EV startup Canoo, based in Torrance, California, has chosen VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands, to build the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle. The build will start with up to 1,000 units for both the European and U.S. markets in 2022, with a target of 15,000 units in 2023.
Canoo says their arrangement with Nedcar will allow them to deliver vehicles to customers while they build a factory in Oklahoma. The deal is a boost for Nedcar, which was told late last year that its contract to make BMW and Mini models at its factory in Born, Netherlands, would end in 2023.
In 2019 Nedcar built 175,000 cars for BMW, down from 210,000 in 2018, a record year, according to the company. The facility currently builds the Mini Countryman, including the plug-in hybrid variant, Mini Cabrio and BMW X1. Nedcar has a long and diversified history; it started in the ’60s as DAF, became Volvo in the ’70s, Volvo/Mitsubishi in 1991, Mitsubishi only in 2001, and VDL in 2012; VDL is a diversified industry group producing car assembly, bus, coach, and finished products and supply.
Nedcar CEO John van Soerland recently told Automotive News Europe that U.S.-based EV startups were showing interest in using the Dutch company’s plant.
Canoo plans to deliver their first units of the Lifestyle Vehicle to customers by the end of 2022, followed by a delivery vehicle and a pickup truck.
“This strategic partnership will enable us to deliver vehicles to market while we build our Phase 2 factory in Oklahoma,” Aquila said in a statement. “It also strongly positions us for geographic expansion in Europe and builds a lasting relationship with VDL Group of companies.”
