Rivian has appointed Javier Varela as its Chief Operating Officer, signaling a strategic move to strengthen its leadership team. Varela, a veteran from Volvo, will join the electric-vehicle startup in August, succeeding Frank Klein, who has been the head of operations since 2022 and will step down after contributing to the ramp-up of the R1 SUVs and pickups.
Varela’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Rivian as it expands its production facility, even amidst a slowdown in demand. Varela’s extensive experience, particularly his role as deputy CEO and COO at Volvo, is expected to be instrumental in Rivian’s growth and profitability.
In a statement, Rivian highlighted Varela’s key responsibilities, stating that he will oversee operations including procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and quality. This appointment is seen as a strategic move to drive efficiency and operational excellence as Rivian continues to scale its production capabilities.
The announcement comes shortly after Volvo’s announcement earlier in the week regarding Varela’s departure from the Swedish truck maker after an eight-year tenure. Varela’s track record at Volvo, where he rose to a senior leadership position, underscores his ability to drive success in the automotive industry.
Additionally, Rivian disclosed that it had received a substantial incentive package of $827 million from the State of Illinois to expand operations at its Normal facility. This expansion will support Rivian’s plans to produce its less-expensive midsize SUV, the R2 model, at the facility.
