
Rivian Electric Vehicles
Founded in 2009 by its CEO RJ Scaringe, an MIT graduate who holds a Ph.D. in automotive manufacturing. The start-up hailed from Florida but moved to Normal, Illinois in 2016 in anticipation of acquiring a scuttled Mitsubishi plant. Rivian Automotive strives to reimagine how vehicles are developed, manufactured and sold. The company currently employs around 100 employees and includes some industry veterans, such as:
Rivian received capital from a mystery investor. The 2.6 million square foot plant has a capacity of 240,000 units per annum. |
Rivian Electric Car Strategy in the news
2018 Week 34 Rivian platform specifications
Rivian plans to bring two models to market in 2020 codenamed A1T and
A1C, of which A1T is a pickup truck type, and A1C is a 7-seat SUV model.
The A1T body size will be smaller than the Ford F150, similar to Nissan
Navarra. The A1C SUV shares more than 90% of the components of the A1T
pickup. Rivian states that the A1T model can travel at a depth of 1
meter, with a ground clearance of 36cm and a maximum approach angle of
45°. Also, the pickup accelerates from 0-62mph in only 2.8 seconds and
has a cruising range is 452miles (724km). Both the A1T and A1C advanced
driving assistance systems are rated as SAE Level 3.
2018 Week 21 Rivian raises $200 million for EV production
Rivian Automotive secured $200 million in debt financing from Standard Chartered Bank this
week to commence EV production at its plant in Illinois, USA. The
latest funding brings total funding in the company to nearly $500
million as it gears up to produce its first EVs in 2020. Rivian plans to
roll-out an EV Pick-up truck and SUV from 2020, competing with the
likes of local competitors Tesla, Bollinger and Workhorse
which all plans to sell electric pick-ups by that time. The A1T (Truck)
and A1C will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year.
The price range for the A1T and A1C will range between $50k and $90k.
2018 Week 2 Rivian EV plans clearer
A year ago I reported on a stealthy EV-startup, Rivian Automotive acquiring a mothballed Mitsibushi
assembly plant in Illinois. The past week Rivian Automotive lifted the
veil slightly on its plans through a launch of a marketing campaign.
Rivian announced that it will come to market by 2020 with two EV models,
a seven-seater SUV, and a five-seater pick-up. Appart from looking more
than an extreme sports site the automaker’s website does not provide
more information other than that the AWD vehicles will be connected and
equipped with advanced self-driving, accelerating to 60mph in under 4
seconds and have a wading depth of 3 feet. The site also mentions that
the vehicles will have a massive lockable storage capacity and
innovative cargo management solutions. Judging from the team of experts
available to the company which includes Dodge Viper designer Tom Gale
and former McLaren engineer Mark Vinnels the start-up has a fighting chance.
2017 Week 1 Rivian Automotive acquires Mitsubishi's plant in Illinois
An Illinois-based start-up Rivian Automotive moves into old Mitsubishi plant
which it closed with a full loss of employment opportunities to the
Normal County in 2015. The newcomer hopes to invest $175 million in
developing electric and autonomous vehicles which would create
employment opportunities for 1,000 people. Rivian announced that it would unveil its first model later this year and start production in 2019.
Top 5 EV News Week 32 2020
Top 5 EV News Week 32 2020 | Cadillac Lyriq unveiled. Yet another Chinese EV startup IPO. Three new EV models launched this week.
Top 5 EV News Week 31 2020
Top 5 EV News Week 31 2020 | Successful IPO for CHJ Auto, Kandi finally enters the USA, Mitsubishi pays the cost for failing EV strategy.
Top 5 EV News Week 30 2020
Top 5 EV News Week 30 2020 | Chengdu Auto Show, Hozon Neta IPO, VW invest in China, eVito Tourer for sale