American manufacturer Rivian and German giant Mercedes have just announced their separation. We will therefore no longer encounter Rivian’s electric cars in Europe for the time being.
Article updated December 15, 2022 : Only three months after announcing a collaboration between them, Mercedes and Rivian have just suspended it, as can be read in the press release. Officially this is a break. Unofficially, we imagine that Rivian’s financial problems (decline in sales and difficulties in raising funds) prompted the American company to focus on its current production: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV.
Normally, these two electric cars would cross the Atlantic to be marketed in Europe in the year 2022. further delay for Rivian’s arrival on the Old Continent. By the end of the year, Rivian is expected to have produced just 25,000 electric cars in the United States instead of the 50,000 originally planned.
Which prompts some analysts to announce that this withdrawal from Europe and the refusal of Mercedes’ help could be a mistake. Which also reinforces the idea that Lucid and Rivian would go straight into the wall… according to Elon Musk!
Original article, September 12, 2022
: Rivian, Tesla’s competitor in the United States, and Mercedes-Benz have signed a partnership to develop new electric commercial vehicles. These will be made in Europe.
If you don’t know Rivian yet, that’s perfectly normal. But be aware that you will soon be hearing a lot about the American manufacturer, which wants to compete with Tesla in the electric car market. Founded in 2009 by engineer RJ Scaringe, the company was initially called Mainstream Motors and then Avera Automotive before adopting the Rivian name. If the initial intention was to develop a small hybrid sports car, a lot has changed since then.
Two Mercedes – Rivian utilities on the schedule
If the manufacturer offers a large seven-seat electric SUV, the R1S, it is mainly known for its utility. We are thinking in particular of the R1T pickup, which will compete with the Tesla Cybertruck and other Ford F-150 Lightning. But the company also had its first success when it partnered with Amazon to provide the company with electric delivery vans. But of course the young brand does not intend to stop there. Therefore, it has just signed a partnership with Mercedes, announced through a press release.
This then consists of the establishment of a joint venture to develop and assemble two completely new electric commercial vehicles.. The two manufacturers will therefore share costs and R&D skills. Two major models are already planned, with one that will be based on an all-new Mercedes platform called VAN.EA, while the second will take over the technical base of Rivian Light Van in a new version
For now, no information on the technical data sheets of these vehicles has been revealed, but we know that they will be 100% electric. As indicated Automotive newsany utilities launched by Mercedes from 2025 will be anyway.
Made in Europe
If nothing is officially confirmed yet, the manufacture of these two new models could take place at the Mercedes plant in Kecskemet, Hungary. Inaugurated in 2012, it produces the brand’s entry-level models, from Class A to Class C. According to Automotive News, the manufacturer plans to reduce production of these models to focus on the highest quality. In addition, it also plans to restructure its other production sites responsible for the assembly of large vans such as the Sprinter to compensate for higher costs for the assembly of electric vehicles.
A breath of fresh air for Rivian?
Mercedes will then invest no less than 400 million euros in its factory in Düsseldorf.
. Other sites should also see the light of day, in Central and Eastern Europe. In any case, the signed partnership with the star brand should allow Rivian to improve its situation after the company lost $1.2 billion in the second quarter.
The manufacturer still has big ambitions, as it plans to launch a new 1,200 hp all-terrain model next year. It also wants to further develop its network of fast charging stations, which is already established in the United States. This new joint venture could also make it possible to consider marketing in Europe, with other companies such as General Motors also considering it. Finally, note that the Rivian R1S and R1T will be launched in Europe in the future, but at an as yet unknown date.
With a futuristic appearance and impressive performance, Rivian’s first cars have already left their mark. The young American company is now one of the 10 most valuable car manufacturers in the world. Rivian is worth…
read more
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You can read our articles and files and watch our latest YouTube videos.
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire