General Motors isn’t the only company making noise with its non-ICE product plans. Late this week, Lincoln announced that it’s partnering with Rivian to create an all-new luxury electric vehicle. If you’re a regular reader, you may remember that we reported about Rivian’s startup efforts. Founded in 2009, Rivian has acquired the former Chrysler-Mitsubishi assembly plant in Normal, Illinois, and is planning to build its own R1T electric pickup and R1S electric SUV using a shared “skateboard” platform. Rivian has been attracting major investment of late, including a $700 million infusion from Amazon and another half-billion from Ford, both revealed last year.
Ford is clearly very serious about remaking itself for a world after hydrocarbons. The Lincoln-rivian lashup will produce Lincoln’s first fully electric vehicle, using the shared Rivian platform, which will join plug-in versions of the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring SUVs. All are the products of Ford’s $11.5 billion investment in electric technology. As part of the transition, production of the Taurus-based Lincoln MKZ sedan will end this year at Hermosillo, Mexico, as that plant transitions to a new generation of Ford vehicles. Combined with the coming electric Mustang Mach-E and full-battery version of the F-150 pickup, this is big news, very much appropriate for celebrating Lincoln’s 100th birthday in 2020. Speaking of which, look for my history of Lincoln’s first century coming soon in Hemmings Classic Car.
Jim Donnelly On Wheels 