Nikola Corporation Reports First Quarter 2022 Results
•Began serial production of the Nikola Tre BEV on March 21
•Received Purchase Orders (POs) for 134 Tre BEVs utilizing California’s HVIP1 incentive through April
•Shipped 11 saleable production trucks to dealers in April for customer delivery
•Completed Tre FCEV alpha pilot testing with Anheuser-Busch (A-B) in Southern California operations in April
•Completed Phase 1 of Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility in March
•Announced $200 million Senior Note Investment by Antara Capital
PHOENIX – May 5, 2022 -- Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation solutions, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
“During the first quarter, we reached a significant milestone with the start of serial production for the Nikola Tre BEV at our Coolidge, Arizona manufacturing facility and are currently delivering saleable trucks to dealers for customer deliveries,” said Mark Russell, Nikola’s Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to scaling production and delivering 300 – 500 production vehicles to customers this year.”
Nikola Tre BEV Update
During the first quarter, the final 10 of a total fleet of 40 pre-series Tre BEVs came off the line in Coolidge, Arizona. Pre-series trucks continue to be used in customer pilots, dealer demos, and internal R&D testing. On April 29, we successfully completed our first Tre BEV customer pilot with TTSI. We also successfully completed a 14-day pilot with Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR). We are currently undergoing pilot testing with several other customers, including Covenant Logistics (Nasdaq: CVLG).
On March 21, 2022, we began serial production of the Nikola Tre BEV in Coolidge, Arizona. We began shipping saleable Tre BEVs to dealers in April for customer deliveries. Customer POs for 134 trucks have been issued to our dealers utilizing California HVIP. To date, we have received POs, LOIs, and MOUs for a total of 510 Nikola Tre BEVs.
Nikola Tre FCEV Program Update
Tre FCEV alpha pilot testing with Anheuser-Busch (A-B) in Southern California was successfully concluded on April 29. The Tre FCEV alphas logged over 12,000 miles in A-B operations. FCEV alpha pilot testing is scheduled to begin with TTSI by the end of May. We plan to begin building the first six beta FCEV trucks by the end of Q2 2022 and complete them by the end of Q3 2022. This first batch is expected to be followed by builds of a second batch of five and a third batch of eight beta trucks. Each
1 "HVIP" stands for California's Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project which allows for up to $150,000 towards the purchase of qualifying vehicles.
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beta cohort will incorporate learnings from alpha fleet testing and previous batches. Validation of the beta fleet trucks is scheduled to progress through the first half of 2023, followed by the start of serial production planned in the second half of 2023.
Coolidge, Arizona Manufacturing Facility Update
Phase 1 of the Coolidge, Arizona facility is completed with a production capacity of 2,500 trucks. We have begun the Phase 2 assembly area expansion, which is expected to be completed in 2023 and provide a production capacity of up to 20,000 trucks per year on two shifts.
Energy Business Updates
In Q1, we selected our first dispensing station location with our station partner, TravelCenters of America (TA). Nikola and TA plan to jointly build hydrogen refueling infrastructure on TA’s existing station in Ontario, California along Interstate 10.
On April 26, 2022, TC Energy, in conjunction with Nikola, announced a plan to evaluate a hydrogen production hub in Crossfield, Alberta. The hub is expected to produce an estimated 60 tonnes of hydrogen per day, with the capacity to expand to up to 150 tonnes per day. Nikola is intended to serve as TC Energy’s anchor customer for the hub.
Dealer Network Expansion with Alta Equipment Group in Arizona
On March 23, 2022, we announced an expanded partnership with Alta Equipment Group covering the Arizona sales and service territory. Our sales and service network now covers 27 states with over 127 locations.
Announced Finance Agreement with ENGS Commercial Finance Co.
On March 29, 2022, we signed an agreement with ENGS Commercial Finance Co. to facilitate the sale of Class 8 Nikola Tre BEVs and FCEVs. Working directly through the Nikola dealer network, ENGS will offer a broad range of customer finance solutions for the purchase of Nikola vehicles, charging assets, and infrastructure requirements.
Strengthened Leadership Team and Board of Directors
On February 22, 2022, Michael Lohscheller was named President of Nikola Motor division, reporting to CEO Mark Russell. On February 24, 2022, Lynn Forester de Rothschild of Inclusive Capital Partners was appointed to the Board of Directors, replacing Jeff Ubben.
