Rivian-Based Lincoln EV Killed Due To Coronavirus

Three months after it was announced, Lincoln’s Rivian-based SUV has been axed.

According to Automotive News, the model was dropped due to the coronavirus and Lincoln informed dealers about their decision earlier today.

When asked about the move, the automaker told the publication “Our strategic commitment to Lincoln, Rivian and electrification remains unchanged and Lincoln’s future plans will include an all-electric vehicle consistent with its Quiet Flight DNA.” Ford also said they will work with the company “on an alternative vehicle based on Rivian’s skateboard platform.”

The news comes as a surprise as the model was slated to be launched in 2022 and work on the vehicle – reportedly codenamed U787 – was already under way. That being said, the coronavirus has thrown the automotive industry into chaos as plants have been closed and sales have fallen dramatically.

While the Rivian-based Lincoln is dead, that won’t stop the luxury brand from offering an assortment of electric vehicles in the future. Previous reports have suggested Lincoln’s first EV will be a compact crossover that arrives in late 2021 or early 2022. Little is known about the model, but speculation suggests it will be a modified version of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Lincoln could also launch a mid-sized electric crossover in 2023. Of course, those plans could also be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

How these upcoming models will compare to the R1S remains to be seen, but Rivian’s SUV is slated to be offered with three battery packs allowing for ranges between 240+ miles (386+ km) and 410+ miles (659+ km). The R1S will also have outputs ranging from 402 hp (300 kW / 407 PS) to 754 hp (562 kW / 764 PS).