Canoo’s Oklahoma City Manufacturing Facility Achieves Final Activation as First Automotive Foreign-Trade Zone in the State of Oklahoma

Rhea-AI Summary

Canoo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOEV) has achieved final activation of its Oklahoma City manufacturing facility as a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ), the first automotive FTZ in Oklahoma. This status, approved by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, offers Canoo significant financial and logistical benefits, including:

1. Insulation from import tariffs
2. Deferments and exemptions on imports
3. A 5% reduction in BOM costs for imported parts, improving margins
4. Opportunity for vendors and partners to relocate to Canoo's site

The FTZ activation is part of Canoo's strategy to streamline operations as it scales production of modular electric commercial vehicles for customers in the U.S., UK, Europe, and Middle East.

Positive

• Achieved final activation as a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) for Oklahoma City facility
• 5% reduction in BOM costs for imported parts, improving margins
• Insulation from import tariffs and allowance for deferments and exemptions
• Opportunity to expand benefits to vendors and partners by relocating to Canoo's site
• Streamlining operations for scaling production of electric commercial vehicles

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

Canoo's achievement of Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) status for its Oklahoma City facility is a significant strategic move with immediate financial implications. The 5% reduction in Bill of Materials (BOM) costs for imported parts will directly boost profit margins, a important factor for an emerging EV manufacturer. This cost advantage could accelerate Canoo's path to profitability, especially important given the capital-intensive nature of the automotive industry.

The FTZ status also provides Canoo with flexibility in global operations, potentially enhancing its competitiveness in international markets. The ability to defer or be exempt from certain import tariffs could significantly improve cash flow management, a critical aspect for a company in its growth phase. However, investors should note that while this is a positive development, Canoo still faces challenges in scaling production and achieving sustainable profitability in the highly competitive EV market.

Supply Chain Expert

The FTZ activation for Canoo's Oklahoma City facility represents a major leap in supply chain optimization. This status will allow Canoo to streamline its international sourcing and potentially attract suppliers to co-locate within the zone, creating a more efficient ecosystem. The ability to defer duties until products leave the FTZ can significantly improve working capital management.

Moreover, this move positions Canoo to be more resilient against trade policy fluctuations, providing a buffer against potential tariff increases. The company can now more easily source components globally without immediate duty implications, potentially accessing higher quality or lower-cost inputs. However, the real test will be how effectively Canoo leverages this advantage to scale production and meet market demand, especially given the complex nature of EV supply chains and the current global semiconductor shortages.

Automotive Industry Analyst

Canoo's FTZ activation is a strategic differentiator in the competitive EV landscape. As the first automotive FTZ in Oklahoma, it gives Canoo a unique advantage in the region. This could attract more automotive suppliers to the area, potentially creating a localized EV manufacturing hub. The 5% reduction in BOM costs is significant, especially considering the tight margins in the EV industry.

However, it's important to note that while this is a positive step, Canoo still faces significant challenges. The company needs to ramp up production to compete with established players and other EV startups. The FTZ status alone doesn't address issues like brand recognition, distribution networks, or the capital required for large-scale manufacturing. Investors should view this as a valuable tool for Canoo's growth strategy, but not a guarantee of success in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving EV market.

• FTZ activation insulates Canoo from import tariffs and allows for deferments and exemptions as the company expands its global presence
  
• The approval of Canoo's FTZ allows other vendors and partners to relocate into Canoo’s user-driven site thereby broadening the benefits to Canoo and its partners
• Effective immediately providing a 5% reduction in BOM costs for imported parts significantly improving margins
  

JUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Canoo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOEV), a high-tech advanced mobility company, announced today that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially approved final activation of Canoo’s Oklahoma City operations as a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ), becoming one of the largest FTZs in the State of Oklahoma.

This activation status qualifies Canoo to take advantage of FTZ benefits, effective immediately. This final designation will allow Canoo to significantly streamline its operations, offering financial and logistical benefits as the company scales production of its modular electric commercial vehicles for customers in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East.

Canoo has worked for approximately a year with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for approval and activation of the FTZ. Initial approval was received in March 2024 and over the last several months Canoo completed this final activation milestone for this facility, which includes having the necessary infrastructure to activate the site.

“We thank Oklahoma City Customs Port Director Pequano and the Dallas U.S. Customs and Border Protection Area Port office for the work, support and direction for the activation approval. It's great to get this milestone completed as it's part of a larger strategy with more to come,” said Tony Aquila, Investor, Executive Chairman, and CEO of Canoo.

This is a significant first step in harmonizing Canoo’s supply chain and insulating the company from the standard practices in other countries, providing stability against the ever-changing tariffs landscape.

For more information on Canoo please visit www.canoo.com.

About Canoo
Founded in 2017, Canoo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOEV) is an automotive tech company that manufactures electric cargo vehicles, built to deliver, for large commercial, government and fleet customers globally. The company has developed design-forward innovative electric vehicles with steer-by-wire technology on its common modular platform with end-to-end software plus power solutions. Canoo’s platform is purpose-built to maximize the vehicle interior space and is customizable to support a wide range of business and government applications. Headquartered in Justin, Texas, Canoo has teams located in California, Michigan and Oklahoma with world-class vehicle and battery facilities in Oklahoma City. For more information please visit www.canoo.com and investors.canoo.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, expectations and objectives with respect to the results and timing of the reverse stock split and the effect the reverse stock split will have on the Company’s ability to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing standards. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Canoo's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Canoo. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; Canoo's ability to access future capital, via debt or equity markets, or other sources; the rollout of Canoo's business and the timing of expected business milestones and commercial launch; future market adoption of Canoo's offerings; risks related to Canoo's go-to-market strategy and manufacturing strategy; the effects of competition on Canoo's future business, and those factors discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Canoo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 1, 2024, as well as its past and future Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting Canoo's Investors Relations website at investors.canoo.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Canoo does not presently know or that Canoo currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Canoo's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Canoo anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Canoo's assessments to change.

However, while Canoo may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Canoo specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Canoo's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
press@canoo.com

Investor Relations Contact
IR@canoo.com

FAQ

What is the significance of Canoo's Oklahoma City facility becoming a Foreign-Trade Zone?

Canoo's Oklahoma City facility becoming a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is significant as it's the first automotive FTZ in Oklahoma. This status provides Canoo with financial and logistical benefits, including insulation from import tariffs, deferments and exemptions on imports, and a 5% reduction in BOM costs for imported parts, which improves margins.

How does the FTZ status affect Canoo's (GOEV) production costs?

The FTZ status provides Canoo (GOEV) with a 5% reduction in BOM (Bill of Materials) costs for imported parts. This reduction significantly improves margins for the company, making their production process more cost-effective.

What markets will benefit from Canoo's (GOEV) streamlined operations due to FTZ status?

Canoo's (GOEV) streamlined operations due to FTZ status will benefit its production of modular electric commercial vehicles for customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East.

When did Canoo (GOEV) receive initial approval for FTZ status, and when was it finalized?

Canoo (GOEV) received initial approval for FTZ status in March 2024. The final activation was announced on September 19, 2024, after completing the necessary infrastructure requirements over several months.