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- ABC Companies, a premier provider to the transportation industry, places $45M order for 200 additional electric vehicles ranging from Class 3 Transit passenger wagons to motorcoaches<\/i><\/li>\n
- The motorcoach platform is the 7th<\/sup> zero-emission platform developed and manufactured by Lightning eMotors<\/i><\/li>\n
- Deliveries of zero-emission vehicles and powertrains already underway<\/i><\/li>\n
- Business combination with GigCapital3, Inc. remains on track<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
LOVELAND, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–Lightning eMotors<\/a> (\u201cLightning eMotors\u201d or the \u201cCompany\u201d), a leading provider of commercial electric vehicles for fleets, today announced a $45 million order for its zero-emission powertrain systems from Faribault, Minnesota-based motorcoach supplier ABC Companies<\/a>. The first zero-emission motorcoach was delivered in December.\n<\/p>\n
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210106005226\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nThe T2145e electric motor coach undergoing final testing in Colorado. (Photo: Business Wire)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe order includes a mix of new vehicles manufactured by Lightning eMotors, as well as new zero-emission powertrain systems developed by Lightning eMotors to be upfit by ABC Companies into customers\u2019 previously operated vehicles.\n<\/p>\n
\nUnder the order and partnership, Lightning eMotors has trained ABC Companies personnel to install and service Lightning Electric powertrain systems. In addition to Class 8 motorcoaches, the order from ABC Companies includes Class 3 Lightning Electric Transit passenger vans, Class 4 Lightning Electric E-450 shuttle buses, Class 5 Lightning Electric F-550 shuttle buses, and Class 7 transit buses.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe first motorcoach delivered has met the high expectations many of our customers have,\u201d said Roman Cornell, president and chief commercial officer of ABC Companies. \u201cIt has excellent power, over 200 miles of range on a charge, and Lightning\u2019s energy division can support installation of fast-charging systems that meet our customer\u2019s stringent requirements. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to work together with Lightning eMotors and sets our order plans for the next 24 months.”\n<\/p>\n
\nElectric motorcoaches to be offered by ABC Companies include both touring coach and high-capacity double-deck coaches.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAt 3,445 Newton-meters of torque (2,540 ft-lbs), the Lightning eMotors\u2019 electric motorcoaches are our most powerful and advanced powertrain to date,\u201d said Tim Reeser, chief executive officer of Lightning eMotors. \u201cThey have an 800-volt modular, liquid-cooled battery system with up to 640 kilowatt-hours of energy that provides roughly 200 miles of real-world range and can be charged fully in three hours via DC fast charging.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe coach powertrain is our seventh commercial electric vehicle powertrain, developed on our modular, proprietary software, and hardware platform,\u201d Reeser added. \u201cWith more than 500 components, and a multitude of custom-built systems including intricate wiring harnesses, DC fast charging systems, control software, framework, and several of the high voltage HVAC components, we developed the powertrain in less than a year, proving the value of our accelerated building-block platform.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nDespite the complexity, the powertrain is designed to be quickly installed by trained ABC technicians at their facilities throughout North America.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe partnership with Lightning eMotors was formed after ABC Companies conducted a global search for a powertrain provider with the scope, scale, experience, and expertise to provide zero-emission vehicles and offer charging solutions for large corporate and municipal customers. ABC also liked that Lightning eMotors would be able to develop custom zero-emission repower kits for a variety of customers and vehicle applications, Cornell said.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMany of our large corporate and university campus customers are making plans to go all-electric as they ramp back up, so we are excited to be able to immediately offer both new electric buses and zero-emission repower solutions through our Diesel-to-Electric Repower Program<\/a>,\u201d Cornell added.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe repower program is launching under ABC Companies\u2019 SVT (Specialty Vehicles and Technologies) division, underscoring the company\u2019s focus on lowering EV market cost-of-entry barriers for coach operators.\n<\/p>\n
