Failed EV Startup Bollinger Motors Forced to Sell Everything After Court Ruling
Out of Business
EV startup, Bollinger, is facing a court order that will officially put it out of business, possibly for good. The company's assets will be auctioned off to cover its unpaid bills. Suppliers sued and won, so the court is now ordering the defunct EV company to sell its assets to pay what it owes.
Founded in Hobart, New York, in 2014, Bollinger Motors aimed to develop an electric off-road vehicle. Taking cues from classics, Bollinger's first few efforts looked a lot like the classic Land Rover Defenders or vintage Ford Broncos. Fast forward to 2022, and Mullen Automotive bought a controlling stake in the company and redirected it away from consumer to commercial vehicles.
After a while, the company closed its doors by the end of November 2025. The date is now April 2026, and it appears that Bollinger's current situation may see its doors closed permanently, with the company selling off its remaining assets to pay its suppliers, Crain's Detroit reports.
Assets for Liabilities
Once a venture for electric off-roaders, now a commercial-vehicle brand headed to the auction block. According to the report, the assets and equipment under Bollinger will be sold off at an online auction. While it may not sound like a great deal to you and me, perhaps other businesses could find uses for the equipment, such as battery testing and validation systems, and vehicle lifts and tooling. There are also other assets that are up for grabs, probably office equipment, furnishings, and inventory parts and units that didn't sell.
Apart from the assets, more than 20 units of the Bollinger B4 Class 4 electric truck will be made available. Whether or not it's a good idea to purchase a car from a defunct company is up to the buyer's discretion, but don't let me stop you.
More Liabilities
Apart from not being able to pay its suppliers, Bollinger is also facing investigations by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, following numerous complaints about unpaid wages and benefits to its employees.
Bollinger stated that it would invest $44 million in the Detroit auto industry and create 237 jobs. However, it appears that the promise will remain unfulfilled. Now, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. is seeking about $1,000,000 of the $3,000,000 grant disbursed to the company in 2023.
Bollinger to Bounce Back?
While Bollinger Motors may not bounce back from this, perhaps its founder and former CEO could make something of the situation. Robert Bollinger bought the intellectual property and prototypes of the original B1 and B2 models for less than $250,000. This was done after a receivership order from a judge in Ohio.
While we might not see his name on the masthead, a new brand may rise, based on the two electric off-roaders that Bollinger wanted to make in the first place. Although it might be a good idea not to use his last name on the next one.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 7:45 AM.