Rivian in Australia: model names registered
Eagerly awaited American EV start-up Rivian has registered more models names in Australia.
The local action comes just weeks after the same names were registered in the USA.
It’s unclear as yet what this latest burst of activity means for Rivian’s eventual arrival in Australia. The company has previously made clear it is coming here, but has declined to offer timing.
The latest Rivian news comes only days before the launch edition of its first model, the R1T battery electric full-size pick-up (pictured above), starts deliveries to North American customers.
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The R1S SUV, which rides on the same skateboard chassis, will start rolling out early in 2022. A delivery van commissioned by internet sales giant Amazon is also due in 2022.
Examples of all three were recently spotted winter testing in the south island of New Zealand.
The names registered in Australia on August 17 were R3S, R4S, R5S, R3T, R4T and R5T.
That’s in addition to previously register names R1V, R2X, R1S, R1T and R1X.
In the USA, Rivian has also previously secured R1A, R1C, R2A, R2C and R2R.
The brand has previously said it wants to add models smaller than the full-size R1T and R1S in the future.
At this stage it is unclear how many of these names will actually turn into production vehicles. Auto manufacturers sometimes make registrations as a defensive measure against rivals.
But there is no doubt at least some of them will be manufactured by 2025.
Locally, Queensland remanufacturer SCD has been linked with selling Rivians, as reported here.
A Rivian spokesperson played down that link in an emailed statement recently issued to motoring website carsales.com.au.
“Rivian has no official distribution deals in Australia,” the spokesperson said.
In the statement, Australian arrival timing was also played down.
“We haven’t yet announced RHD dates,” Rivian said, referring to right-hand drive production.
“We haven’t announced delivery dates [in Australia] yet. We can tell you that interest has been intense, and we can’t wait to meet our Australian customers.”
Other recent Rivian news include confirmation of studies to build a second US assembly plant and add potentially another in the UK or Europe. It has also confirmed European sales in 2022.
Rivian’s burst of recent news and announcements come as it prepares to go public.
It already has substantial backing from Amazon, Ford, fund manager Blackrock, Cox Automotive and others.
