Nikola HFCEV semi appears belly-up as manufacturing halt rumors swirl

Money-strapped hydrogen truck maker Nikola is dealing with robust instances — and its most up-to-date spherical of layoffs has halted manufacturing of its controversial hydrogen gas cell semi vans as the corporate faces down chapter (once more).

Final week, we obtained a tip from somebody claiming to be a Nikola insider saying that the corporate was planning to halt manufacturing of its hydrogen gas cell-powered semi vans. That tip was adopted shortly by information that Nikola’s inventory had sunk to a 52-week low, and a proper NHTSA criticism claiming the gas cell shuts down unpredictably.

A TSB was issued by the truck maker that appeared to deal with the problems outlined, and the belief was that the unconfirmed tip was associated to the TSB.

For the uninitiated, a TSB is a technical service bulletin. Not fairly a recall, a TSB is usually issued for what the producer considers non-safety-related issues, and serves as a diagnostic device for mechanics within the area when confronted with identified points and customary complaints.

Nikola’s TSB is included, beneath:

Now, nonetheless, evidently the manufacturing shutdown at Nikola is likely to be one thing extra everlasting.

A salesman at a Nikola supplier who requested not be named informed me he was instructed to not settle for buy orders on the hydrogen gas cell vans for the foreseeable future. Moreover, we reached out to Nikola final week with three comparatively easy questions. These being:

1. We obtained a tip from somebody claiming to be a Nikola worker saying that Nikola was going to halt manufacturing of the hydrogen vans. Is that true? Whether it is, is {that a} everlasting cease or a short lived problem to deal with the NHTSA criticism/show recall?
2. Is the TSB talked about right here https://electrek.co/2024/12/06/hydrogen-early-adopter-faces-big-problems-amid-nikola-challenges/ associated to the breakdowns/are you assured that may enhance the scenario?
3. A minimum of one early Nikola buyer informed us they’d to purchase all new chargers as a result of their authentic charging answer wouldn’t “wake” the vans. Is that resolved/what chargers work finest with Nikola vans?
4. I even have a salesman at a Nikola supplier saying he’s been informed to not take POs on the hydrogen vans till additional discover. Curious in case you have a touch upon that, additionally?

After a couple of days of ready and asking for updates, we obtained the next non-response from Nikola’s comms workforce: Presently, we’re unable to remark. I’ll let you realize if that adjustments.

It doesn’t take days to say “no”

“Yeah, this takes a minute to confirm,” stated Fred Lambert, Electrek editor-in-chief, after we talked about this story. “In the event that they’re not responding, they received’t, or they’re making an attempt to therapeutic massage the reality.”

I whole-heartedly agree with Fred. It might take a handful of seconds to say, “We’re nonetheless constructing vans, let me get again to you on the remainder,” however the refusal to remark, the delay, coupled with the corporate’s newest SEC submitting that included the miserable language (beneath), doesn’t do a lot to instill confidence in Nikola’s future prospects.

Additional, the doubt relating to our means to proceed as a going concern has and continues to adversely have an effect on our means to acquire new financing on affordable phrases or in any respect. If we can’t increase extra capital after we want it, we might must considerably cut back our spending, delay, reduce or cancel some or all of our deliberate enterprise actions or operations, promote property, or considerably change our company construction, and we might not have adequate sources to conduct our enterprise as deliberate or in any respect. For instance, in October and December 2024, we decreased our workforce with a purpose to higher align our staffing with our present wants. Nonetheless, these reductions in power might end in unintended penalties and prices, reminiscent of lack of institutional data, decreased morale, an adversarial impression on our popularity and challenges in attracting new expertise in addition to retaining skilled workers sooner or later. If we can’t increase adequate capital when wanted, we could also be compelled to additional curtail or to discontinue our operations, which might materially and adversely have an effect on our monetary situation, outcomes of operations, enterprise, and prospects, and should end in a lack of your funding.

NIKOLA SEC FILINGS

What’s extra, Reddit person Patron_1969 (a profile that hyperlinks again to a Nikola employee) additionally appears to verify that the manufacturing shutdown is actual, purchase says that it’s because of the firm’s newest spherical of layoffs and makes an attempt at cost-savings, relatively than the unpredictable failures of the hydrogen drivetrain featured within the NHTSA criticism.

With rumors swirling, official communications on lockdowns, and tipsters talking up on electronic mail and social media retailers, it’s robust to do something however assume the worst for Nikola.

It seems to be the top of a 4-year-long demise spiral for Nikola:

It’s honest to notice that Nikola’s issues should not essentially indicative of the broader BEV and FCEV truck market.

The corporate’s issues went past the difficulties of delivering a brand new know-how to a longtime trucking business.