19.Commitments and contingencies
Commitments
On February 17, 2023, the Company announced a voluntary recall of the SOLO. On April 14, 2023, the Company issued a stop-drive and stop-sell notice and has notified customers of a vehicle buy-back program for all 429 G2 and G3 SOLO vehicles sold since the release in 2021. The basis of the recall was due to the vehicle potentially experiencing a loss of propulsion while driving. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, a recall provision of $8,915,044 was recorded as an estimate of the cost to buy-back all retailed vehicles, which was included in trade payables and accrued liabilities within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
On March 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Design and Supply Agreement (the “Design Agreement”) with GLV, LLC (“GLV”), pursuant to which GLV will provide design, development, and manufacturing services for the planned E4, the Company’s anticipated 4-wheel electric passenger vehicle. The estimated cost as set out in the Design Agreement is $13,692,000, where 80% will be paid during 2023 with the remaining costs to be paid in 2024. The Company may terminate the Design Agreement upon 30 days written notice to GLV under special circumstances or due to breach of contract. The Company will be responsible for the costs of any finished and conforming products delivered to the Company as well as the costs of the required materials on hand at GLV’s purchase price. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $9,584,400 and $nil commitments, respectively, under the Design Agreement.
Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may from time to time become subject to legal proceedings and claims arising in connection with ongoing business activities. The results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable resolutions are possible and could materially affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. In addition, regardless of the outcome, litigation could have an adverse impact on the Company as a result of legal fees, the diversion of management’s time and attention and other factors.
On December 20, 2022, the Company gave notice to Zongshen to immediately cease all production of SOLO vehicles due to the economic hardship and issues noted with the vehicles. As a result, Zongshen claimed $22.8 million in relation to the termination of the Manufacturing Agreement and Extension Agreement. The Company was working together with legal counsel on achieving an agreement for the termination of the Manufacturing Agreement. The Company estimated a $15.7 million termination provision, representing the Company’s best assessment of the settlement amount, which is presented as a contract termination liability within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. On February 16, 2023, the Company gave notice to Zongshen of potential claims against it for supplying defective products, which Zongshen has denied. On May 8, 2023, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Zongshen relating to the Manufacturing Agreement (see Note 20 for additional information).
20.Subsequent events
On April 14, 2023, the Company issued a stop-drive and stop-sell notice and has notified customers of a vehicle buy-back program for all 429 G2 and G3 SOLO vehicles sold since the release in 2021. The basis of the recall was due to the vehicle potentially experiencing a loss of propulsion while driving. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, a recall provision of $8,915,044 was recorded as an estimate of the cost to buy-back all retailed vehicles, which was included in trade payables and accrued liabilities within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
On May 8, 2023, the Company entered into a settlement deed (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Zongshen, effective as of May 4, 2023. The Settlement Agreement resolves all outstanding claims relating to the Manufacturing Agreement and the related cancellation notice and defective notice provided by the Company to Zongshen (collectively, the “Agreement and Notices”). Pursuant to the Manufacturing Agreement, Zongshen had agreed to manufacture the Company’s SOLO vehicles, and the Company agreed to certain target purchase volumes for the period from June 1, 2021 to November 30, 2023.