In COVID-19’s wake, Rivian-Ford cancel plans to make Lincoln electric vehicle at Twin-Cities plant

Posted on April 29, 2020
The manufacturing plant located at 100 N Rivian Motorway in Normal. (Photo courtesy Rivian)

 

By HOI ABC

NORMAL – The deal is off for Rivian Automotive’s car factory in Normal to produce a Lincoln-brand electric vehicle, a Rivian spokesperson confirmed late Tuesday night.

According to our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC, Lincoln is Ford Motor Company’s luxury vehicle division. Ford announced a year ago it was investing $500 million dollars in Rivian, and in January, Ford revealed plans to build an electric vehicle for Lincoln.

The cancellation of the Rivian-Ford joint venture is the latest sign of economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, Ford announced it posted a first quarter net loss of $2 billion that it blames on the coronavirus.

The Rivian spokesperson said the decision has no impact on hiring in Normal. Approximately 300 people were working there when Rivian closed the factory in March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Rivian said it continues to pay its salaried and hourly workers during the closure.

The company is delaying until 2021 its plans to start production of its own electric pick-up truck and sport utility vehicle.

Rivian plans to employ 1,000 people at peak production.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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