Sang-Yeong Seong

Global Economic News

U.S. electric vehicle startup Rivian has chosen South Korean manufacturer Samsung SDI Co. to supply battery cells for its electric vehicles.

Rivian, backed by Amazon.com Inc and Ford Motor Co., will use Samsung SDI’s battery cells for its electric pickup truck model and SUV model, which the U.S. startup aims to put in production later this year.

“We’re excited about the performance and reliability of Samsung SDI battery cells combined with our energy-dense module and pack design,” said R.J. Scaringe, chief executive officer of Rivian.

Rivian was founded in 2009 by Scaringe, an engineer who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the startup devotes itself to developing sustainable automotive products and vehicles.

Rivian is also being called the second Tesla from its success in raising funds from influential companies on the back of its technological prowess in electric vehicles.

Samsung SDI is also reportedly pursuing the development of cylindrical batteries for hybrid vehicles that Hyundai Motor Co. is planning to release in the future.