\nIn addition to providing a full range of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) repower options for motorcoaches, ABC also will be an authorized nationwide service center and distributor for new and repower options for Lightning eMotors\u2019 popular shuttle vans and cutaway applications, such as the Lightning Electric Transit passenger van and Lightning Electric E-450 and F-550 shuttle buses. \u201cMany of our customers utilize these vans and shuttle buses for various short distance routes, such as airport runs and hotel shuttles, as well as last-mile services for smaller groups,\u201d Reeser said. \u201cThese vehicles provide a very compelling total cost of ownership. And, as fleets target the vehicles and routes that they will electrify first, we need to be ready to meet those needs.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe smoothness, the quietness, and the power of these electric motorcoaches is a game-changer for drivers, passengers, and operators\u201d Reeser added. \u201cWe\u2019re providing a full range of powerful, cost-effective zero-emission vehicles, engineered to support each operator\u2019s sustainability goals.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nLast month, Lightning eMotors and GigCapital3, Inc. (\u201cGIK\u201d or \u201cGigCapital3\u201d) (NYSE: GIK), a special-purpose acquisition company, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination. With GigCapital3\u2019s initial filing of a Form S-3 combined proxy statement\/prospectus on Dec. 31, 2020, Lightning eMotors\u2019 pending business combination with GigCapital3 remains on track for an expected closing in the first quarter of 2021, subject to the approval of the stockholders of GigCapital3 and Lightning eMotors and other conditions to closing. Upon closing of the business combination, the combined operating company will be named Lightning eMotors and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol [\u201cZEV\u201d].\n<\/p>\n
About ABC Companies<\/b><\/p>\n
\nABC Companies is a leading provider to the transportation industry with diverse product and service offerings that cover a full spectrum of operational needs including new and pre-owned full-size highway coach equipment along with transit and specialty vehicles including battery electric vehicles. ABC supports customers with a comprehensive after sale service network for service and repairs, collision services, extensive OEM and quality aftermarket parts needs for transit, motorcoach and heavy-duty equipment from 10 strategically placed locations throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, private and municipal financing and leasing options are available through the company\u2019s financial services group \u2013 one of the largest financial service providers within the industry. For more information, contact ABC Companies at 800-222-2875 or visit the company web site at https:\/\/www.abc-companies.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n
About Lightning eMotors<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nLightning eMotors provides complete zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) solutions for commercial fleets \u2013 from Class 3 cargo vans, passenger vans, and ambulances, to Class 4 shuttles buses and box trucks, to Class 6 work trucks, Class 7 city buses, and Class 8 motorcoaches. The Lightning eMotors team designs, engineers, customizes, and manufactures electric vehicles to support the wide array of fleet customer needs, with a full suite of telematics, analytics, and charging solutions to simplify the buying and ownership experience and maximize uptime and energy efficiency.\n<\/p>\n
\nFor more information, please visit https:\/\/lightningemotors.com<\/a> and follow us at @LightningeMtrs<\/a> on Twitter, Lightning eMotors<\/a> on LinkedIn and @LightningeMotors<\/a> on Instagram.\n<\/p>\n
About GigCapital Global and GigCapital3, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nGigCapital Global (\u201cGigCapital\u201d) is a Private-to-Public Equity (PPE) technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) focused investment group led by an affiliated team of technology industry corporate executives and entrepreneurs, and TMT operational and strategic experts in the private and public markets, including substantial, success-proven M&A and IPO activities. The group deploys a unique Mentor-Investors\u2122 methodology to partner with exceptional TMT companies, managed by dedicated and experienced entrepreneurs. The GigCapital Private-to-Public Equity (PPE) companies (also known as blank check companies or Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)) offer financial, operational and executive mentoring to U.S. and overseas private, and non-U.S. public companies, in order to accelerate their path from inception and as a privately-held entity into the growth-stage as a publicly traded company in the U.S. The partnership of GigCapital with these companies continues through an organic and roll-up strategy growth post the transition to a public company. GigCapital was launched in 2017 with the vision of becoming the lead franchise in incepting and developing TMT Private-to-Public Equity (PPE) companies. For more information, visit www.gigcapitalglobal.com<\/a> or https:\/\/www.GigCapital3.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n
