FX
Forza X1, Inc. (FRZA)·Q3 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2023 marked Forza’s first reported net sales of $18,559 and a materially narrower net loss of $1.046M (-$0.07 EPS), improving sequentially from Q2 (-$1.484M, -$0.13 EPS) and year-over-year (-$1.043M, -$0.12 EPS) .
- Management narrowed revenue timing to begin in early 2024 (vs. “late 2023 and early 2024” communicated in Q2), while highlighting small-batch production progress and facility construction now underway in North Carolina .
- Operational catalysts include the OneWater Marine initial 100-boat order (~$12.0M expected revenue), California dealership demos planned in early 2024, and continued OEM electrification projects with Polaris .
- Liquidity remains solid with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of ~$15.335M as of 9/30/23 (cash burn ~$1.1M in Q3), supporting the transition from prototyping to early commercialization in 2024 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Initial commercial traction: OneWater Marine’s order for 100 F22 boats represents ~$12.0M in expected revenue, enabling conventional dealer channel access and early 2024 demos in Southern California (“premier” dealership) .
- Product readiness and performance: F22 reached speeds of up to 40 mph, with integrated 100 kWh batteries and proprietary outboard power; charging via off-the-shelf Level 2 or marina shore power underscores consumer-friendly usability .
- Execution on manufacturing footprint: Full construction is underway at the North Carolina site with ~10-month timeline; the 60,000 sq. ft. facility targets 500 boats/year capacity and will serve as technology/fabrication center .
Management quotes:
- “We intend to be among the first to develop and manufacture electric boats targeting the recreational market.”
- “We are currently building 1 boat a month…we will ramp up to 2 per month as we officially begin production for retail use in early 2024.”
- “The building will be capable of producing 500 boats annually or more and will serve as the technology and fabrication center for Forza X1.”
What Went Wrong
- Revenue timing narrowed to early 2024 from “late 2023 and early 2024,” implying a modest delay versus prior expectations; commercialization remains ahead but still contingent on ramp and demand .
- Minimal net sales in the quarter ($18,559) and continued operating losses reflect early-stage status and ongoing prototype/testing investment; Q3 gross loss labeling indicates limited margin visibility .
- Battery technology remains under active experimentation (including LFP trials and stacked 300HP variants), raising near-term execution complexity and potential timeline variability .
Financial Results
Notes:
- Q3 2023 shows first net sales and best quarterly EPS since Q4 2022 comparisons provided; sequential improvements driven by lower OpEx and higher other income .
Segment breakdown:
- No segment reporting disclosed in the quarter’s materials .
KPIs
Guidance Changes
No formal quantitative guidance on revenue ranges, margins, OpEx, OI&E, tax rate, or dividends was issued in Q3 materials .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- Strategic vision: “We are focused on the creation and implementation of marine EV technology…utilizing our proprietary outboard electric motor.”
- Product readiness: “We are currently building 1 boat a month…we will ramp up to 2 per month as we officially begin production for retail use in early 2024.”
- Commercial channel: “OneWater…has placed an initial order for 100 units…This initial 100 boat order should generate approximately $12 million in revenue for our company.”
- Manufacturing footprint: “Full construction is underway…expected to last for approximately ten months…capable of producing 500 boats annually or more.”
Q&A Highlights
- 2024 deliveries: Management plans to start at 2 boats/month in early 2024 and targets exiting 2024 at 3–4 boats/week, contingent on demand and facility completion .
- Battery progress: Active trials with multiple vendors under NDA; focus on safety, BMS improvements, power density, and cost structure with confidence in current trajectory .
- Polaris/OEM sales opportunity: Continued prototyping with intention to trial a 300HP motor and lighter LFP battery; methodical approach to introduction; relationship remains strong .
- Kit economics: Discussion referenced ~$50,000 per electrification unit as a scale-appropriate approximation; potential penetration of 5–10% within a 15,000-unit/year model highlights longer-term TAM, subject to OEM adoption .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for FRZA’s Q3 2023 EPS and revenue was unavailable via our SPGI integration at the time of analysis due to missing CIQ mapping. As a result, comparisons versus consensus could not be performed. Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable for this ticker.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Commercialization pivot: The move from prototyping to early production in 2024 with a dealer-backed order is a pivotal inflection; watch for execution on ramp from 2/month to higher exit rates in 2024 .
- Channel validation: OneWater’s 100-boat commitment (~$12M) validates the product and provides near-term sell-through visibility via a conventional dealer model .
- Liquidity supports ramp: ~$15.335M in cash/equivalents/marketable securities and ~$1.1M Q3 burn indicate capacity to fund the initial ramp and facility build-out without debt financing .
- Facility milestone: Construction underway with ~10-month timeline; 500 boats/year capacity underpins medium-term scaling, a key driver for revenue trajectory .
- Technology iteration: Battery strategy (including LFP) and 300HP outboard variant testing could enhance performance and broaden addressable market; monitor durability and OEM adoption .
- Near-term catalysts: California dealership demos in early 2024, additional OEM collaborations (e.g., Polaris), and first revenue recognition from boat sales can drive sentiment and re-rating .
- Risk checks: Execution on manufacturing ramp, cost curve for batteries, and consumer adoption relative to ICE alternatives remain central risks; the narrowed revenue timing (early 2024) slightly delays prior expectations .