Ford signs deal with Rivian for Lincoln EV

LESS than a year after investing $US500 million ($A712 million) in US electric vehicle start-up Rivian, Ford Motor Company has announced an all-new Lincoln EV.

Details are still thin on the ground, but the finished product will be an SUV based on Rivian’s skateboard platform and continue Lincoln’s electrification rollout that started with the Aviator and Corsair Grand Touring plug-in hybrids.

The project is the third chapter of Ford’s $11.5 billion ($A17.13b) investment into electrification which was kicked off by the Mustang Mach-E and recently announced electric version of the F-150 pick-up.

Lincoln Motor Company president Joy Falotico said the project would take the luxury brand’s so-called ‘quiet flight DNA’ to the next level and feature a wealth of advanced and intuitive technologies.

“Working with Rivian marks a pivotal point for Lincoln as we move toward a future that includes fully electric vehicles,” she said.

“This vehicle will take ‘quiet flight’ to a new place – zero emissions, effortless performance and connected and intuitive technology. It’s going to be stunning.”

Lincoln is set to drop the MKZ sedan from its line-up this year, leaving the Continental limousine as the only regular passenger car in its range, the remainder being crossovers or SUVs. This 1:5 ratio will expand to 1:6 when the new EV starts production.

Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe said the EV development partnership with Ford was an exciting opportunity and that the brand was proud to be part of the project.

No details have been released yet as to when the new model will launch but GoAuto has contacted Ford Australia for confirmation on any local interest given its first PHEV – an Escape hybrid – is due to launch later this year.