Rivian has entered talks with Amazon to scrap the exclusivity component of their electric-van deal.
The move comes after Amazon put in a smaller-than-expected vehicle order for 2023, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.
- In 2019, Amazon agreed to order 100,000 electric vans from Rivian in a bid to decarbonize its logistics operations.
- The deal included an agreement that required Rivian to sell all of the vans it produces to Amazon.
- By November 2022, Amazon had taken possession of over 1,000 Rivian vans.
- The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Rivian has entered talks with Amazon to lift the exclusivity part of the deal.
- If Rivian is successful in convincing Amazon to waive the exclusivity agreement, the electric vehicle maker will be free to sell its vehicles to other buyers.
- An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the exclusivity requirement remained in effect as of March 13.
