Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe speaks with the New York Times

The New York Times published a profile article on R.J. Scaringe and Rivian today and it's definitely worth a read for all Rivian fans. It's definitely one of the most in-depth things I've read on Scaringe and it includes some interesting stuff.

Rivian plans to see its skateboard to other carmakers. Which would obviously mean Ford, but could it be other companies too?

In addition to developing advanced battery systems, Rivian has also designed a skateboard-like chassis that it plans to sell to other carmakers. For Ford, investing in Rivian is a way to leapfrog the competition and get new ideas from a start-up as it and other automakers race to prepare for an electrified future.
Amazon has been mum about its interest in the company, but Rivian’s vehicles could help the retail giant reduce its carbon footprint as it builds its own distribution network.

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Rivian's first vehicle was a sports car in 2011 but it was immediately scrapped in 2011 after it was finished.

Mr. Scaringe and a small team worked for two-and-a-half years to create a fuel-efficient sports car, but he ultimately pulled the plug in 2011. “In my heart and soul, I knew I wasn’t answering the fundamental question of why the world needs this company to be successful,” he said.

It was a painful moment. At one point, the team had worked through four nights in a row, said Roman Mistiuk, now a senior interior designer at Rivian. “When the vehicle was done, R.J. said we’re switching.”

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20,000-40,000 vehicles are being promised for 2021.

While Tesla has failed to reach its own lofty production targets in recent years, Mr. Scaringe is only promising about 20,000 to 40,000 vehicles in 2021, the first full year of production.

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Discussions with GM as an investor fell through because they wanted more control and exclusivity with Rivian.

Even as Rivian has grown and new investors have come aboard, Mr. Scaringe has made clear he wants to hold the reins tight. General Motors discussed investing in the company this year, according to two people familiar with the negotiations who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. But the automaker and Mr. Scaringe could not agree on terms. G.M. was demanding more control and exclusivity than he was comfortable with.

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Article link - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/...rivian.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimesbusiness