Lightyear canned its debut model, the 0, less than two months after the sleek fastback hatch with a world-leading drag coefficient went into production.
In an update released on Monday, the Dutch EV startup announced that it had made the decision to redirect its focus and resources to the more affordable, higher-volume 2 hatchback revealed earlier this month.
The company also mentioned the need for a court to initiate a “payment proceeding” in relation to Atlas Technologies, a subsidiary responsible for the production of the 0 decision.
“The entire process of developing Lightyear 0 has brought many valuable lessons to our company over the past few years,” said Lex Hoefsloot, CEO and co-founder of Lightyear, in a statement. “We are now focusing all of our energy on building Lightyear 2 to make it available to customers on schedule.”
Lightyear 0 production at Valmet Automotive in Finland
Lightyear has previously said the 2 will debut in the summer and begin deliveries around 2025. The company has also confirmed a starting price of less than 40,000 euros (approx. US$43,450). The 0 cost from 250,000 euros ($271,575). It is not clear if any cars were actually delivered.
In its latest update, Lightyear said the 2 was developed alongside the 0, suggesting the car is already in the late stages of development. Like the 0, the 2 will also have solar cells and in-wheel motors.
According to Lightyear, 40,000 people have been placed on a waiting list for more information on the 2 and 20,000 pre-orders have already been placed by fleet customers.
Production of the 0 was taken over by Finnish company Valmet, the contract manufacturer that once built the extended-range Fisker Karma EV. Lightyear hasn’t said where it plans to build the 2.
