Astro Aerospace Signs Letter of Intent with Lotus Mobility Ltd for Exclusive Distribution of its Electric Aircraft

Rhea-AI Summary

Astro Aerospace Ltd (OTCQB: ASDN) has signed a letter of intent with Lotus Mobility Ltd to acquire 51% of Lotus's subsidiary, Liaoning Tongda Transport Technologies (LTT), for 3 million shares. This deal grants Astro exclusive global rights to LTT's electric aircraft technologies, including the RX1E and RX4E models. The partnership also involves a $3 million investment in R&D for future electric aircraft, including 9- and 19-seater designs. Astro will also establish a Singapore-based subsidiary to explore opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

Positive

• Acquisition of 51% of LTT enhances Astro's technology and market reach.
• Joint R&D with LGAA aims to develop advanced electric aircraft.
• Exclusive distribution rights for new aircraft models bolsters market position.

Negative

• The need to raise additional capital may dilute shareholder value.

Dallas, Texas, July 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astro Aerospace Ltd (OTCQB: ASDN) (“Company” or “Astro”), a global leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles and drones, today announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Lotus Mobility Ltd. (“Lotus”) to acquire all IP, technology, and exclusive global distribution rights to Lotus’s line of cutting-edge electric aircraft.

In exchange for 3 million Astro Shares, Astro will acquire 51% of Lotus’s subsidiary Liaoning Tongda Transport Technologies Co. Ltd (“LTT”), along with an exclusive, perpetual license to all LTT Technology and IP for use in Astro’s business and the international distribution rights for LTT’s 2-seater RX1E and RX1E-A, 4-seater RX4E, freighter KN60F and RX Seaplane. In addition, the companies will pursue joint research and development of the next generation of electric aircraft through a development and commercialisation agreement with Liaoning General Aviation Research Institute (“LGAA”), investing initially $3 million in operations and research and development. SOME of the initial projects to be undertaken by LTT and LGAA is the development of a 9- and a 19-seater plane, with Astro commanding exclusive international distribution and naming rights for these and all other future products. In addition, Astro will have the first right of refusal to acquire the remaining 49% of LTT.

In an effort to jointly explore opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, Astro and LTT will also establish Singapore-based Astro Apac Pte Ltd.  Astro Aerospace will own 51% OF ASTRO Apac Pte Ltd, with the remaining 49% held by Lotus Mobility. Astro will contribute $1 million as part of an overall raise to expand to new opportunities in the Asian Pacific markets. 

In China, Astro and LTT plan to jointly develop a 4-hectare site to construct a state-of-the-art aviation exhibition for learning and tourism purposes, along with a 133-hectare site to host a regional flight school, airport, hospitality facilities, and residences.

“This is an amazing opportunity for Astro Aerospace to further expand our vertical product offering while joining forces with Lotus to further develop our global reach. Astro’s majority stake in LTT will provide us with direct access to the Asia Pacific region as well as pioneering aerospace technology produced by LGAA, including the RX4E, China’s first domestic 4-seater electric aircraft,” said Patricia Trompeter, Chief Executive Officer of Astro Aerospace.

 Neil Sumaru, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Mobility Ltd, commented, "We are excited to partner with Astro Aerospace to extend our market reach beyond Asia Pacific to North America and Europe. With Astro, we will co-develop next generation electric aircraft, beyond our current two- and four-seater models, to include nine- and nineteen-seater types.” 

About Astro Aerospace
Astro Aerospace is the developer of the world’s most advanced, autonomous, short haul, eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aerial vehicles.

Our mission is to make self-flying unmanned and manned vehicles available to anyone, at anytime, from anywhere, and to turn this new and exciting aircraft into a mainstream mode of transportation.

About Lotus Mobility Ltd
Lotus Mobility Ltd is a US mobility group dedicated to developing technologies, products, and services for electric vehicles for the air, land, and water transport.  Lotus has strategic operating bases in the Asia Pacific region, plus partnerships in other regions of the world.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, (ii) delays in bringing products to key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the ability to sell our products in certain markets, (iv) intense competition in the industry from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, (vi) product malfunctions, (vii) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on subcontractors for assistance, (viii) our efforts to successfully obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (ix) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, (x) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain and (xi) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Our vision is “Flight Made Easy”.

Visit www.flyastro.com for more information.
For inquiries, contact Mike@flyastro.com.
Astro Aerospace Ltd.
320 W. Main Street
Lewisville, TX 75057

FAQ

What recent acquisition did Astro Aerospace (ASDN) announce?

Astro Aerospace announced an acquisition of 51% of Lotus's subsidiary, LTT, for 3 million shares.

What technology rights did Astro gain from the Lotus Mobility deal?

Astro obtained exclusive global distribution rights to LTT's electric aircraft technologies.

What is the planned investment in R&D by Astro Aerospace?

Astro plans to invest $3 million in R&D for the development of new electric aircraft.

How will Astro Aerospace expand in the Asia Pacific region?

Astro will establish a Singapore-based subsidiary to explore opportunities in the Asia Pacific markets.

What new aircraft models are being developed as part of the partnership?

Astro and LTT are developing 9- and 19-seater electric aircraft models.