$200 Million Senior Notes Investment
On May 2, 2022, we announced a $200 million investment from funds advised by Antara Capital. The investment comes in the form of a senior unsecured note bearing interest of 8% if paid in cash, and 11% if paid by the issuance of additional notes. The notes will mature in May of 2026. We expect the note to fund in early June 2022.
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First Quarter Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except share and per share data) | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 431 | $ | — | |||||||
| Loss from operations | $ | (151,309) | $ | (120,590) | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (152,941) | $ | (120,224) | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | (79,152) | $ | (53,434) | |||||||
| Net loss per share, basic | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.31) | |||||||
| Net loss per share, diluted | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.31) | |||||||
Non-GAAP net loss per share, basic(1) | $ | (0.21) | $ | (0.14) | |||||||
Non-GAAP net loss per share, diluted(1) | $ | (0.21) | $ | (0.14) | |||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic | 415,152,656 | 392,189,851 | |||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted | 415,152,656 | 392,489,761 | |||||||||
(1) A reconciliation of the non-GAAP versus GAAP information is provided below in the financial statement tables in this press release.
Business Outlook
Nikola looks forward to achieving the following milestones in 2022:
•Deliver 300 to 500 production Tre BEV trucks
•Successful FCEV alpha pilot testing with Anheuser-Busch and TTSI
•Build, validate and test Tre FCEV beta trucks
•Announce location, break ground, and commence construction of the first hydrogen production hub in Arizona
•Announce two or more dispensing station partners in California
Webcast and Conference Call Information
Nikola will host a webcast to discuss its first-quarter results at 6:30 a.m. Pacific Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time) on May 5, 2022. To access the webcast, parties in the United States should follow this link: https://www.webcast-eqs.com/register/nikola20220505/en.
The live audio webcast, along with supplemental information, will be accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website at https://nikolamotor.com/investors/news?active=events. A recording of the webcast will also be available following the earnings call.
About Nikola Corporation
Nikola Corporation is globally transforming the transportation industry. As a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen station infrastructure, Nikola is driven to revolutionize the economic and environmental impact of commerce as we know it today. Founded in 2015, Nikola Corporation is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.nikolamotor.com or Twitter @nikolamotor.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to Nikola Corporation (the "Company"), including statements relating to the Company's future performance and milestones; expected timing of manufacturing facility expansion and production capacity; timing of completion of testing, production, as well as other milestones; expectations regarding the trucks’ uses and impact; and terms and potential benefits of the planned collaborations with its strategic partners. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: design and manufacturing changes and delays, including global shortages in parts and materials; general economic, financial, legal, regulatory, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; the outcome of legal, regulatory and judicial proceedings to which the Company is, or may become a party; demand for and customer
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acceptance of the Company’s trucks; the results of customer pilot testing; the execution and terms of definitive agreements; risks associated with development and testing of fuel-cell power modules and hydrogen storage systems; risks related to the rollout of the Company’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; the effects of competition on the Company’s future business; the availability of and need for capital; and the factors, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's business described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC, in addition to the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release references Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net loss, and non-GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented as supplemental measures of the Company's performance. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and certain other items determined by the Company. Non-GAAP net loss is defined as net loss adjusted for stock-based compensation expense and certain other items determined by the Company. Non-GAAP net loss per share basic and diluted is defined as non-GAAP net loss divided by weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding. These non-GAAP measures are not substitutes for or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
The Company believes that presenting these non-GAAP measures provides useful supplemental information to investors about the Company in understanding and evaluating its operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects, and allowing for greater transparency with respect to key financial metrics used by its management in financial and operational-decision making. However, there are a number of limitations related to the use of non-GAAP measures and their nearest GAAP equivalents. For example, other companies may calculate non-GAAP measures differently or may use other measures to calculate their financial performance, and therefore any non-GAAP measures the Company uses may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||
| Truck sales | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Service and other | 1,887 | — | |||||||||
| Total revenues | 1,887 | — | |||||||||
| Cost of revenues | |||||||||||
| Truck sales | — | — | |||||||||
| Service and other | 1,456 | — | |||||||||
| Total cost of revenues | 1,456 | — | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 431 | — | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
Research and development(1) | 74,557 | 55,163 | |||||||||
Selling, general, and administrative(1) | 77,183 | 65,427 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 151,740 | 120,590 | |||||||||
| Loss from operations | (151,309) | (120,590) | |||||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (211) | (9) | |||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | (434) | 951 | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 1,833 | 219 | |||||||||
| Loss before income taxes and equity in net loss of affiliates | (150,121) | (119,429) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | 1 | |||||||||
| Loss before equity in net loss of affiliates | (150,121) | (119,430) | |||||||||
