Nikola Corp. announced its first step in establishing a nationwide plan for its Class 8 truck sales and service coverage. Nikola has partnered with RIG360 Service Network, a network of heavy-duty truck service and maintenance centers, to later this year provide sales and service products for commercial customers.

The partnership will span more than 65 RIG360 dealer locations throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. The network includes Blanchard Machinery, Cleveland Brothers, Foley Equipment, MacAllister Machinery, Thompson Machinery, Thompson Tractor and Yancey Bros. Co.

In addition to providing service and maintenance for Nikola’s complete portfolio of Class 8 trucks, this dealer association is intended to provide customers with a well-known and reputable sales and distribution channel to be established for Nikola battery-electric and fuel-cell-electric vehicles, and ancillary products and services, Nikola officials said in a press release.

“We expect this association to play an integral part in advancing Nikola’s zero-emission vehicle sales and overall industry adoption by providing assurance in reliability and support over the life of our products,”  said Nikola Energy and Commercial President Pablo Koziner.

Nikola and RIG360 expect to finalize distribution plans and agreements in the coming months in order to fully support customers in the sale and service of the Nikola Tre BEV which will be launched later this year, as previously announced.