Rivian pauses plans to make electrical trucks in Europe with Mercedes-Benz

An Amazon Rivian electrical supply van on the corporate’s production facility in Commonplace, Illinois, US., on Monday, April 11, 2022.

Jamie Kelter Davis | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

Rivian mentioned Monday it was once pausing plans to fabricate electrical business trucks in Europe and would “now not pursue” the settlement it made with Mercedes-Benz simply 3 months in the past.

“We have now determined to pause discussions with Mercedes-Benz Trucks in regards to the Memorandum of Working out we signed previous this yr for joint manufacturing of electrical trucks in Europe,” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe mentioned, noting the corporate was once pursuing “the most efficient risk-adjusted returns” on its capital investments.

“At this day and age, we imagine that specialize in our client trade, in addition to our present business trade, constitute essentially the most horny near-term alternatives to maximise price for Rivian,” he added.

The U.S.-based electrical car producer mentioned it stays open to exploring long term paintings with Mercedes-Benz “at a extra suitable time for Rivian.” The corporations signed their unique memorandum of working out in September.

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Mercedes-Benz mentioned Rivian’s determination would no longer have an effect on the timeline of its electrification technique or the deliberate ramp-up of its new electrical car production web site in Jawor, Poland.

“Exploring strategic alternatives with the staff at Rivian one day stays an possibility,” Mathias Geisen, the top of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, mentioned.

Monday’s information comes at a time when the Eu Union has raised issues about the USA’ Inflation Aid Act, which was once signed into regulation by way of President Joe Biden in August.

In keeping with the Division of Power, the IRA “represents a historical, $369 billion funding within the modernization of the American power machine.”

Amongst different issues, the IRA comprises a tax credit score for electrical cars whose ultimate meeting takes position in North The united states, which might constitute a large problem to Eu carmakers within the years forward.

A significant political and financial bloc consisting of 27 international locations, the EU is making plans to segment out the sale of latest diesel and gas vehicles and trucks.

—CNBC’s Silvia Amaro contributed to this document