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Lincoln electric SUV to use Ford-backed Rivian's 'skateboard' chassis

DETROIT — A battery-powered Lincoln SUV, due in mid-2022, will be the first Ford Motor Co. vehicle built on a custom electrified chassis that resembles a skateboard, which was developed by Ford-backed startup Rivian, according to several people familiar with the program. The all-wheel-drive Lincoln SUV could compete against Rivian's R1S, an electric sport utility vehicle slated to go into production in early 2021 that will be priced from $72,500. Both models will use Rivian's so-called skateboard, a flexible platform that combines electric motors, batteries, controls and suspension. On Tuesday, Ford declined to comment. Rivian did not respond to a request for comment. The new Lincoln, which carries the internal program code U787, also could compete with premium offerings from others, including General Motors Co <GM.N>, which plans to introduce at least two new electric SUVs by 2023, one for Cadillac and one that could revive the Hummer name, sources have said. Ford invested $500 million in Rivian this year and plans to help it begin production next year at a former Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois. When Ford made the investment, it said it would use Rivian's skateboard to develop its own electric vehicle, but did not disclose details. It is not clear where Ford intends to build the Lincoln SUV, which will be among the first of several battery-powered utility vehicles planned for Ford's premium brand in North America and China, according to supplier sources familiar with those programs who asked not to be identified. Ford expects to introduce a compact Lincoln electric crossover in late 2021 or early 2022 and a mid-size companion in 2023, the sources said. The U.S. auto industry plans to invest billions of dollars over the next few years to build all-electric pickups and SUVs, sectors of the market that have been among the most profitable, especially for Detroit-based automakers. But analysts have questioned whether demand from consumers and commercial customers will come close to matching production. Founded in 2009, Rivian has raised $1.9 billion from investors, including e-commerce giant Amazon, which has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian. The first Amazon vans will be built in Normal and are to be delivered in 2021. Ford aims to sell an electric F-series pickup in late 2021, sources have said.

2024 Lincoln Nautilus pricing is already out, and it's up

The new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus was just revealed, but now pricing is already out. Not only is pricing available to walk through, but Lincoln opened up its configurator and is allowing you to build and price one. As you might expect from a new generation with a whole lot more features, the base price is up. A 2024 Nautilus Premiere starts at $51,810, including the $1,395 destination charge — weÂ’ll note that the new Nautilus will be built in China now, but the destination fee is the same as the Canadian-built 2023 model. Overall, the new Nautilus is $5,590 more than the outgoing version. Considering that AWD is now standard equipment, and the plethora of additional tech/features now present in this new generation, the increase is no surprise. The Nautilus comes with a gas-only 2.0-liter turbo engine as standard equipment, but you can select the hybrid option for an extra $1,500. LincolnÂ’s mid-level trim is the Reserve at $56,145, which adds “premium” leather seats in the first and second rows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique “jewel” accented grille and 21-inch wheels instead of the 19-inch wheels standard on the Premiere. Both the Premiere and Reserve have very expensive packages that group together a bunch of premium options — weÂ’d recommend reading through them on the configurator to see if theyÂ’re must-haves for your needs. If you want BlueCruise 1.2 (hands-free driver assist system) or one of the available Revel audio systems, though, youÂ’ll need to select one of these packages. Per usual with Lincoln, the Black Label trim is the range-topper. It comes with nearly every option as standard equipment and starts at $75,860. The biggest choices you can make here are powertrain — Lincoln still charges $1,500 extra for the hybrid in the Black Label — and then picking your exterior and interior color themes. Chalet, a cream and brown theme, or Redwood, a reddish-brown and black theme, can be selected on the inside. ThereÂ’s a $3,000 Jet Appearance Package available, too, which comes with unique wheels, fully-blacked-out exterior trim and a unique interior. You can even spend $2,000 on LincolnÂ’s fancy, new Chroma Caviar Dark Grey Metallic paint, the most expensive color in the catalog. Check all of these boxes, and you can get a Nautilus up to $82,360. At that price, you could buy an entry-level Navigator or a well-equipped Aviator.

Lincoln cancels plan to build electric vehicle on Rivian's platform

Just three months ago, Lincoln announced a project to build a vehicle atop Rivian’s skateboard platform. Today, itÂ’s canceling those plans. Automotive News originally reported the news, and a Lincoln spokesperson confirmed it to us. Lincoln reportedly informed dealers of its decision to cancel the electric project earlier today, citing the “current environment.” Language like that these days in the automotive industry refers to the coronavirus pandemic and flailing vehicle sales. Originally, Lincoln announced that this model would launch in 2022. It was to be built using the same platform underpinning the Rivian R1S and R1T. The partnership with Rivian was so close that this Lincoln was going to be built at RivianÂ’s Normal, IL assembly plant. Production of the plant itself was halted recently in the face of the coronavirus, which is bad news for any products meant to be built there in the near future. Lincoln never announced that this vehicle was going to be an SUV, but that was the likely result of it using RivianÂ’s platform designed for rugged and large utility vehicles. However, Lincoln says it still has plans to build an electric vehicle. The companyÂ’s statement follows: “Given the current environment, Lincoln and Rivian have decided not to pursue the development of a fully electric vehicle based on RivianÂ’s skateboard platform. Our strategic commitment to Lincoln, Rivian and electrification remains unchanged and LincolnÂ’s future plans will include an all-electric vehicle consistent with its Quiet Flight DNA.” Lincoln hasnÂ’t specified any product details or timing for when this mystery electric vehicle will launch. It could be based off the Mustang Mach-E platform, or it could be a larger vehicle based off the future electric F-150 platform. The former could launch sooner, while the latter is likely a little ways out still. Lincoln doesnÂ’t want this news to be read as a loosening of ties between itself and Rivian either. “Our partnership with Rivian is strong,” LincolnÂ’s statement reads. “While the Lincoln electric vehicle did not turn out to be the right opportunity, we continue to work closely together with Rivian. Our strategic commitment remains unchanged and we will continue to work with Rivian on an alternative vehicle based on RivianÂ’s skateboard platform.” As of now, Lincoln hasnÂ’t revealed exactly what didnÂ’t line up to make the planned collaboration work.