Amazon-Backed Rivian Spurned GM With Plans to Build for Others
- Electric-truck maker’s CEO cites multiple corporate customers
- One model will be related to deal with Amazon, Scaringe says
Rivian Automotive R1T electric pickup truck.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
It’s becoming clearer why electric truck-making startup Rivian Automotive Inc. spurned the chance to form a partnership with General Motors Co.: The company appears to be doing just fine on its own.
With a $700 million funding round led by Amazon.com Inc. just completed, Rivian has six vehicles planned by 2025 -- and that’s just the models that will be sold under the Rivian brand. The startup also will be making several models for other companies, founder R.J. Scaringe said in an interview at the New York auto show. One of them is related to the Amazon deal, but not necessarily a vehicle, Scaringe said, declining to give more detail.