Rivian Automotive signs new deal with AT&T

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe released an image of the mock up of the vans on social media. (Photo courtesy: RJ Scaringe/Twitter)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – One of the world’s largest telecommunications companies inked a deal with Rivian Automotive for a new pilot program.

Rivian announced the company signed an agreement for AT&T to purchase Rival electric vehicles for AT&T’s fleet for a program designed to cut transport emissions.

AT&T expects to add the Rivian Commercial Van and R1 vehicles to its fleet in early 2024.

Rivian produces their vans and R1 vehicles at a manufacturing plant in Normal.

In addition to the deal, AT&T became the exclusive connectivity provider to all Rivian vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

The deal comes on the heels of Rivian ending their exclusivity deal with Amazon, who owns 20% of the company.

Neither company disclosed the details on how many vehicles AT&T is purchasing.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…