1 US automaker is counting on profit from sales of conventional large pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles in North America to fund its electrification push.The No. GM said last November it was doubling resources allocated to developing electric and self-driving vehicles, as part of a significant restructuring that included ending production at five North American plants.Amazon has also Electric 3 Wheels cabin scooter factory invested in self-driving car startup Aurora Innovation Inc, in a USD 530 million funding round announced last week.J. GM has said one of the first fully electric Cadillac models using the new platform would hit the market around 2022.Rivian intends to begin selling its R1T, the pickup it debuted in November, in the fall of 2020.

GM last month announced a strategy to make its luxury Cadillac its lead electric vehicle brand, revealing it would be the first vehicle built on the Detroit automaker’s “BEV3” platform to challenge Tesla.Amazon and Rivian declined to comment.The deal would give Amazon and GM minority stakes in Rivian, the sources said. It would be a major boost for the Plymouth, Michigan-based startup, which aspires to be the first carmaker to the US consumer market with an electric pickup.He has also said the company plans to partner with outside firms to develop advanced self-driving technology, rather than try to do so on its own. GM CEO Mary Barra has said it has given a “tiny bit” of thought to developing all-electric pickups..Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors last August that an electric pickup is “probably my personal favourite for the next product” from the company, though he has spoken only in general about a potential launch, saying that it would happen “right after” Tesla’s Model Y, which the company has targeted to start production in 2020.

The company was founded in 2009 by CEO R. ALJ has agreed to provide almost USD 500 million in funding, Sumitomo invested an undisclosed amount, and Standard Chartered provided debt financing of USD 200 million.Scaringe has described the Rivian vehicle’s platform as a “skateboard” that packages the drive units, battery pack, suspension system, brakes and cooling system all below wheel height to allow for more storage space and greater stability due to a lower centre of gravity.Big automakers, including GM, have not jumped into the market for electric pickups thus far.com Inc and General Motors Co are in talks to invest in Rivian Automotive LLC in a deal that would value the US electric pickup truck manufacturer at between USD 1 billion and USD 2 billion, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.Amazon.Rivian’s existing financial backers include Saudi auto distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Co (ALJ), Sumitomo Corp of Americas and Standard Chartered Bank.

The world’s largest online retailer has steadily increased its logistics footprint, building warehouses around the world and inking deals with Mercedes as well as cargo airlines to help with delivery.If the negotiations conclude successfully, a deal could be announced as early as this month, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.“We admire Rivian’s contribution to a future of zero emissions and an all-electric future,” GM said in an emailed statement, declining to specifically comment on any talks with Rivian. There is always a chance that deal talks fall through, the sources cautioned.The Rivian deal would come as its much larger electric car manufacturing rival, Tesla Inc, struggles to stabilise production and deliver consistent profits as it rolls out its flagship Model 3 sedan.