Ford to build all-new electric vehicle on Rivian ‘skateboard’ platform
Ford this week announced a US$500 million investment in EV start-up Rivian, with news the Rivian skateboard platform would underpin an all-new Ford EV.
EV start-up Rivian has already said it will bring its electric utes to Australia sometime soon-ish and this week Ford announced a US$500 million investment in the electric vehicle maker (this follows a US$700 million investment by Amazon earlier this year). More than that, Ford said the Rivian skateboard platform would be used to develop an all-new battery electric Ford vehicle.
This new vehicle will be in addition to the all-electric Mustang-inspired crossover coming in 2020 and an all-electric F-150. Rivian has already launched two products of its own, the R1T pick-up and seven-seat R1S SUV. Both vehicles, according to Rivian, “deliver up to 400-plus miles (640km) of range and provide an unmatched combination of performance, off-road capability and utility”. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2020.
“As we continue in our transformation of Ford with new forms of intelligent vehicles and propulsion, this partnership with Rivian brings a fresh approach to both,” said Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO. “At the same time, we believe Rivian can benefit from Ford’s industrial expertise and resources.”
