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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.

Ed Welburn leaves a lasting legacy at GM design

General Motors design chief Ed Welburn retired July 1, and the soft-spoken stylist is leaving a lasting legacy at the automaker and on the industry. He became the first African American to lead design at a carmaker when he took over GM's top spot in 2003. Just six people have overseen the company's design, and Welburn followed in the footsteps of icons like Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell. When Welburn was given expanded global oversight in 2005, it wasn't ceremonial. He helped unite the company's sprawling design empire, and today is in charge of 2,500 people who have a hand in designing GM cars. "He nurtured a creative, inclusive, and customer-focused culture among our designers that has strengthened our global brands," Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO, said in a statement." Welburn took the helm when GM and the industry were shaking off a general styling malaise that pervaded the 1980s and 1990s. During his 13 years in charge, he took risks, produced a wide range of styles for everything from hybrids to sports cars to big trucks, and leaves GM design in a better place. Welburn's replacement, Michael Simcoe from GM's international design unit, has big shoes to fill. News & Analysis News: Tesla attracted more than 325,000 preorders of the Model 3 in about a week. Analysis: If anything, the Model 3 is more popular than many expected. Elon Musk tweeted that surprising figure on Thursday, and he said just five percent ordered the maximum number of two. That seems to indicate actual owners rather than speculators are fueling the demand. With a starting price of $35,000 before incentives and an electric range of 215 miles, the Model 3 is the Tesla that's attainable for a lot of people. Clearly, that notion is resonating. News: Lincoln has drawn 40,000 hand-raisers for the Continental. Analysis: Okay, that's not a Tesla figure, but it's still an encouraging sign for Lincoln that one of its most famous and historic names still resonates in 2016. It also demonstrates using a real, albeit slightly dusty name, was the right call for the MKS replacement. "No other Lincoln vehicle has generated this much interest in this little time," Lincoln president Kumar Galhotra said in New York last month. The concept that debuted a year ago put Lincoln back on the map, and the production version remains true to that promise. It will stand out on the road when it arrives this fall, and ultimately, that kind of style will determine Lincoln's future.

Weekly Recap: Revisting the BBC report that ended Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear run

Jeremy Clarkson's long run as a Top Gear host has come to an end, and the reason is clear: His physical assault on one of the show's producers crossed a line, and the government-owned BBC couldn't tolerate it. The incident between Clarkson and Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon was initially described as a "fracas," and Clarkson was suspended. But his popularity and widespread support – even British Prime Minister David Cameron weighed in – suggested that the controversial Clarkson might be given yet another chance. The BBC put this to rest Wednesday when it sacked Clarkson and revealed the findings of its investigation. The report spelled out how Clarkson struck Tymon on the patio of a North Yorkshire (UK) hotel, leaving him with a bloodied, swollen lip. It was severe enough that the producer sought medical treatment. During and after the attack, Clarkson shouted expletives at Tymon and threatened to fire him. The noise carried into the hotel's dining room and even to a bedroom. Local police investigated the incident, but Tymon isn't pressing charges. The huge audience numbers, Clarkson's popularity and the high-octane excitement of Top Gear all melted away in the eyes of BBC director-general Tony Hall, who saw an attacker and a victim. "For me a line has been crossed," he said in a statement. "There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations." In that moment, Clarkson was the bad guy, though he was actually the one who reported it to the network and made repeated attempts to apologize to Tymon. He's also urged the media to leave the producer alone. Hall voiced regret in the statement that announced Clarkson's contract would not be renewed, but the BBC decided to move on. Rumors are swirling about possible replacements for Clarkson. The network says it wants to continue Top Gear in 2016 and is looking to air the rest of this season's episodes. Despite the controversy, the show has a global audience of 350 million viewers and is one of the BBC's most valuable properties. It's unclear what Clarkson's co-hosts, James May and Richard Hammond, will do, as their contracts were also reportedly up to be renewed. Other News & Notes 2016 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid charges up with Volt technology Chevrolet is taking some of the learnings and technologies from the 2016 Volt and dropping them into the reborn Malibu hybrid.