Bollinger Motors Liquidates Assets After Failed EV Venture: What Happened to the B4 Trucks?

Bollinger Motors, a once-promising electric vehicle (EV) startup, is now liquidating its assets after financial struggles led to a court-ordered auction. The company’s manufacturing equipment, including battery testing systems and vehicle lifts, as well as 20 Bollinger B4 Class 4 electric trucks, will be sold in an online auction.

This liquidation follows Bollinger’s failed merger with Mullen Automotive in 2023, which ultimately did not prevent the company from defaulting on payments to suppliers. The Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC) is also seeking to recover $1 million of a $3 million grant awarded to Bollinger in 2023. At the time, Bollinger pledged to invest $44 million in Michigan and create 237 jobs in Detroit.

Unpaid Wages and Regulatory Scrutiny

Bollinger’s troubles extend beyond financial insolvency. The company is under investigation by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity following multiple complaints about unpaid wages and benefits. These issues have further complicated the company’s already dire situation.

Founder Repurchases Key EV Prototypes

Despite the liquidation, Bollinger may not disappear entirely. In a recent development, company founder and former CEO Robert Bollinger repurchased the intellectual property (IP) and prototypes of the original B1 and B2 electric off-roaders for less than $250,000. The purchase occurred after a judge in Ohio ordered Bollinger into receivership.

While it remains unclear whether Robert Bollinger plans to revive the B1 and B2 models, he recently told The Detroit News that he sees a potential market gap for utilitarian electric off-roaders like these vehicles.

What’s Next for Bollinger’s Assets?

• Manufacturing equipment: Battery testing and validation systems, vehicle lifts, and tooling will be auctioned.
• Bollinger B4 electric trucks: Twenty Class 4 electric trucks will be available for sale.
• Other assets: Additional vehicles, shop equipment, and inventory will also be liquidated.

The auction marks the end of Bollinger’s attempt to establish itself in the competitive EV market, which has seen successes like Rivian and Lucid but also many failures. Bollinger’s story serves as a cautionary tale for startups navigating the challenges of the modern automotive industry.