JOHN HARRIS
CO-FOUNDER/CEO
HARBINGER MOTORS INC.
WHY: In 2021, co-founded maker of custom-outfitted stripped chassis—a vehicle’s supporting frame and motor—for delivery vans, other medium-duty electric trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs). Says Harbinger Motors is building the first medium-duty chassis designed from the ground up. Moved the manufacturer to a 165K-square-foot space in Garden Grove from Gardena in 2023. More than doubled its employee headcount to 300 as of February. Harbinger’s total funding reached $200M in early 2025.
IN THE NEWS: Harbinger began production of its electric vehicles in 2025 and reported it manufactured more than 100 for customers in early April. Raised a $100M Series B round in February to scale production, co-led by investors with ties to Tesla Inc. and the Volkswagen Group.
NOTABLE: Previous principal mechanical engineer at Costa Mesa-based defense firm Anduril Industries. Led development of company’s core product, Sentry Tower hardware. Previously worked at Boeing, EV startup Faraday Future Inc. and LA-based electric commercial truck manufacturer Xos Trucks.
QUOTABLE: “We chose to announce the start of production only after reaching this milestone to highlight that we are producing vehicles at a volume and scale that is truly impactful for our customers and the industry.”
