According to a Reuters report on July 2, U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian stated that it has no plans to collaborate with the Volkswagen Group on car production. This statement follows media reports suggesting that the American electric vehicle manufacturer was in preliminary talks with Volkswagen about expanding their recently announced partnership beyond software to include car production.
On July 2, Germany's Handelsblatt, citing informed sources, reported that Rivian and the Volkswagen Group might expand their collaboration to include producing Rivian's smaller and more affordable R2 model at Volkswagen's currently under-construction plant in South Carolina.
In response to this report, a Rivian spokesperson said in an email to Reuters that the company "has no plans to collaborate with the Volkswagen Group on car production." The spokesperson affirmed that Rivian has not altered its plan to start R2 production at its Normal, Illinois plant, followed by its planned factory in Georgia.
Volkswagen Group declined to comment on the media reports, stating that their focus remains on the joint venture between the two companies. Previously, Volkswagen had announced plans to start producing Scout-branded electric SUVs and pickup trucks at its South Carolina plant from 2026. A Scout Motors spokesperson commented, "We have not had any discussions about producing Rivian vehicles."
Last week, the two companies announced that Volkswagen would invest up to $5 billion in Rivian as part of a collaboration on shared electric vehicle architecture and software. Reuters noted that amid slowing demand for electric vehicles, the partnership provides a significant boost for Rivian. For Volkswagen, the joint venture offers access to electric vehicle technology that traditional automakers have struggled to develop independently but urgently need.
