Former Opel boss Neumann leaves Canoo

Karl-Thomas Neumann has resigned from the board of Californian eMobility-Startup Canoo (formerly Evelozcity). Despite the move, it seems that Neumann does not plan to return to Germany just yet.

On Twitter, Neumann confirmed the move reported by the German business publication Manager Magazin. Although the former Opel boss has left the Canoo board, he will apparently continue to be involved in the company as a consultant and investor and plans to continue his future in Los Angeles.

“Together we have achieved a great deal: a great and unique vehicle, a new subscription-based business model and a brand that drives all this forward,” wrote Neumann. However, he did not further explain his retreat from the Californian startup other than saying he needed “more freedom for my other projects” after hardly more than a year on the board. He added that his move should give him the room to “expand his executive board and investment positions in the highly interesting new mobility segment”.

The former board member of Volkswagen China and former Opel boss set up and expanded the Evelozcity start-up in California. The company, which was founded in 2017, is headed by Stefan Krause, who, like his other Canoo colleague Ulrich Kranz, first worked for BMW. Neumann joined Evoluzcity – now Canoo – in April 2018.

Thank you to everyone @we_canoo! It was a great experience and I am glad that I will be close to you guys being an investor and advisor. My move will give me more freedom to extend my board and investment positions in the super interesting field of #NewMobility. KTN

— Karl-Thomas Neumann (@KT_Neumann) July 17, 2019

The Californian startup changed its name from Evoluzcity to Canoo in March 2019. Canoo intends to launch four electric models on the market, which will be built by a contract manufacturer and distributed by subscription. Canoo itself wants to remain slim and agile. A lifestyle vehicle, a commuter vehicle, a delivery vehicle and a ride-hailing vehicle are planned. All Stromer vehicles will be based on the same platform, which should provide a range of up to 300 miles (approx. 480 km).

manager-magazin.de (in German), twitter.com, twitter.com, twitter.com (Neumann’s statements in English)