Nikola appoints a new Chief Executive Officer

Michael Lohscheller will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nikola Corporation effectively immediately and as a member of the Board of Directors effective as of August 31, 2023.

Phoenix, United States –Nikola Corporation., a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen station infrastructure, via the HYLA brand, announced Michael Lohscheller will step down as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nikola Corporation effectively immediately and as a member of the Board of Directors effective as of August 31, 2023. Steve Girsky, Chairman of the Board since September 2020, has been named CEO of Nikola.

Lohscheller has led Nikola to various accomplishments including driving sales momentum of the battery-electric truck, doubling retail sales from Q1 to Q2 2023; supporting the launch of the Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck and generating customer demand; further advancing the organization’s production capabilities in Coolidge, Ariz.; substantially reducing the cash burn by more than 30% from Q1 to Q2 2023 through re-focusing the business; and concentrating on the core North American marketplace as well as creating a new global hydrogen energy brand, HYLA.

Mr. Stephen Girsky the appointed CEO of Nikola said, “The Board respects Michael’s decision to be with his family during this time and thanks him for his hard work, dedication, and contributions to Nikola. I am grateful for all that Michael was able to accomplish to move our company forward during his tenure. Since Nikola’s inception, I have been a champion of its mission. I am energized to take on this role and build upon the work of Michael and the team. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of Nikola’s executives during my time on the Board and look forward to working with them as well as our talented employees as we continue to execute on our strategy and deliver on our milestones to best serve our valued partners, customers, and suppliers.”

Mr. Lohscheller fomer CEO of Nikola said, “I feel privileged and honored to have served as Nikola’s CEO and to have worked with so many inspiring colleagues who are relentlessly focused on advancing Nikola’s position as a leader in zero-emissions transportation. I am incredibly confident in Nikola’s future."

Girsky with a careeer spanning more than 30 years of working with corporate board executives, labor leaders, OEM leaders, suppliers, dealers, and national policymakers,  is unique in his proven ability to translate vision and strategy into world-class execution, bringing together teams and solutions to drive results.

In connection with his appointment as CEO, Girsky will remain on the Board of Directors and Steve Shindler, a director since October 2020, will serve as Chairman of the Board. Shindler is a veteran executive who has significant corporate financial management and strategic planning experience. He has served in c-suite positions, including most recently as CEO of NII from 2012 until August 2017, as well as from 2000 to 2008, where he successfully transformed the company from a start-up operation into a leading wireless provider.