With the aim of bringing a new generation of electric vans onto the production line faster, Rivian and Mercedes-Benz have entered into a new partnership to scale up their production quickly. The collaboration is expected to result in a vehicle bearing the badges of both automakers.
This new partnership is at this stage a Memorandum of Understanding marking the early stages of collaboration between Rivian and Mercedes-Benz. The plan from here is to enter into a binding agreement and obtain regulatory approval for a joint manufacturing company that will operate from an electric vehicle plant in Europe.
Here, the company will manufacture a pair of oversized electric vans, one based on the Mercedes VAN.EA electric van architecture and the other on the Rivian Light Van platform. The pair plan to share the costs of the effort with the aim of optimizing and increasing production to produce large electric vans for the Rivian and Mercedes-Benz brands.
“We share investment and technology because we share the same strategic ambition: accelerate the electrification of the van market with sustainable and superior products for our customers,” said Mathias Geisen, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.
Mercedes has been producing electric vans since the first electric Vito arrived in 2010. Rivian, a newcomer, started shipping its electric delivery vans to Amazon earlier this year. By working together, the two companies believe they can streamline operations and make vehicles more cost-effective, ultimately producing vans at more affordable prices.
“Mercedes?Benz is one of the most recognized and respected automotive companies in the world, and we believe that together we will produce a truly extraordinary electric van that will benefit not only our customers, but the planet,” said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.
There is no certainty when this collaboration will start, it is hoped that the production of the van will start after Mercedes-Benz and Rivian have agreed.
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