Former Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller has been employed by Nikola as president and tasked with serving to the U.S. electrical truck maker ramp up manufacturing.

Lohscheller joins Nikola after a brief stint as CEO of VinFast International, the automotive arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.

Lohscheller arrived at VinFast in July 2021 however stepped down 5 months later and moved again to Europe for private causes, in line with the corporate.

Previous to that he was served as CEO at Opel underneath three totally different mum or dad firms: Common Motors, PSA Group and Stellantis.

GM agreed to promote Opel to PSA Group in 2017 and PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Vehicles in 2021 to kind Stellantis.

After shedding tens of billions underneath GM possession, Opel’s funds had been introduced into the black by Lohscheller, who was named an Automotive Information Europe Eurostar in 2019 for his function within the German model’s turnaround.

Earlier than leaving Opel Lohscheller introduced that it will be an electric-only model in Europe by 2028.

“As Nikola strikes into world manufacturing, an skilled and revered trade veteran like Michael strengthens the Nikola workforce,” Stephen Girsky, Nikola board chairman stated in a press release. “He is aware of his manner across the manufacturing flooring, board rooms and showrooms and has labored with the newest applied sciences all through his profession.”

Lohscheller’s profession has additionally included roles in finance, know-how, buying and logistics at Mitsubishi Europe and Volkswagen, the place he was VW Group of America govt vp. He’ll report back to Nikola CEO Mark Russell.

Nikola’s first battery-powered fashions are scheduled to be delivered to prospects within the U.S. early subsequent 12 months, with a gas cell model slated to observe by the tip of 2023. The automobiles will likely be manufactured in Germany.

Nikola has been making an attempt to bounce again from a credibility disaster spurred by inaccurate statements its founder Trevor Milton made earlier than and after its merger with a Girsky-led particular objective acquisition firm in June 2020.

Milton resigned in September 2020, and federal prosecutors accused him in July of final 12 months of mendacity to traders about Nikola’s enterprise and capabilities. He has pleaded not responsible.