![]() | |
Industry | Automotive |
---|---|
Founded | 2014 |
Founder | Robert Bollinger |
Headquarters | Oak Park, Michigan, U.S. |
Website | Bollinger Motors |
Bollinger Motors is an American automobile manufacturer of electric vehicles based in Oak Park, Michigan.
History
The automotive company Bollinger Motors was founded in Hobart, New York in 2014[1][2] by its namesake, American entrepreneur Robert Bollinger. The aim was to develop a full-size electric off-road vehicle.[3]
In April 2017, Bollinger showed an aluminum chassis with a 105 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase that weighed 295 lb (134 kg) alone, designed for a forthcoming "all-electric sport utility truck".[4] The first result of the work of Bollinger's designers was a prototype of a three-door car called the B1, which was presented in June 2017.[5] The car has an austere design distinguished by an angular body covered with matte varnish and the possibility of disassembling the rear part of the roof,[6] its appearance was compared by the automotive press to vintage Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender utility vehicles.[7][8] The market launch of the model was then scheduled for 2019. By August 2017, the manufacturer managed to collect 6,000 "expressions of interest" for the Bollinger B1; these did not require a refundable deposit.[9][8] Bollinger deliberately designed the 2017 B1 prototype as a medium-duty Class 3 truck with a GVWR between 10,001 and 14,000 lb (4,536 and 6,350 kg) in order to reduce the regulatory burden on the company compared to passenger cars and light-duty trucks.[10]
In March 2018, Bollinger decided to move its headquarters from Hobart, New York, to Ferndale, Michigan.[11] Two years after the presentation of the B1 prototype, in September 2019, Bollinger presented its first two cars as production-ready prototypes. The production variant of the B1 model underwent cosmetic changes in the exterior and became longer with an additional set of rear doors and a large 4-door B2 pickup was added to the line.[12]
Both the B1 and B2 were built on what Bollinger called its E-Chassis; Bollinger stated in March 2020 the largely symmetric E-Chassis, which had double wishbone independent suspension at all four wheels, would be made available for commercial upfitters in 2021.[13] In April 2020, Bollinger announced that serial production and sales of both B1 and B2 models would start in 2021[14] and showed renderings of a B2 chassis cab model, offering the cab section of the B2 in 2- and 4-door versions with a variety of wheelbases to accommodate a variety of commercial uses.[15] In August 2020, the company headquarters moved from Ferndale to Oak Park, Michigan.[16] 1,000 preorders were received for the B1 and B2 trucks by the fall, with interested potential owners paying a refundable US$1,000 deposit.[17]
Also in August 2020, Bollinger showed renderings of the Deliver-E,[18] a panel van designed for package delivery companies spanning multiple weight classes, from Class 2B to 5, and a choice of wheelbases. The Deliver-E does not use the E-Chassis, and would include a variety of battery capacity options for the van-specific platform, which would be equipped with front-wheel drive.[19][20]
In March 2021, Bollinger announced the B2 cutaway chassis cab and E-Chassis had been renamed to the B3 Chass-E Cab (with a 2-door cab) and Chass-E, respectively, and provided prices for rear-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive with dual rear wheels, and all-drive versions.[21][22]
In mid-January 2022, the company announced a major shift in direction, postponing development of its consumer models in favor of a commercial vehicle platform, saying it would refund B1 and B2 deposits. The Bollinger Commercial Platform for medium-duty Class 3-6 trucks is a rear-drive skateboard chassis with a leaf-sprung rear live axle and front double wishbone suspension that will be offered to upfitters,[17] which will use the platform as the basis for tow trucks, trash trucks, buses and other commercial EVs.[23][24][25] In May 2022, Roush Industries was announced as the manufacturing partner for the Commercial Platform[26] and the Deliver-E van.[27] In September 2022, renderings of the Commercial Platform-based Bollinger B4 cab-forward medium-duty Class 4 truck were unveiled.[28]
Also in September 2022, Mullen Automotive acquired a 60% controlling interest in Bollinger Motors for US$148.2 million.[29] The news spurred speculation the B1/B2 could be relaunched.[30]
Products
- B1 (postponed indefinitely)
- B2 (postponed indefinitely)
- B3 Chass-E Cab / E-Chassis (cancelled)
- B4 (Class 4 truck)
- B5 (Class 5 truck)
- B6 (Class 6 truck)
- Commercial Platform (medium-duty Class 3-6 trucks, GVWR 10,001–26,000 lb (4,536–11,793 kg))
