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VIA Motors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
VIA Motors, Inc.
Company typePrivate
Founded2010
HeadquartersOrem, Utah, USA
Key people
Bob Lutz
ParentIdeanomics
Websitewww.viamotors.com

VIA Motors is an American electric vehicle development and manufacturing company founded in 2010. VIA Motors started out converting GM vehicles into plug-in hybrids (PHEV), but now produces fully electric commercial vehicles for fleet managers. VIA is developing its own skateboard platform for Class 2-5 commercial vehicles, that will enter production in 2024.[1]

In August 2021, Ideanomics announced their intent to acquire VIA Motors for US$630 million.[2]

On January 26, 2023, Ideanomics announced that it had completed the acquisition of VIA Motors.[3]

History

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VIA Motors was spun off in November 2010 from Raser Technologies, the engineering company that, in 2009, showed a Hummer H3 said to be capable of returning 100 miles per gallon when fitted with Raser's range-extender plug-in powertrain.[4][5] Bob Lutz, former vice-chairman of GM credited as "Father of the Chevy Volt",[6] featuring an extended-range electric powertrain called Voltec,[7] joined as chairman in 2011.

2010 – VIA Motors is formed from a private group of investors. Executives and engineers from General Motors and Raser Technologies join VIA Motors.

2011 – VIA raises $5.3 million from private investors including Carl Berg.[8] Alpha and beta vehicles are delivered to PG&E. Bob Lutz joins VIA Motors as chairman. 2012 – VIA unveils a lineup of EREV versions of trucks, vans and SUVs at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[9] VIA signs key suppliers, including Remy Motors[10] and A123 Batteries.[11] Fleet customers including Rocky Mountain Power[12] and Verizon Wireless[13] join vehicle testing program.

2019 – Robert (Bob) Purcell is appointed CEO of VIA Motors.[14]

Electric Vehicles

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The VIA skateboard platform

VIA offers fully electric commercial vehicles in classes 3-5. Their skateboard-based vehicles will have multiple body styles available (cab chassis, flatbed, cargo van, step van, etc.) and are set to arrive in 2023.[15] All of their vehicles are customized to what the route requires, using optimized engineering. VIA also offers refrigeration on their vehicles and integration with third-party autonomous driving services.[15]

Optimized Engineering

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VIA claims to offer more affordable vehicles through what they call Optimized Engineering. They sit down with each customer and analyze the exact vehicle requirements the customer needs (route, climate, elevation gains, speed, average payload, etc.). VIA then works with the customer to create a fleet that matches those requirements. VIA's virtual testing environments allow them to do a majority of this testing virtually and cut down on research and development costs.[15] This allows them to sell their vehicles at a reduced cost.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Knott, Marcus Kääpä, David (2023-01-13). "VIA Motors : VIA Delivers Electric Work Trucks". North America Outlook. Retrieved 2023-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Fintech firm Ideanomics to buy VIA Motors for nearly $630 mln". Reuters. August 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Ideanomics. "Ideanomics completes the acquisition of VIA Motors, targets the fast-growing commercial EV delivery sector". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  4. ^ SCHULTZ, JONATHAN (26 September 2011). "'Retired' Bob Lutz Adds Via Motors to His Brand Advisory Portfolio". New York Times. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  5. ^ Yoney, Domenick. "Via Motors offers Raser E-REV truck tech for fleets in 2011, individuals in 2013".
  6. ^ Gordon, Nikki (17 July 2012). "Jay Leno, Bob Lutz talk plug-ins, test drive a hybrid truck". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  7. ^ "The Voltec System - Energy Storage and Electric Propulsion". Retrieved 2014-11-14.
  8. ^ KOLODNY, LORA (18 March 2011). "VIA Motors Raises $5.3 Million To Build Clean Trucks And SUVs". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  9. ^ Motavalli, Jim (10 January 2012). "Via Motors: Big G.M. Trucks With Downsized Thirst". New York Times.
  10. ^ "Remy International Signs Long Term Supply Agreement with VIA Motors". 11 June 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  11. ^ "A123 Systems To Supply Batteries To Via Motors". The Wall Street Journal. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  12. ^ Lee, Jasen (June 20, 2012). "About this ad Rocky Mountain Power to test new electric truck". Deseret News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  13. ^ "VIA Motors and Verizon to collaborate on extended range electric work vehicles; evaluation for possible wide-scale application". Green Car Congress. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Category: Press Release". VIA Motors. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  15. ^ a b c "VIA Motors". VIA Motors. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
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