\nGigCapital3, Inc. (NYSE: GIK, GIK.U, and GIK.WS), is one of GigCapital\u2019s Private-to-Public Equity (PPE) companies.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cPrivate-to-Public Equity (PPE)\u201d and \u201cMentor-Investor\u201d are trademarks of GigFounders, LLC, used pursuant to agreement.\n<\/p>\n
Forward Looking Statements<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the business combination between GigCapital3 and Lightning eMotors and its closing, and the expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects or strategies regarding the business combination, the future business plans of the Lightning eMotors and GigCapital3 management teams, and Lightning eMotors\u2019 revenue growth and financial performance, facilities, product expansion, services and product shipments and capabilities. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201ccontinue,\u201d \u201ccould,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201cintends,\u201d \u201cmay,\u201d \u201cmight,\u201d \u201cplan,\u201d \u201cpossible,\u201d \u201cpotential,\u201d \u201cpredict,\u201d \u201cproject,\u201d \u201cshould,\u201d \u201cwould\u201d and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the management of GigCapital3 and\/or Lightning eMotors in light of their respective experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and their potential effects on Lightning eMotors and GigCapital3 as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Lightning eMotors or GigCapital3 will be those that the parties have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the parties) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including that the GigCapital3 stockholders will approve the transaction, the ability of the post-combination company to meet the NYSE listing standards, product and service acceptance and that Lightning eMotors will have sufficient capital upon the approval of the transaction to operate as anticipated. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading \u201cRisk Factors\u201d and in other sections of GigCapital3\u2019s filings with the SEC, and in GigCapital3\u2019s current and periodic reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to GigCapital3 and\/or Lightning eMotors as of the date hereof, and GigCapital3 and Lightning eMotors assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.\n<\/p>\n
Additional Information and Where to Find It<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nGigCapital3 filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-251862), which includes a prospectus with respect to Lightning eMotors\u2019 securities to be issued in connection with the business combination and a proxy statement with respect to GigCapital3\u2019s stockholder meeting to vote on the business sombination (as amended, the “GigCapital3 proxy statement\/prospectus”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Lightning eMotors and GigCapital3 urge investors and other interested persons to read the GigCapital3 proxy statement\/prospectus, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because these documents will contain important information about the business combination. The GigCapital3 proxy statement\/prospectus and other relevant materials for the business combination will be mailed to stockholders of GigCapitl3 as of the record date established for voting on the business combination.\n<\/p>\n
\nStockholders may also obtain a copy of the preliminary proxy statement\/prospectus as well as other documents filed with the SEC by GigCapital3, without charge, at the SEC\u2019s website located at www.sec.gov<\/a> or by directing a request to Brad Weightman, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, GigCapital3, Inc., 1731 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94303, or by telephone at (650) 276-7040.\n<\/p>\n
Participants in the Solicitation<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nLightning eMotors, GigCapital3 and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from GigCapital3\u2019s stockholders in respect of the proposed business combination and related transactions. Information regarding GigCapital3\u2019s directors and executive officers is available in its final prospectus filed with the SEC under Rule 424(b)(4) on May 15, 2020. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be contained in the preliminary and definitive proxy statements\/prospectus related to the proposed business combination and related transactions when it becomes available, and which can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.\n<\/p>\n
No Offer or Solicitation<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThis communication shall neither constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210106005226\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nJoe Koenig
\n
(708) 613-5005
\n
pressrelations@lightningemotors.com<\/a><\/p>\nKEYWORDS:<\/b> Colorado United States North America<\/p>\n
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Automotive General Automotive Transport Alternative Vehicles\/Fuels Fleet Management Public Transport Other Transport<\/p>\n
- The motorcoach platform is the 7th<\/sup> zero-emission platform developed and manufactured by Lightning eMotors<\/i><\/li>\n
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