Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New Funding Gives Rivian Frontrunner Status in EV Pickup Race

The investment round of $2.5 billion comes as the electric vehicle startup retools its factory to produce its three electric vehicles starting in 2021.

by Staff
July 10, 2020
New Funding Gives Rivian Frontrunner Status in EV Pickup Race

Rivian will produce its three electric vehicles at the former Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal, Illinois, which it purchased for $16 million in 2017. 

Photo courtesy of Rivian.

2 min to read


Electric vehicle startup Rivian announced today that it closed an investment round of $2.5 billion, led by funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

“We are focused on the launch of our R1T, R1S and Amazon delivery vehicles. With all three launches occurring in 2021, our teams are working hard to ensure our vehicles, supply chain and production systems are ready for a robust production ramp up. We are grateful for the strong investor support that helps enable us to focus on execution of our products,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO in a statement.

Ad Loading...

Participants in this investment round include Soros Fund Management LLC, Coatue, Fidelity Management and Research Company, and Baron Capital Group. Existing shareholders Amazon and funds managed by BlackRock also participated.

The investment announcement is Rivian’s first in 2020 and surpasses its combined funding to date.

Earlier funding in 2019 included a $700 million round led by Amazon, $500 million from Ford to collaborate on a future program, a $350 million investment from Cox Automotive, and an investment round in December of $1.3 billion led by T. Rowe Price as well.

In September, Rivian announced it was developing an electric delivery van for Amazon utilizing Rivian’s skateboard platform. Rivian said in the statement that 100,000 of these vans have been ordered with deliveries starting in 2021.

After announced delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rivian’s three vehicles — the R1T electric pickup truck and the R1S SUV, as well as the electric delivery vans for Amazon — are expected to come to market in 2021.

Ad Loading...

The vehicles will be produced at Rivian’s manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill. They use Rivian’s “flexible skateboard platform” that can be applied to a range of applications, the company said.

The announcement comes amidst a flurry of activity with electric pickups. Lordstown Motors revealed its Endurance electric pickup in June. Preorders for the Nikola Badger pickup began on June 29.

Tesla claims 600,000 pre orders for its Cybertruck, while both Ford and GM announced the electric F-150 and Hummer EV earlier this year.

The Endurance, Badger, and Cybertruck are slated for 2021 release; the electric F-150 and Hummer EV are due to come out in 2022.

More Fleet Forward

FFC updates and news template
Fleet Forwardby StaffAugust 22, 2026

What Fleets Want: FFC Panel to Examine the Future of the Fleet-OEM Relationship

Fleet and OEM leaders will tackle how connected vehicles, embedded telematics, and data are changing the relationship between commercial fleets and automakers.

Read More →
A graphic with the 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year finalists
Fleet Forwardby Faith HowellAugust 19, 2026

2026 Fleet Manager of the Year Finalists Announced

Who are the 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year finalists?

Read More →
John Rossant speaker keynote image
Fleet Forwardby StaffAugust 18, 2026

John Rossant to Deliver Opening Keynote at 2026 Fleet Forward Conference

The CoMotion founder will draw on developments across Europe, China, the Middle East, and other international markets to identify trends that could influence how U.S. fleets plan for the coming decade.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Fleet Forwardby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
speaker card for Fresh Voices seminar at FFC
Fleet Forwardby StaffAugust 10, 2026

Is Fleet Ready for Its New Disruptors?

Three emerging leaders from a corporate fleet, public fleet, and the automotive supply chain will bring new ideas and a willingness to challenge industry norms to the Fleet Forward Conference stage.

Read More →
A fleet forward safety symposium announcement photo from NAFA
Fleet Forwardby News/Media ReleaseAugust 5, 2026

NAFA Announces 2026 Fleet Safety Symposium Education Program

Register for NAFA’s Fleet Safety Symposium and save $200 on your Fleet Forward Conference registration.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Speaker card for vibe code session at Fleet Forward Conference
Fleet Forwardby Chris BrownAugust 3, 2026

Fleet Managers Take the Lead in Hands-On AI Workshop at FFC

The fleet manager-led session will show how to use “vibe coding” to build practical fleet tools without a traditional programming background.

Read More →
FFC seminar speaker card Cost of Crashes
Fleet Forwardby StaffJuly 31, 2026

NETS Crash-Cost Data and CoolSys’ 80% Loss Reduction Take Center Stage at FFC

NETS will present findings from its latest Cost of Crashes research, then CoolSys safety leader and author Shawn Martinez will explain how the company built a safer driving culture across 3,500 employees.

Read More →
seminar card for Gray Fleet Risk session at Fleet Forward Conference
Fleet Forwardby StaffJuly 24, 2026

Is Your Grey Fleet Creating an Unmanaged Safety Risk?

NCR Atleos Fleet Manager Jose Rocha will join Cardata and SambaSafety experts at Fleet Forward Conference to examine how fleets can extend safety oversight to every employee who drives for business.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
speaker image for Fleet Forward Conference session on agentic AI
Fleet Forwardby StaffJuly 22, 2026

Agentic AI Session at FFC Will Help Fleets Turn Data Into TCO Action

Mike Albert Fleet Solutions and Motorq will show how agentic AI can uncover maintenance, fuel, and utilization savings buried across disconnected fleet data.

Read More →