[ad_1]
Mercedes-Benz and Rivian on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding for joint manufacturing of electrical vans in Europe.
This is step one towards a deliberate manufacturing three way partnership that can produce “bespoke giant electrical vans” for each Mercedes and Rivian, the 2 firms stated in a joint press launch.
The settlement contains plans for a brand new European manufacturing facility to construct electrical vans for each Mercedes and Rivian. The manufacturing facility will likely be situated on an present Mercedes web site in Central or Jap Europe, however will produce EVs solely, the businesses stated.
The three way partnership seems to be restricted to manufacturing and never automobile improvement, because the vans will use every firm’s respective platform. One will likely be primarily based on the Mercedes Van.EA platform because of launch in 2025, whereas the opposite will likely be primarily based on the second-generation Rivian Mild Van (RLV) platform. Nevertheless, additional collaboration will likely be explored, the businesses famous. The three way partnership will give Rivian its first manufacturing beachhead in Europe, one thing the corporate hinted at in 2021.
Mercedes at the moment sells electrical variations of its present vans in Europe, together with the eSprinter, eVito Panel Van cargo van, and eVito Touring and EQV passenger vans. EQT and eCitan fashions are additionally within the pipeline, which is able to give Mercedes an electrical model of every of its European van fashions.
Rivian Amazon electrical supply truck
In the meantime, Rivian is working to ship electrical vans for Amazon, which can be an investor within the automaker. First proven in 2020, the van shares a platform with the Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, with a physique and different options designed with Amazon’s enter. The e-commerce big goals to place 100,000 electrical supply vans on the street by 2030.
Mercedes assembles vans for the U.S. market in South Carolina, however it’s by no means constructed electrical fashions right here. The automaker additionally just lately slimmed down its U.S. van lineup by killing off the Metris. It is unclear if this three way partnership will produce automobiles for the U.S. market.
[ad_2]