Ford’s plan to add an all-electric Rivian-powered SUV to its Lincoln model lineup has reportedly been canceled due to the coronavirus.
The companies announced the decision to cancel the car’s production on Tuesday, April 28, Automotive News first reported. The electric SUV was supposed to be ready for release by 2022.
Lincoln said it still plans to work with Rivian for a future EV based on Rivian’s skateboard platform.
“Given the current environment, Lincoln and Rivian have decided not to pursue the development of a fully electric vehicle based on Rivian’s skateboard platform. Ford Motor Company’s strategic commitment to Lincoln, Rivian and electrification remains unchanged and Lincoln’s future plans will include an all-electric vehicle consistent with its Quiet Flight DNA,” a Lincoln spokesperson told Digital Trends.
Digital Trends also reached out to Ford and Rivian to find out more details and we will update this story when we hear back.
Earlier this month, Rivian announced that it would delay the debut of its much-anticipated electric pickup to 2021.
The Lincoln SUV would have used Rivian tech, but was not the same vehicle as Rivian’s own EV truck. Plans for the Rivian R1S SUV were unaffected by the Lincoln cancellation.
While EVs have gained traction in the automotive world in the last few years, the coronavirus has posed a problem for environmentally friendly vehicles.
For one thing, people aren’t purchasing cars right now due to fears over the economy and where it’s headed. Another reason EVs are declining in sales is that gas prices have become cheap with fewer people on the road and oil prices plummeting.
Many car manufacturers have also halted their work on new car production to help fight the spread of coronavirus instead. Tesla’s Buffalo, New York, gigafactory reportedly planned to reopen to produce ventilators. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ford are also working to help create medical supplies in their factories to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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