Although the partnership is strong, Coronavirus shattered the original plan.
There have been many delays in product launches due to the Coronavirus epidemic. This could be the first time that a vehicle program has been cancelled due to the virus. Automotive News reported Lincoln had abandoned plans to build an electric vehicle with Rivian. A Lincoln spokesperson confirmed this decision in an email to motor1.com.
Rumours circulated in late 2019 that Rivian and Lincoln might collaborate to create a new Lincoln-badged vehicle using Rivian underpinnings. Lincoln Motor Company President Joy Falotico confirmed the rumors. Although details were not known, it was thought to be a compact crossover that would use Rivian’s skateboard platform. It was expected to arrive in 2022 with a larger EV crossover arriving a year later.
The possibility of a Lincoln-Rivian vehicle remains alive. Lincoln’s partnership is still in place with Rivian, despite the fact that the original plan has been canceled. A Lincoln spokesperson also told Motor1.com the strategic commitment was unchanged and that work is ongoing on an “alternative vessel” that uses the Rivian skateboard platform. The details of this project are not known.
Ford made an important investment in Rivian last fiscal year, which was worth half a million dollars. Original plans called for a Blue Oval vehicle made from Rivian’s skateboard platform. The latest news indicates that Lincoln is still the target brand for this partnership. This is because the Mustang Mache and F150 hybrid, which are Ford-internal projects, are both Mustang Mache .