Nikola Corporation (NKLA) Hosts CEO Fireside Chat and Q&A Webcast with Steve Girsky Conference (Transcript)

Summary of Nikola Corporation Conference Call Company Overview - Company: Nikola Corporation (NASDAQ: NKLA) - Industry: Zero-emission transportation, specifically focusing on hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric trucks Key Points Market Position and Opportunity - Nikola sees significant potential in the zero-emission Class A truck market, claiming a competitive edge over larger OEMs who are skeptical about the technology's viability until late in the decade [4][6] - The company believes it has a similar opportunity to what Tesla experienced, with a two-year head start on competitors in the hydrogen fuel cell electric truck segment [15] Revenue Model - Nikola aims to capture downstream revenue, which is expected to be more profitable and less cyclical than initial vehicle sales. This includes servicing, financing, and insurance [5] Production and Deliveries - Production of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks began on July 31, with the first vehicle coming off the line two weeks prior to the call. Deliveries to dealers are expected to start in late September and early October [14] - The company has received over 210 non-binding orders for the hydrogen fuel cell truck from major fleet operators [15] Financial Position - Nikola raised $125 million recently and improved its cash position through reduced cash burn, which is expected to support operations through the fuel cell launch and into the next year [6][20] - The company increased its unrestricted cash position by$107 million in Q2 [20] Challenges and Recalls - Nikola issued a voluntary recall for its battery electric trucks due to thermal incidents linked to battery packs from Romeo Power. The recall involves returning trucks to the Coolidge facility for repairs [8][12] - The recall does not affect the production or delivery of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, as they use a different battery pack [15] Hydrogen Infrastructure - Nikola is establishing a hydrogen refueling ecosystem in California, which has strong incentives for zero-emission trucks. The state is a key market due to its regulations and incentives [17] - The company plans to deploy at least nine hydrogen mobile fuelers in California to support operations [17] Future Outlook - Nikola is focused on executing the battery electric truck recall and ensuring adequate fueling solutions for hydrogen fuel cell trucks. The company aims for profitability by the end of 2025 [19][20] - The management expresses confidence in overcoming current challenges and appreciates customer support during this transition [20] Incentives and Customer Demand - California's innovative small e-fleet program offers significant vouchers for customers, enhancing the economic viability of Nikola's trucks [10][17] Additional Important Information - The call included a forward-looking statement cautioning that actual results may differ from expectations due to various factors [11] - The company has a new board member, John Vesco, who brings extensive experience in transportation and supply chain [7]