Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Pritzker signs bill to cap some out-of-pocket insurance costs for insulin
Next Post: Question of the day
Posted in:
* The company continues to impress. From Bloomberg…
Rivian Automotive Inc., the electric-truck startup backed by Amazon.com Inc. and Ford Motor Co., will provide the “skateboard” platform for a premium, high-performance electric Ford vehicle, its top executive said.
“In Ford’s case, we provide the platform.” Rivian Chief Executive Officer R. J. Scaringe said in an interview on Saturday. “They will provide the top hat, the body and the interior.”
The “skateboard” is the entire platform, including the motor, battery pack, computer systems and wheels. The design is modular and allows for different vehicle body types to be added on top. Rivian is seeking partnerships to scale and grow beyond its own consumer electric vehicle offering.
Ford invested in Rivian in April and announced its intention to build a vehicle using Rivian’s technology. Scaringe declined to comment on the vehicle class or design, and didn’t confirm which party would assemble the final Ford vehicle or give a date for its release.
* Pantagraph…
Rivian has invested $29.4 million in its future Normal production facility in recent weeks as work progresses inside and outside the former Mitsubishi Motors North America plant to reconfigure for electric vehicle manufacturing later this year.
“2020 is going to be a significant year for Rivian, not only for construction of the vehicle but for the facility as well,” Zach Dietmeier, Rivian plant communications manager, told The Pantagraph.
Among building permits issued in recent weeks for Rivian, 100 N. Rivian Motorway, has been $11.3 million to Lesco Design and Manufacturing Inc., LaGrange, Ky., for construction of a conveyance line for final assembly of the vehicle.
“It’ll be done, hopefully, within the next month of so,” Dietmeier said.
* Engadget…
Rivian’s first vehicles are getting a price cut of sorts months before they even roll off the line. Company founder RJ Scaringe told Reuters in a chat that the electric R1T truck and its R1S SUV counterpart would cost less than originally announced. He didn’t provide full pricing, but he indicated that a mid-range R1T with 300 miles of range and an electrochromic glass roof would sell for $69,000, while a comparable R1S would sell for $72,000. The automaker had pegged the starting prices for the R1T and R1S at $61,500 and $65,000 respectively.
It’s not certain what prompted the lower prices, though it might just be a matter of economies of scale. Scaringe told Engadget in 2018 that the initial production would focus on “thousands of units” and ramp up. Rivian has racked up “such a long queue” since then, according to Scaringe. If the company is better-prepared for production, it could meet that demand (and thus reach profitability) that much sooner.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:20 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Pritzker signs bill to cap some out-of-pocket insurance costs for insulin
Next Post: Question of the day
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Would be great this session if we could figure out how to significantly increase the amount of electric chargers we have in our state.
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:27 am
Very glad that as the current president rips away environmental protections, some companies are moving forward with environmentally-friendly vehicles.
This is also great for the region, to get people jobs and not use the RTWFL nonsense that pits states against each other in a race to the bottom and lowers standards of living.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:32 am
=== “I can’t give this plant away,” Rauner said then, adding, “No auto company wants to invest in Illinois because of (House Speaker MICHAEL) MADIGAN’s power, because of regulations and taxes.”===
Good news today. Hoping it continues to impress.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:39 am
Kyle Ham, Mayor Koos, and the Normal Town Council really did this project a solid. It has persevered despite all of the skepticism and harsh words from even the state’s chief executive. Now it certainly appears it is on-track to meet DCEO’s projections >> https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/rivian-automotive-in-talks-for-mitsubishi-plant/article_3d659f23-6216-515c-a5af-954a14079f4c.html
Comment by Bertrum Cates Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 11:45 am
I’m very glad I was wrong about Rivian.
I admit I thought they were an incentives scam like Foxcon pulled in WI.
It seems that I was wrong.
I am glad I was.
I hope that they continue to be successful and that Illinois’ tax incentive will be well used to revitalize the Bloomington Normal area.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:09 pm
== I’m very glad I was wrong about Rivian.==
It’s easy to get skittish when we’ve been burned so often. Yes it’s good news and I’m happy for those in the area.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:28 pm
Rivian plant makes
trucks and Illinois jobs too.
What last governor?
Comment by Simple Simon Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 12:38 pm
Did I miss the Rivian/UAW agreement? I cant find it anywhere
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:37 pm
Good news for B/N Rivian projects up to 1,000 employees in next decade. UAW is already taking notice…
“That’s up to the (Rivian) workers themselves if they want to organize,” McInvoy said. “It’s the workers’ choice if they become union. If they contact us, we’ll work with them.”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:38 pm
Always chuckle when Rivian is mentioned because GovJunk never remembered these guys had landed in IL. It says a lot about why he got run out of IL.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:47 pm
Aren’t these increase from original pricing?
Comment by justwondering Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 1:59 pm
Yea, I am going to go there. Until Tesla snd Rivian signs an union contract, i hope they are not that successful. Every vehicle they produce is one that competes with the brothers snd sisters of the UAW.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 4:54 pm
Wow BDD. How about you take your happy self up to Bloomington and let those workers know you hope they fail and lose their jobs. Heckuva a guy you are.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jan 27, 20 @ 5:04 pm
== Every vehicle they produce is one that competes with the brothers snd sisters of the UAW.==
I made a point to buy a UAW car. My car was made in the factory Tesla uses today. Over ten years old and it’s still a great car. But every worker, union or nonunion, is my brother. They’ll get a chance to vote on this. And the fact they do vote is important to the union cause. (And is why the phrase “forced unionism” is nonsense).
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Jan 28, 20 @ 6:34 am