motors has initiated the metal stamping and welding for the first 57 beta prototypes of the Endurance and expects to complete the first beta vehicles on schedule in March. The beta series prototypes will be used for crash, engineering and validation testing. The company also expects that some of these vehicles may be sent to some initial customers for their feedback.
  • Lordstown Motors has added to its long-term battery cell supply chain, recently signing a multiyear supplier agreement with LG Energy Solution, a global leader in battery cell technology.
  • Evaluation of the first Camping World/Lordstown Endurance Service Centers continues. In addition to Lordstown Motors-owned service centers, such as the newly opened facility in Irvine, Calif., the company is continuing its review of plans to utilize Camping World's extensive footprint and service expertise to ensure nationwide service coverage for all Lordstown vehicles.
  • Lordstown Motors' electric van is in development, with plans to be unveiled in June and production to start in the second half of 2022. Based on the Endurance platform, the van will utilize hub motors to achieve all-wheel drive and low ground clearance.
  • Lordstown Motors has been added to the United States General Services Administration listing, the first step toward being able to sell to government fleets. With this step complete, the company has started its outreach to state and local government entities, including the U.S. military.
  • Construction continues on an 800,000-square-foot propulsion renovation at Lordstown Motors' 6.2 million-square-foot headquarters. Completion of the first stage of the previously announced facility, which will house production lines for advanced battery packs and hub motors, is expected in time for the planned start of production of the Endurance in 2021. When completed, Lordstown Motors expects the facility to be one of the largest of its kind in the United States.

This story was originally published January 28, 2021 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Lordstown Motors says it’s on track to begin Endurance production."