Executive Commentary
“We made significant progress toward launching the Endurance during the first quarter, notwithstanding unprecedented supply chain challenges. Our highest priority remains getting the Endurance into customers’ hands so they can experience the unique attributes of the truck themselves,” said Daniel Ninivaggi, CEO of Lordstown Motors. “We also continue to work closely with Foxconn to close our pending transaction and strengthen our manufacturing and product development partnership.”
Edward Hightower, President of Lordstown Motors, continued, “We cannot wait for more customers to experience the Endurance, as we expect that they will love it. The performance of the Endurance in testing to date has correlated well with the performance predicted by our computer aided engineering (CAE) analyses. For example, our FMVSS frontal, side, and rear crash test results have been positive, and we are still predicting 5-star NCAP performance for the vehicle.”
First Quarter 2022 results
In the first quarter, we incurred $87.9 million in operating expenses as we continue our progress towards the commercial launch of the Endurance. Research and development costs totaled $61.9 million, including $21.9 million in expenses associated with operating the Lordstown facility, $20.2 million for engineering testing and development costs and $19.7 million for Endurance prototype components. Compared to prior quarters, the Lordstown facility costs continue to increase as the Company hires more employees and activity rises as we prepare for launch. Engineering, testing and development expenses decreased in the first quarter versus each of the prior four quarters. Costs related to vehicle components for building PPVs and testing were flat compared to the fourth quarter, but 60% higher compared to the third quarter, primarily related to building PPVs.
SG&A was $26.0 million in the quarter, flat versus the fourth quarter, and down 16.8% and 23.0% from the third and second quarters of 2021, respectively. The decreases were due to legal and professional fees being lower in the first quarter versus the third and second quarters offset by higher insurance and miscellaneous costs. Legal costs however, are likely to remain elevated due to ongoing litigation and the SEC investigation.
Net cash used by operations for the first quarter of 2022 totaled $69.0 million, with our net loss of $89.6 million offset by $8.3 million in non-cash items and $12.1 million in working capital benefit. Capital expenditures totaled $21.9 million, including $10.7 million of investments in manufacturing readiness and $10.2 million on tooling for the Endurance. We also received the second $50 million APA purchase price down payment from Foxconn along with $0.5 million in proceeds from employee stock option exercises. As a result, the net decrease in cash in the quarter was $40.6 million.
On March 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $203.5 million. Including the $50 million final purchase price down payment from Foxconn received on April 15th, along with $30 million remaining purchase price under the APA and $27 million estimated reimbursement of certain operating and expansion costs to be received at closing, the Company’s pro forma cash balance would have been over $300 million. The APA remains subject to closing conditions and may not be consummated. Please refer to “Forward Looking Statements” below.
“Our team members are incredibly committed and continue to work tirelessly to execute on our priorities,” said Adam Kroll, Chief Financial Officer of Lordstown. “We are managing through a tough