Rivian wants to manufacture e-vans for Amazon in Europe
E-Van: Rivian’s Amazon delivery van. (Image: Amazon)
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The electric car manufacturer Rivian, which among other things makes e-vans for Amazon, is looking for a production facility in Europe. The company also wants to build smaller electric cars here.
Rivian has made a name for itself in the electric car industry with its planned R1T and R1S e-pickup trucks and e-SUVs due to hit the market later this year. His sponsors include the billion-dollar startup Amazon and Ford. Ford subsidiary Lincoln, for example, is planning an electric SUV based on Rivian. About a year and a half ago, Amazon ordered 100,000 e-vans for its delivery fleet – Rivian apparently also wants to manufacture them in Europe in the future.
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Like Tesla? Rivian is considering a factory in Germany
Because the e-car startup is looking for a European production facility, like company insiders from the business news agency Bloomberg said to have. No potential site for building a factory has yet been found. In addition to Hungary and Great Britain, the focus should also be on Germany. The automobile state Germany had previously selected Tesla for its new Gigafactory. Rival Nikola also has its e-trucks built in this country.
Regardless of whether Germany or another European country – Rivian wants to build the e-vans ordered by Amazon in the new factory. According to the insiders, the start of production should take place next year. According to Amazon, the first 10,000 of Rivian’s electric delivery vans will be in use in 2022. According to the plans, the entire fleet should be on the road by the end of this decade. Rivian will initially begin construction at its plant in the US state of Illinois – in the final quarter of this year.
Electric cars for private customers
Later on, Rivian also wants to manufacture electric cars for private customers in Europe. Details of the plans are not yet known. Rivian wants the smaller models, which are supposed to be based on the pickup and SUV models according to Reuters conquer China as well as Europe. The R1T and R1S are slated to hit the US market this summer, priced at $ 75,000 and $ 77,500, respectively.
Founded in 2009, the startup has raised more than eight billion dollars from investors in recent years. In addition to Amazon and Ford, the major investors also include T. Rowe Price and Blackrock. In the last round of funding to date, Rivian was valued at $ 27.6 billion. Meanwhile, there is speculation about an early IPO. Rivian is said to be valued at up to 50 billion dollars.
