Strategic partners Ford Motor Company and sustainable car company Rivian on Wednesday announced the development of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) for the Lincoln Motor Company, Ford's personal luxury car brand. This Lincoln luxury BEV is the initial upshot of a $500 million equity investment Ford made in the Michigan-based maker of electric vehicles (EVs) in April 2019.
Neither Lincoln nor Ford revealed when the Lincoln EV will hit the market, nor did they offer any other details about the vehicle. Lincoln, however, said its new luxury EV "will feature connected and intuitive technologies designed to create an effortless experience for Lincoln clients."
Lincoln has produced two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs): the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring. These PHEVs were unveiled in November 2019 at the LA Auto Show. The company, however, hasn't produced an all-electric vehicle or a BEV.
Lincoln's first luxury BEV will use Rivian's "flexible skateboard platform." The skateboard platform refers to the relatively-flat, low-center-of-gravity base chassis. It includes braking, suspension, and cooling systems with a battery in the center. The platform allows easy customization of body types mounted on it.
"Working with Rivian marks a pivotal point for Lincoln as we move toward a future that includes fully electric vehicles," said Joy Falotico, president of Lincoln. "This vehicle will take Quiet Flight to a new place -- zero emissions, effortless performance and connected and intuitive technology. It's going to be stunning."
For his part, Rivian CEO and founder Robert "RJ" Scaringe said his company's vehicle development partnership with Ford is an exciting opportunity to pair our technology with Lincoln's vision for innovation and refinement.
"We are proud to collaborate on Lincoln's first fully electric vehicle," said Scaringe.
The upcoming Lincoln EV is part of Ford's previously announced investment of more than $11.5 billion into electrification. Apart from Lincoln, the first new Ford EVs are the Ford Mustang Mach-E sports car coming this year and a zero-emissions version of the best-selling F-150 pickup.
In April 2019 after announcing the Ford-Rivian partnership, Ford executive chairman Bill Ford said the company is excited to invest in and partner with Rivian.
"I have gotten to know and respect RJ, and we share a common goal to create a sustainable future for our industry through innovation," said Ford.
Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO, said as Ford continues in its transformation with new forms of intelligent vehicles and propulsion, this partnership with Rivian brings a fresh approach to both.
Rivian has already revealed and will soon start selling its first two EVs: the R1T electric five-passenger pickup truck and the R1S electric seven-passenger SUV. It's now accepting preorders on its R1T and R1S.
