Mullen Automotive has hired former General Motors executive John Schwegman as the electric vehicle maker’s chief commercial officer.
Schwegman spent 35 years at GM in a variety of marketing-related roles, most recently senior director of global marketing for Chevrolet products, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Mullen, of Brea, Calif., said Schwegman will primarily focus on growing the Class 1-6 electric light- and medium-duty truck segment, including the yet-to-launch Class 1 and 2 Mullen One. .
Schwegman’s experience selling fleet vehicles, particularly when he was GM’s commercial product director in the 2010s, provides a wealth of experience for the job. Schwegman was a key player in GM’s attempt to compete with Ford in the commercial fleet market.
“John has considerable experience selling commercial automobiles, which makes him a highly strategic addition to Mullen,” David Michery, CEO of Mullen Automotive, said in a statement.
Last month, Mullen acquired a majority stake in fellow electric vehicle maker Bollinger Motors, of Oak Park, Michigan, for $148 million – part of a bid to bring together struggling startups from the Detroit area to enter a crowded electric vehicle market.
The purchase brought Bollinger’s recently announced Class 4 Chassis Cab, the B4, into Mullen’s fold. Bollinger has been plagued with issues since its launch in 2015, especially around release windows. The automaker’s B1 SUV and B2 pickups were postponed indefinitely last January.
Mullen acquired all of the assets of Electric Last Mile Solutions Inc., of Troy, Mich. — another struggling electric fleet startup — last week. Mullen made an offer on the bankrupt company in September for “nearly $100 million in total consideration.”
Schwegman said in a statement that he is looking forward to his new role.
“I was impressed with Mullen’s strategic approach, including Mullen’s portfolio, factories and speed to market,” Schwegman said. “Mullen’s strategy, combined with my experience in commercial vehicles and strong fleet and dealer relationships, will allow us to build a highly competitive commercial electric vehicle story.”
Despite buying financially forged startups, Mullen has faced plenty of financial troubles himself, with his stock plummeting more than 93% in the past year. The automaker’s stock price is 50 cents.
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