The shelter-at-home orders and other government restrictions that have brought North American light-vehicle output to a halt are forcing a delay in the debut of one of the U.S. auto industry’s newest upstarts.
Electric truck maker Rivian is pushing back plans to launch sales of a pickup and SUV assembled at a resurrected Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Ill.
The company planned to begin deliveries in late 2020 and now says customer shipments will begin in 2021.
“The world has changed a lot in these last few weeks,” the company said in a letter April 1 to customers. “This evolving new reality is not without impact on our program timing. While we expect some level of delay, we are working to minimize the disruption to our launch schedule.”
Rivian spokeswoman Amy Mast said the company can’t provide more guidance on the sales launch beyond the 2021 window.
The delay was first reported by The Chicago Tribune.
Rivian facilities have been temporarily shuttered to protect employees. The Plymouth,…
