Mullen Automotive (NASDAQ: MULN) has announced a strategic expansion of its subsidiary Bollinger Motors' retail network into California's Central Valley through a partnership with Affinity Truck Center, a family-owned business with a 44-year history in the transportation industry. Affinity Truck Center, with sales locations in Bakersfield and Fresno and service centers in Paso Robles and Salinas, now joins Bollinger Motors' official dealer network, providing significant regional presence. Jim Connelly, Chief Revenue Officer of Bollinger, emphasized that this partnership gives Bollinger Motors a strong foothold in California's Central Valley and noted Affinity's history in providing diverse transportation options positions them well to support electrification efforts.
This expansion coincides with Mullen Automotive's recent commercial vehicle production commencement at its Tunica, Mississippi plant and IRS approval for federal EV tax credits on its commercial vehicles, offering eligible customers up to $7,500 per vehicle through the Qualified Manufacturer designation. The company's product lineup includes the Mullen ONE Class 1 EV cargo van and Mullen THREE Class 3 EV cab chassis truck, both certified by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) and EPA for nationwide sale. These developments signal Mullen's commitment to growing its commercial EV market presence.
The partnership holds particular significance given California's leadership in EV adoption and stringent emissions regulations, with the Central Valley's agricultural and logistics industries presenting prime opportunities for electric commercial vehicle introduction. This expansion could accelerate cleaner transportation adoption in a region crucial to California's economy as businesses face increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints. For Mullen Automotive, this represents strategic positioning to tap into growing electric commercial vehicle demand in one of the nation's most important economic regions.
Mullen's broader strategy leverages partnerships to extend reach and capabilities, benefiting from local market knowledge and existing customer relationships through collaborations with established dealers like Affinity Truck Center. As the EV industry evolves rapidly, building a robust retail and service network becomes increasingly important, with this expansion enhancing Bollinger's sales ability while ensuring Central Valley customers access necessary support and maintenance services. With this strategic move, Mullen Automotive and Bollinger Motors position themselves to play a significant role in commercial fleet electrification in California's Central Valley as they continue developing production capabilities and expanding retail networks in the competitive electric vehicle market.
