Rivian Reportedly Looking To Open Vehicle Manufacturing Plant In Europe

The Amazon- and Ford-backed startup is apparently scouting sites in Germany, Hungary and the United Kingdom.

By: Andrei Nedelea

Feb 12, 2021 at 8:30am ET

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Even though it has yet to begin deliveries of its first two models, Rivian is reportedly already looking to expand outside the United States and into Europe. According to Bloomberg, the electric vehicle startup is reportedly looking for a site to erect a factory to build the all-electric delivery van for Amazon first, then passenger vehicles at some point later.

The source says Rivian is eyeing sites in Hungary, Germany or the United Kingdom, but at the moment, this is about all we know. However, regarding the passenger vehicles Rivian could eventually build in Europe, there is more to tell.

An older report published by Reutres in November of last year announced Rivian’s interest in creating smaller electric vehicles that would be better suited for the European and Chinese markets. Rivian still wants to sell the R1T and R1S in Europe, yet the company knows that in order to be successful here, it needs higher volume sales and in order to facilitate that, it needs models that are specifically tailored for the market where they are sold.

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Regarding this, the CEO of Rivian, R.J. Scaringe told Reuters that

What will really drive volume in those markets is the follow-on products. To really scale in those markets as we bring on follow-on products, having a production footprint outside the U.S. is going to be important. We wouldn't be serious about building a car company if we weren't thinking about China and Europe as important markets long term.

This latest rumor just confirms Scaringe’s previously stated plan to not only have vehicles designed for certain markets, but also build them closer to where they will be sold. He did say that all of this is a ways off, but we’ll keep an eye out for any additional rumors about Rivian’s possible overseas expansion.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg