Canoo (GOEV), a young electric-vehicle manufacturer navigating serious financial stresses, got a lifeline just when it needed it.
The financial problems have clouded Canoo's future, to the point where analysts were wondering whether the company would file to reorganize or would be bought by either a competitor or by a company that wanted to enter the huge-potential EV market.
Speculation and press reports, for example, point to a possible acquisition of the group by Apple (AAPL). On May 10, the Torrance, Calif., company had warned that it ran the risk of running out of money in coming months.
Going-Concern Warning ...
"Due to the timing of our announced funding, and the 2014 [Financial Accounting Standards Board] accounting rule, as of the date of this announcement, we are reporting that there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," Canoo told investors when it released its first-quarter earnings.
"Substantial doubt" is an expression that listed companies are required to place in their financial disclosures when they are not certain that they can meet their financial obligations within the next 12 months.
Canoo posted a net loss of $125.4 million for the first quarter, widened from $15.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.
The electric-truck maker said it expected to report operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation and depreciation) of $95 million to $115 million for Q2. Capital expenditures came in at $85 million to $105 million in the second quarter, the company estimated.
Canoo said it needed at least $180 million to fund its operations in the second quarter ended in June. The group said it had only $104.9 million of cash on hand.
The shares were making a comeback on July 12, gaining 66% to $3.93 at last check. They've traded as high as $5 on July 12, more than double the $2.37 July 11 close. The shares finished 2021 at $7.72.
... and Walmart to the Rescue
The stock market boost comes as Canoo is going to get some help from a major source.
The company said retail giant Walmart (WMT) ordered 4,500 of its electric vans. The Bentonville, Ark., retail giant has an option for thousands more vans, as many as 10,000 units, according to Canoo.
"Walmart's massive store footprint provides a strategic advantage in today's growing 'Need it now' mindset and an unmatched opportunity for growing EV demand, especially at today's gas prices," said Tony Aquila, chairman and CEO of Canoo, in a news release.
Canoo's electric vehicles will deliver online orders, from groceries to general merchandise, and have the potential to be used for Walmart GoLocal, the retailer's delivery-as-a-service business, the firm said.
The EV maker is taking advantage of the competition between Walmart and Amazon (AMZN) to win consumers' hearts by delivering their groceries directly to their homes.
Among its panoply of e-commerce services, Walmart offers InHome, which delivers groceries directly to customers' fridges and freezers. To build InHome's prominence with consumers, Walmart needs to expand its fleet of electric vans.
Canoo
Walmart plans to expand InHome fivefold, to 30 million households from 6 million, by year's end as the service is offered in major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
In addition to Canoo, Walmart has also purchased electric vans from GM (GM) (5,000 in a deal with BrightDrop, GM's electric-van subsidiary) and 1,100 E-Transit vehicles from Ford Motor (F).
Canoo did not disclose the financial terms of the contract. It indicated that it would start manufacturing the vehicles at its Oklahoma plant and that the first deliveries were expected in 2023.
Founded in 2017, Canoo develops electric vehicles. One of its creations is the Lifestyle, an innovative minivan, the prototype of which was unveiled in 2019. Canoo's most popular vehicle, its multifunctionality and sleek and futuristic design drew a lot of attention.
The vehicle will be available in four configurations: basic, premium, adventure and delivery. The Lifestyle Delivery Vehicle lacks the rear bench seat to free up space. It'll thus be closer to a classic utility vehicle, with a more rectangular shape and without the panoramic windows.
