last february, amazon announced a $700-million dollar investment in rivian to develop an electric delivery vehicle. now ford motor company is investing $500 million dollars into rivian. and though the small numbers of electrified vehicles on the road today, this announcement is another sign that automakers are eyeing evs as an element in their future.
ford is already developing an electrified mustang and a battery-powered version of the f150, the best-selling vehicle in the us. ford declined to name the product it will build with rivian.
founded by ceo rj scaringe in 2009, rivian employs about 700 people at its michigan headquarters, technology and engineering operations in california and recently acquired a vehicle assembly plant in normal, illinois, for a bargain from mitsubishi motors.
“ford has promised a portfolio of electric vehicles, including a pickup truck, as well as other models,” said michelle krebs, an executive analyst at autotrader. “rivian has a well-developed, innovative approach to electrifying trucks that is ready to go. rivian has the benefit of ford’s leadership position in the truck market — ford has something like a 70% loyalty rate in trucks — with its wide distribution network and raft of potential customers, most importantly commercial fleet customers.”
above > the front charge indicator on rivian’s new rit electric pickup.
above > “gear tunnel” — a storage area that spans the width of the vehicle
[ vitals ]
> up to 400 miles per charge – $90,000 usd / 230 miles – $70,000 usd
> zero-to-60 mph in three seconds
> quad motor system – for superior on road control and way off
> wading depth of three feet
> a debut at the 2018 los angeles autoshow
