USA EV manufacturer Mullen Technologies has selected the Spokane region of Washington state to produce the company’s flagship sports coupe, the Qiantu K50. Mullen and the West Plains Airport Area Public Development Authority (PDA) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the construction of 1,300,000ft² of assembly, manufacturing, and R&D facilities.
“We are thrilled to be finalizing this critical first step in bringing the Qiantu K50 to North America,” says David Michery, Mullen founder and CEO. “The response to the vehicle at the New York Auto Show was incredible and we can’t wait to get positive feedback once people actually drive this beautiful EV.”
Mullen Technologies is working with the PDA to develop and produce the K50, with approximately 55 jobs at startup, increasing to 863 jobs by 2026. The company, through Mullen Energy, has a further interest in bringing its battery research and development of lithium batteries (for use in automotive and other sectors) which would increase the job count to nearly 3,000. Over the next two years, Mullen will be developing an air-handling system to optimize the battery cell life.
“We are very excited about the LOI with Mullen,” adds Larry Krauter, chair of the PDA and CEO of Spokane International Airport. “This is exactly why we created the Public Development Authority, to attract innovative companies to the region who create well-paying jobs so we can make up the income disparity with the rest of Washington. This is the role our community leaders envisioned for the PDA and the LOI is another example of our efforts to deliver on that vision.”
The PDA would construct the facilities, including site improvements and rail access, and lease the facilities to Mullen. The PDA is currently working with Mullen to secure an interim facility of approximately 100,000ft² for their immediate use for the battery research and development, production and initial assembly of the sports car.
The Qiantu K50 will launch in North America in the second half of 2020.
