Rivian clarified on Tuesday that it has no intentions to collaborate on vehicle production with Volkswagen, contrary to recent media speculation. This statement followed a report by German newspaper Handelsblatt, which suggested discussions were underway to expand their existing partnership beyond software integration.
According to a Rivian spokesperson in an email to Reuters, “There are no plans for production of vehicles with Volkswagen Group.” Meanwhile, Volkswagen declined to comment on the specific media report, emphasizing their current focus on joint ventures.
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Rivian affirmed its commitment to commence production of the R2 SUV at its Illinois manufacturing facility, with subsequent plans for a new plant in Georgia. This announcement underscores Rivian’s independent manufacturing strategy amid ongoing industry partnerships.
Last week, Rivian and Volkswagen disclosed a significant investment agreement where VW pledged up to $5 billion. This deal includes shared technology frameworks and software, positioning Rivian favorably amidst a challenging market for electric vehicles.
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Volkswagen, on its part, remains steadfast in its plans to produce electric SUVs and pickups under the Scout brand at its forthcoming South Carolina plant from 2026. A spokesperson for Scout Motors clarified, “We have not had any conversations about producing Rivian vehicles,” affirming separate production strategies for each automaker.
The partnership between Rivian and Volkswagen, primarily focused on technological collaboration, highlights the competitive dynamics within the evolving electric vehicle sector as companies seek strategic alliances to bolster innovation and market presence.
