Rivian
5 min read
Rivian is an American automotive technology company with research and development operations in Plymouth, Michigan; San Jose, California; and Irvine, California.[1] The firm also has a factory in Normal, Illinois,[2][3] and an engineering facility in the United Kingdom.
In December 2017, Rivian announced their intentions to build both an electronic SUV and pickup truck on the same platform. The truck would launch first, followed by the seven-passenger SUV.[4] As of June 2018, Rivian employed 410 people.[5]
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Vehicles
- 3 Facilities
- 4 See also
- 5 References
- 6 External links
History[edit]
Founded in 2009, Rivian is an automotive technology company developing products and services related to sustainable transportation. The company was founded as Mainstream Motors but changed its name to Avera Automotive before settling on Rivian in 2011. The company’s founder and CEO is Robert “RJ” Scaringe, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Automotive Laboratory.[1][3] Scaringe was named a “Champion of Change” by the Obama administration, an award that recognizes rising business and civic leaders.[6]
In 2011, Scaringe said the company had plans to release a car with cost in the mid-US$20,000 range and gas mileage of up to 60 miles per gallon.[7] Rivian planned to release its first production car in 2013, with other models following in 2014.[8] These cars were never released. The company subsequently shifted its focus to autonomous electric vehicles.[1] In 2013,[9] the company moved its headquarters from Florida to Livonia, Michigan to be closer to key suppliers.[9][10]
In 2017, Rivian acquired a large Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois, and its contents for $16 million. Rivian’s strategy in acquiring the plant has been likened to Tesla’s acquisition of the NUMMI plant in California.[2][3] The company received a $1 million grant and a five-year tax abatement from Normal contingent on meeting employment targets and investing $40.5 million over five years.[1] Rivian also received $49.5 million in tax credits from the state government; these credits are also contingent upon meeting employment targets and investing at least $175 million into the site by 2024.[2][3] Ahead of production, Rivian currently employs more than 50 people at the Normal facility.[5]
In December 2017, Rivian announced their intentions to build both an SUV and pickup truck on the same platform. The truck would launch first, followed by the seven-passenger SUV.[4]
The company has raised upwards of $450 million through several funding rounds. Some of Rivian’s investors include Sumitomo Corporation of America,[4] Abdul Latif Jameel, and a loan from London’s Standard Chartered Bank.[11] Of Rivian’s funding, $200 million comes from a debt agreement with London’s Standard Chartered Bank.
Rivian had 250 employees at the start of 2018.[12] As of the of June 2018, Rivian employs 410 people across their facilities in Plymouth, San Jose, Irvine and Normal.[5]
Vehicles[edit]
A 2011 prototype from Rivian, introduced by Scaringe
R1T pickup at the 2018 LA auto show
R1S SUV at the 2018 LA auto show
In November 2018, the company announced the R1T pickup truck, its first production vehicle, is planned to be released in the fourth quarter of 2020.
In May 2018, Rivian stated that they planned to name their upcoming truck and SUV the A1T and A1C respectively.[13] The A1T will be able to sprint from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, wade through 3.6 feet of water, and climb a 45% grade (slope). Both vehicles were unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November, 2018. The base trim will include a range of 200 miles and the top trim will have upwards of 400 miles.[14]
In November 2018, Rivian named their truck and SUV the R1T and R1S and released a teaser video of the R1T.[15] The R1T truck debuted online on November 26, 2018, and the R1S SUV on November 27, 2018.
Facilities[edit]
The company has research and development operations in Plymouth, Michigan; San Jose, California; and Irvine, California.[1] The firm also has a factory in Normal, Illinois, and an engineering facility in the United Kingdom.
Rivian acquired a manufacturing plant near Normal, Illinois, in the former Mitsubishi Motors plant in January 2017.[17][18] As of 2017, the company planned for this plant to be the primary North American location for its manufacturing. The plant has a floor area of 2.4 million square feet.[1] The company says the plant has a paint shop, robotics, stamping machines, and other production equipment.[2][3]
See also[edit]
- Faraday Future
- Lucid Motors
- NIO (car company)
- Plug-in electric vehicles in the United States
- Tesla, Inc.
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Official website
