Last year ford announced that it would make a new all-electric SUV rocking the Lincoln brand. The company would use Rivian technology to accomplish that. Because of the pandemic, those plans were scrapped. Both companies had confirmed this to Auto News. Last year Ford announced a $500 million investment on the startup. It’s unclear what they will get from this money now.
Lincoln said that they are still working together in an alternative vehicle that will use Rivian’s skateboard platform, but that will not include a fully electric car at this time. “Given the current environment, Lincoln and Rivian have decided not to pursue the development of a fully electric vehicle based on Rivian’s skateboard platform. Our strategic commitment to Lincoln, Rivian, and electrification remains unchanged, and Lincoln’s future plans will include an all-electric vehicle,” Said Lincoln’s spokesman to The Verge.
It’s not clear what made them change their minds and how the pandemic forced their hands to do it. “This was a decision that was mutually made by Lincoln and Rivian, given the rapidly changing environment and after a review of product plans,” said the same spokesman. “As we moved through the development cycle, we determined that it would be better to pivot from the Rivian’s skateboard platform and focus our development efforts on Lincoln’s own fully-electric vehicle.”
The Covid-19 pandemic also forced Rivian to delay their first two vehicles, an SUV and a Truck to early 2021.