David Michery: The Music Exec Who Wants to Remake the EV Market

David Michery is the founder and CEO of Mullen Automotive. A former music executive, he pivoted to EVs with a unique strategy: acquiring distressed assets. By buying brands like Coda, Bollinger, and ELMS, he aims to build an electric empire not from scratch, but by assembling the parts of others.

The Unlikely Auto CEO

In an industry dominated by MIT engineers and Silicon Valley tech bros, David Michery stands out. Before he was selling electric cars, he was selling platinum records. For over 25 years, Michery was an executive in the music industry, working with labels like Virgin and Universal. He brings a promoter's energy to the automotive world, often focusing on bold promises and flashy reveals.

Building Mullen from Parts

Michery founded Mullen Technologies in 2014 with a unique strategy: instead of reinventing the wheel, buy those who already have. He started by acquiring the remnants of Coda Automotive, a failed EV startup, to get a foothold in battery technology. This pattern became his signature. He didn't just want to build a car; he wanted to build a conglomerate by scooping up undervalued assets.

The Acquisition Spree

Michery's ambition went into overdrive after taking Mullen public via a reverse merger in 2021. In a short span, he acquired a controlling interest in Bollinger Motors (giving him access to electric trucks) and purchased the assets of the bankrupt Electric Last Mile Solutions (ELMS), including a massive factory in Indiana. Critics call it a risky house of cards; Michery calls it an efficient way to scale production capacity overnight.

Fighting for Legitimacy

Michery's tenure has been defined by a constant battle for credibility. He has faced short-seller reports, delisting threats from Nasdaq, and skepticism about his bold range claims for the Mullen FIVE crossover. Yet, he remains defiant, constantly pushing for the next deal, the next tour, and the next capital raise, determined to prove that a music man can beat the car giants at their own game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is David Michery and what is his vision for Mullen Automotive in 2026?

<p><strong>David Michery</strong> is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of <strong>Mullen Automotive</strong> (NASDAQ: MULN). With a background spanning over 30 years in entertainment and distressed asset restructuring, Michery entered the EV space by acquiring the assets of <strong>Coda Automotive</strong> and Mullen Motor Cars. In 2026, his vision centers on establishing a dominant U.S. manufacturing footprint for both commercial electric vans and consumer crossovers, aiming to make clean transportation accessible to all price points.</p>

How did David Michery build Mullen Automotive from acquired assets?

<p>David Michery’s strategy involved a "strategic union" of existing technologies. He combined the battery development and testing capabilities of the defunct <strong>Coda Automotive</strong> with the performance heritage of <strong>Mullen Motor Cars</strong> (creators of the 2007 Mullen GT). This allowed him to launch <strong>Mullen Technologies</strong> in 2014 without the multi-billion dollar R&D overhead typical of new startups, focusing instead on refining existing architectures for the modern American market.</p>

What is the status of the Mullen FIVE crossover in 2026?

<p>In 2026, the <strong>Mullen FIVE</strong> serves as the brand’s flagship consumer electric vehicle. Following its award-winning debut at the LA Auto Show, the vehicle entered its final engineering freeze and validation stages under Michery’s direction. The 2026 production models feature the patented <strong>PERSONA</strong> technology, which uses facial recognition to customize vehicle settings, performance profiles, and infotainment for the driver.</p>

What was David Michery’s role in the acquisition of Bollinger Motors?

<p>In a major expansion move in 2022, David Michery led the acquisition of a majority stake in <strong>Bollinger Motors</strong>. This was a strategic pivot to dominate the medium-duty commercial truck market. By 2026, this move has allowed Mullen to offer <strong>Class 4 through Class 6</strong> electric chassis cabs (the Bollinger B4 and B5), positioning the company as a "one-stop shop" for American commercial fleets seeking to meet 2026 emissions mandates.</p>

How does David Michery’s "Solid-State Battery" roadmap look in 2026?

<p>Michery has been a vocal proponent of <strong>Solid-State Polymer</strong> battery technology. Under his leadership, Mullen established a dedicated energy division to develop packs that offer higher energy density and improved safety over traditional lithium-ion. In 2026, Mullen is actively testing these solid-state packs in its commercial Class 1 van fleet, aiming to provide a range increase of over 50% compared to standard liquid-electrolyte batteries.</p>

Why did David Michery focus on commercial EVs before passenger cars?

<p>David Michery prioritized <strong>commercial electric vehicles</strong> (Class 1, 2, and 3) because of the immediate demand from last-mile delivery and telecommunications fleets in the USA. By starting production at the <strong>Tunica, Mississippi</strong> plant in 2023, he aimed to generate early revenue and prove the reliability of Mullen’s powertrains in "real-world" industrial cycles before the full-scale consumer launch of the Mullen FIVE.</p>

What is the significance of the Mishawaka, Indiana plant for Mullen?

<p>David Michery secured the 650,000-square-foot <strong>Mishawaka, Indiana</strong> plant through the acquisition of Electric Last Mile Solutions (<abbr title="Electric Last Mile Solutions">ELMS</abbr>) assets. This facility is the heart of Mullen’s 2026 consumer vehicle strategy. Michery repurposed the plant to house the assembly lines for the Mullen FIVE and the <strong>Mullen GT</strong> supercar, leveraging Indiana’s deep automotive labor pool and central logistics location.</p>

How does David Michery address the "Naked Shorting" lawsuit and market volatility?

<p>In a move to protect shareholders, David Michery initiated a high-profile lawsuit in 2023 against major broker-dealers, alleging <strong>illegal naked short selling</strong> of MULN stock. Throughout 2024 and 2025, he remained a polarizing figure on financial news outlets like <em>Fox Business</em>, advocating for stricter market regulations. His 2026 strategy involves maintaining a "strong balance sheet" through new financing commitments to offset stock volatility and reach cash-flow positivity.</p>

What is the "Mullen Go" commercial vehicle in the 2026 lineup?

<p>The <strong>Mullen Go</strong> is a compact urban delivery vehicle that Michery introduced to the European and American markets. Designed for dense city environments where traditional vans are too large, it represents Michery’s <strong>"Bridge Strategy"</strong>—using global partnerships to bring proven, smaller-scale electric platforms to the US market quickly to meet the immediate needs of "last-mile" urban logistics.</p>

What are the key leadership team members working with David Michery?

<p>To execute his 2026 goals, Michery has surrounded himself with industry veterans, including:</p><ul><li><strong>John Taylor:</strong> VP of Manufacturing, one of the first 50 employees at Tesla who built the original Model S architecture.</li><li><strong>Jonathan New:</strong> Chief Financial Officer (<abbr title="Chief Financial Officer">CFO</abbr>), managing the company’s capital-raising and public filings.</li><li><strong>Marianne McInerney:</strong> Chief Strategy Officer, focusing on government relations and domestic policy.</li></ul>