O’Grady: Ford’s investment into Rivian shows future of auto industry

Posted on April 24, 2019
EDC interim CEO Mike O’Grady said Ford’s announcement to invest in Rivian is great news for Bloomington-Normal.(WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council interim CEO Mike O’Grady is expressing his satisfaction with Ford’s announcement to invest $500 million into Rivian.

“It’s just amazing what is going to happen with the future of the automotive industry and I think the future is electric, and obviously Ford sees that value,” O’Grady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin.

“I’ll tell you myself and others with the EDC have said from the beginning Rivian is going to be special, and they are,” O’Grady added.

In the announcement, Ford said it intends to develop a new vehicle using Rivian’s flexible skateboard platform.

The new vehicle, according to Ford, will exist alongside its current battery electric plans – including an all-electric Mustang inspired crossover and electrified F-150 pickup.

Rivian remains an independent company and plans to make its R1T pick-up truck and the R1S sports utility vehicle in Normal.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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