Ford‘s Lincoln luxury division and promising EV-maker Rivian won’t be working together on a Lincoln-branded electric SUV using Rivian’s skateboard platform, after all. The abandonment of the two automakers’ plans that were only announced this past January comes as a surprise—although apparently, Ford’s broader tie-up with Rivian (and use of its EV platform) is unaffected by the move, and the company confirms Rivian and Lincoln will do something together eventually. Neither Ford nor Lincoln have not clarified what that means, and, yes, this is all a bit confusing.
The initial plans called for Lincoln to use Rivian’s skateboard electric-vehicle platform, which can be thought of as the bottom of a Hot Wheels toy car, essentially a sled with the wheels, running gear, and battery onto which any body can be dropped, be it a Rivian or Lincoln. Rivian’s business model includes selling the upcoming R1T pickup and R1S SUV it designed and created, but also lending those rigs’ platform to outside manufacturers to fashion into their own vehicles. Rivian also has big plans to contribute electric vehicle platforms to commercial enterprises such as Amazon (see: Rivian’s cute delivery van).
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Lincoln isn’t walking away from near-term electric-vehicle development, however, as the SUV model initially slated to be done with Rivian will now be handled internally instead. No further details were given on this front, either, as a statement on the decision simply reads, “Given the rapidly changing environment and after a review of product plans, Lincoln and Rivian have decided not to pursue the development of a Lincoln fully electric vehicle based on Rivian’s skateboard platform.”
While one statement insisted the decision had nothing to do with the global health crisis and any related financial implications, Ford later clarified the move was made as part of a larger cost restructuring due to the pandemic. This makes the Lincoln/Rivian cancellation somewhat puzzling, given Ford must now assume the entire financial burden for developing Lincoln’s first EV, while starting from, we assume, much closer to square one. If you’re curious when we might see the fruits of this decision, sit down and wait. Lincoln isn’t saying when we might see its fully electric vehicle, promising only that more details will come in the future. We certainly would welcome the clarity.
