Oak Park’s Bollinger Motors Names LaFontaine Automotive Group as First Dealer Partner

Oak Park-based electric commercial truck manufacturer Bollinger Motors Inc. has selected LaFontaine Automotive Group, based in Waterford Township, as its first authorized dealer.
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Men shaking hands
Jim Connelly, chief revenue officer at Bollinger Motors, and Brian Frania, commercial and fleet director at LaFontaine Automotive Group, are introducing the commercial EV manufacturer’s first sales and service dealerships in Michigan. // Photo courtesy of Bollinger Motors

Oak Park-based electric commercial truck manufacturer Bollinger Motors Inc. has selected LaFontaine Automotive Group, based in Waterford Township, as its first authorized dealer.

The first two outlets will be located in Farmington Hills, LaFontaine Bollinger Farmington Hills (30250 Grand River Ave.), and in Lansing, LaFontaine Bollinger Lansing (3625 S Pennsylvania Ave.).

The Bollinger B4 Chassis Cab is an all-new, all-electric class 4 commercial truck designed from the ground up with fleet and upfitter input. Bollinger’s chassis design protects the 800V battery and components to offer what it calls “unparalleled safety in the commercial market.” The company anticipates deliveries of the B4 chassis cab to begin in the second half of 2024.

“We are thrilled to work with LaFontaine right here in Michigan where we designed, and will build, the B4,” says Robert Bollinger, founder and CEO of Bollinger Motors. “LaFontaine shares our commitment to quality and customer service.”

According to LaFontaine, the acquisition brings its portfolio to 54 retail franchises and 39 retail locations, with additional announcements planned later in 2024.

“Our partnership with Bollinger Motors is a true testament to the dedicated team we have and our commitment to providing our commercial customers a personalized experience that extends far past the sale of the vehicle,” says Ryan LaFontaine, CEO of the LaFontaine Automotive Group.

“We focus not only on exceeding customer expectations during the sale, but providing service, repair, parts, and accessories for our customers as well,” “As we expand our commercial vehicle offering, this partnership aligns with our long-term vision of growth and expansion, allowing us to serve a broader customer base and strengthen our strategically located presence across Michigan.”

Brian Frania, commercial and fleet director at LaFontaine Automotive Group, says Bollinger is joining a retailer experiencing growth in both commercial units sold and serviced.

“Our strategically developed plan to offer sales and service nationwide is being kicked off with LaFontaine,” says Jim Connelly, chief revenue officer at Bollinger Motors. “Additional dealer partners will be announced soon, showing our commitment to fleets in all 50 states.”

The announcement follows a series of Bollinger Motors moves in recent months, including partnerships with Our Next Energy in Novi to supply the company with batteries and related components and Roush Industries in Livonia to manage vehicle assembly operations.

In addition, the company recently qualified for federal clean vehicle tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of $40,000 per vehicle for the B4 chassis cab.

For more information on Bollinger Motors, visit here. For more information on the LaFontaine Automotive Group, visit here.