Bollinger Motors in Oak Park Misses Payroll Amid Financial Issues

Unpaid Wages Reported at Bollinger Motors in Oak Park

Bollinger Motors in Oak Park, Michigan has failed to pay employees for two pay periods due to a shortage of available funds. The company communicated the delays through emails sent by Chief Operating Officer Walter Collins on Oct. 31 and Nov. 6. According to those emails, Bollinger Motors had not yet secured the funding needed to process payroll.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity currently has 59 open claims against the company for unpaid wages or benefits. A department spokesperson confirmed that these claims remain under investigation.

Founder and Suppliers File Lawsuits Over Unpaid Debts

The financial problems at Bollinger Motors have led to multiple lawsuits. In March, founder Robert Bollinger sued the company to recover a $10 million loan he provided in October of the previous year. The company repaid the loan using funds from its parent company, Mullen Automotive, and exited receivership in June.

At least six suppliers have also filed lawsuits seeking more than $5 million in overdue payments. These actions add to the company's ongoing financial pressures and legal challenges.

Company Operations and Leadership Changes

Bollinger Motors was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Oak Park, with vehicle-building operations in Livonia. Its website lists the B4 chassis cab truck as available for order along with two SUV prototypes, the B1 and B2. A larger truck, the B5, is planned for release in 2026.

In 2022, Mullen Automotive purchased a majority stake in Bollinger. In June, Mullen’s CEO David Michery took over leadership of Bollinger and renamed it Bollinger Innovations. Under his leadership, the company has reduced staff, property, and assets.

Nasdaq Filing Shows Cost-Cutting Efforts

In September, Bollinger notified Nasdaq that it had reduced its quarterly cash burn from $21.2 million to $8.9 million. Despite these measures, financial strain continues, and a reporter observed several commercial trucks on the lot at the company’s Oak Park facility.