A photo of Canoo's Pick Up truck prototype for the DoD has just started circulating.
Last week we posted an article about the requirements the US Army wanted in their testing prototypes for the eLRV program, along with the idea that other Armed Forces would be interested in the Canoo Platform.
This photo shows a never before seen Canoo Pick Up truck with military stylings, driving near their current HQ in Justin, Texas.
We take note of the following:
Beefier front bumper, with towing lugs, or maybe an attachment space for a winch or plow?
The cab is smaller than we've seen in the other Pick Up Truck prototypes.
The bed is probably a standard 8' with the reduction in cab space.
Added door into the side of the bed, for tool storage or access to the MPP?
Appears to be a monitor on the upper passenger side A pillar. Could just be for diagnostics.
This layout and appearance isn't completely new, Canoo did have renders of a Pick Up truck with similar build layout in late 2020.
This raises some additional questions. Is this truck supposed to be the one the US Army ordered? The original RFP had a deliver-by due date of August 31st so we had assumed Canoo already handed over a vehicle for testing. Although we note that Lordstown Motors was also awarded the same contract after that deliver by date had passed so maybe it was extended and this is indeed what Canoo will give to the Army.
Another alternative is this prototype is intended for a different branch under the DoD for pilot testing their own programs.
Whomever the intended owner is, we're excited to see progress and hope to get some more details at next weeks Earning Release Conference on Wednesday November 9th, 2022.
Authors disclosures: I am long Canoo - I own common shares, warrants and call options.
It appears to me that this vehicle has a glass front, indicating a knee window, instead of the "frunk" that the pickup truck is slated to have. Me, I prefer the frunk, but what do I know? I'd rather have the extra storage over being able so see peoples' dogs and shoes as they cross.