- Deliver-E (medium-duty Class 2b-5 vans, GVWR 8,501–19,500 lb (3,856–8,845 kg))
See also
References
- ^ "Bollinger B1 to Exhibit at Los Angeles Auto Show". PR.com. 2017-11-14. Archived from the original on 2022-01-15. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ Edelstein, Stephen (2017-02-14). "Bollinger Motors promises all-electric off-road 'sport utility truck'". Green Car Reports. Archived from the original on 2017-02-15. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Elektryczna terenówka. Bollinger B1". off-road.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ Glon, Roman (April 10, 2017). "All-electric Bollinger heavy truck chassis revealed, July 27 debut to follow". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Duffy, Tyler (2019-02-28). "Bollinger Motors: a Refreshingly Traditional 4×4 Company". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
- ^ "Elektryczny samochód terenowy". motoryzacja.interia.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ Hall, Emme (July 27, 2017). "Bollinger Motors B1 prototype is a dirt-slinging, dust-churning EV sport utility truck". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b Voelcker, John (October 3, 2017). "Bollinger B1 all-electric utility truck: 10,000 signups since launch". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Elektryczny samochód dla twardzieli". biznesalert.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ Voelcker, John (July 27, 2017). "Bollinger B1 all-electric utility truck revealed". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Bollinger Motors gets settled in Detroit". autonews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ "Bollinger B1 and B2: Electric SUV and ute revealed". caradvice.com.au. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ Halvorson, Bengt (March 12, 2020). "Bollinger Motors teases commercial potential of its electric truck chassis". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "6 Things You Need to Know About Bollinger Motors". gearpatrol.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
- ^ Halvorson, Bengt (April 30, 2020). "Bollinger Motors lays the foundation for electric work trucks of all kinds". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Bollinger Is Moving Its Headquarters and Doubling Its Workforce". carscoops.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
- ^ a b Halvorson, Bengt (January 14, 2022). "Bollinger bails on B1, B2: Deposits to be refunded amid shift to commercial electric trucks". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Bollinger Motors Unveils DELIVER-E™ Delivery Van". prnewswire.com (Press release). Bollinger Motors. August 27, 2020. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ Edelstein, Stephen (August 31, 2020). "Deliver-E electric van is a modern counterpoint to Bollinger's other vehicles". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Hawkins, Andrew J. (August 28, 2020). "EV startup Bollinger unveils electric delivery van". The Verge. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Davies, Chris (March 12, 2021). "Bollinger prices its Class 3 EV cab and platform - and now there's a dually". Slash Gear. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Markus, Frank (August 27, 2020). "Bollinger Deliver-E Van First Look: Scaling Up Rivian's Amazon Prime Van to XL". Motor Trend. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Payne, Henry. "Bollinger shelves consumer EVs to focus on commercial trucks". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ "Bollinger Motors pumps brakes on consumer EVs to focus on commercial trucks". Autoblog. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ Hawkins, Andrew J. (2022-01-14). "EV startup Bollinger "indefinitely postpones" its rugged electric trucks to focus on delivery vans". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
- ^ Halvorson, Bengt (May 9, 2022). "Roush will assemble Bollinger Motors' electric trucks in Michigan". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Hawkins, Andrew J. (May 9, 2022). "Bollinger selects manufacturing supplier to help build its electric commercial vehicles". The Verge. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Ruffo, Gustavo Henrique (September 2, 2022). "Bollinger Presents the B4, a Class 4 Electric Truck With Two LFP Battery Packs". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Mullen Automotive Acquires Controlling Interest in EV Truck Innovator Bollinger Motors, Inc" (Press release). Mullen Automotive. September 8, 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Edelstein, Stephen (September 9, 2022). "Mullen majority stake might revive Bollinger B1 and B2 electric trucks". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 3 November 2022.