A prominent electric vehicle manufacturer valued at approximately £118 million has ceased operations after 11 years, throwing the futures of its workforce into uncertainty and leaving many without pay.
Sudden Closure Leaves Staff in the Dark
Bollinger Motors halted all business activity abruptly on November 21, 2025. Employees were informed of the closure via email on the very same day, according to internal communications seen by the Detroit Free Press.
The email from the company's Human Resources Director, Helen Watson, stated: "We received word late last night that the day has arrived, we are to officially close the doors of Bollinger Motors, effective today." This sudden move came ahead of the Christmas period, compounding the distress for staff.
Workers subsequently discovered that the company had failed to meet payroll for multiple periods. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has confirmed it is currently handling 59 claims for unpaid wages from former Bollinger employees.
Financial Struggles and Corporate Dispute
In her email, Helen Watson indicated that David Michery, CEO of parent company Bollinger Innovations, would ensure staff were made whole for the missed payments. She wrote that she was working on creating cheques for the October 31, 2025 payroll, believing they would be available the following Monday.
The company's troubles followed a significant corporate change. In September 2022, Mullen Automotive acquired a 60% controlling stake in Bollinger Motors for $148.2 million.
This ownership structure ultimately led to further instability. By May 2025, the Mullen-owned Bollinger subsidiary was placed into receivership. This action resulted from a financial dispute between the company's founder, Robert Bollinger, and its then-owner, Mullen Automotive.
Legacy of an Ambitious EV Project
Bollinger Motors had positioned itself as a manufacturer of robust, all-electric commercial vehicles. Its website, which remains active, promotes the Bollinger B4, described as an all-new, class-4 commercial truck designed and assembled in Michigan.
The company also teased the future debut of a larger Bollinger B5 class-5 truck, promising zero-emissions capability for demanding business needs. Watson's closing remarks in her email to staff reflected on this legacy, calling it "the end of an era but one you should all be very proud of."
The collapse of this once-promising EV company highlights the volatile nature of the electric vehicle start-up sector, where ambitious designs and significant valuations can quickly unravel, leaving employees and investors to bear the consequences.