| Equity in net loss of affiliates | (2,820) | (794) | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (152,941) | $ | (120,224) | |||||||
| Net loss per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.31) | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.37) | $ | (0.31) | |||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
| Basic | 415,152,656 | 392,189,851 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 415,152,656 | 392,489,761 | |||||||||
(1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 8,707 | $ | 10,322 | |||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative | 44,821 | 39,944 | |||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 53,528 | $ | 50,266 | |||||||
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 360,118 | $ | 497,241 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,339 | — | |||||||||
| Inventory | 25,847 | 11,597 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 31,730 | 15,891 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 419,034 | 524,729 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 25,000 | 25,000 | |||||||||
| Long-term deposits | 33,800 | 27,620 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 264,121 | 244,377 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 97,181 | 97,181 | |||||||||
| Investment in affiliates | 62,634 | 61,778 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 5,238 | 5,238 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 3,353 | 3,896 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 910,361 | $ | 989,819 | |||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 77,478 | $ | 86,982 | |||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 105,657 | 93,487 | |||||||||
| Debt and finance lease liabilities, current | 507 | 140 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 183,642 | 180,609 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, net of current portion | 25,045 | 25,047 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 2,542 | 2,263 | |||||||||
| Warrant liability | 4,718 | 4,284 | |||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 72,231 | 84,033 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | 11 | 11 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 288,189 | 296,247 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | |||||||||
| Common stock | 42 | 41 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 2,025,552 | 1,944,341 | |||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (1,403,553) | (1,250,612) | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 131 | (198) | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 622,172 | 693,572 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 910,361 | $ | 989,819 | |||||||
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (152,941) | $ | (120,224) | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,111 | 1,805 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 53,528 | 50,266 | |||||||||
| Non-cash in-kind services | — | 12,896 | |||||||||
| Equity in net loss of affiliates | 2,820 | 794 | |||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | 434 | (951) | |||||||||
| Inventory write-downs | 3,473 | — | |||||||||
| Other non-cash activity | (326) | 1 | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | (1,339) | — | |||||||||
| Inventory | (22,404) | — | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (14,710) | (1,758) | |||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (2,131) | 2,083 | |||||||||
| Long-term deposits | — | (4,161) | |||||||||
| Other assets | (304) | — | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (77) | — | |||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | (457) | — | |||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (131,323) | (59,249) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
| Purchases and deposits of property, plant and equipment | (30,106) | (24,521) | |||||||||
| Investments in affiliates | (3,348) | — | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (33,454) | (24,521) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 308 | 2,626 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of shares under the Tumim Purchase Agreements | 27,376 | — | |||||||||
| Payments on finance lease liabilities | (30) | (258) | |||||||||
| Payment of note payable | — | (4,100) | |||||||||
| Payments for issuance costs | — | (26) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 27,654 | (1,758) | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash | (137,123) | (85,528) | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, beginning of period | 522,241 | 849,278 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, end of period | $ | 385,118 | $ | 763,750 | |||||||
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Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Metrics to Non-GAAP
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (152,941) | $ | (120,224) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 211 | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,111 | 1,805 | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | (149,619) | (118,409) | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 53,528 | 50,266 | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | 434 | (951) | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of derivative liability | (437) | — | ||||||||||||
| Equity in net loss of affiliates | 2,820 | 794 | ||||||||||||
Regulatory and legal matters (1) | 14,122 | 14,866 | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (79,152) | $ | (53,434) | ||||||||||
(1) Regulatory and legal matters include legal, advisory, and other professional service fees incurred in connection with the short-seller article from September 2020, and investigations and litigation related thereto.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss, and GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss per Share, basic and diluted
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (152,941) | $ | (120,224) | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 53,528 | 50,266 | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | 434 | (951) | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of derivative liability | (437) | — | ||||||||||||
Regulatory and legal matters(1) | 14,122 | 14,866 | ||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss | $ | (85,294) | $ | (56,043) | ||||||||||
| Non-GAAP net loss per share: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.21) | $ | (0.14) | ||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.21) | $ | (0.14) | ||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
| Basic | 415,152,656 | 392,189,851 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 415,152,656 | 392,489,761 | ||||||||||||
(1) Regulatory and legal matters include legal, advisory, and other professional service fees incurred in connection with the short-seller article from September 2020, and investigations and litigation related thereto.
INVESTOR INQUIRIES:
investors@nikolamotor.com
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