Rivian has named Frank Klein, a former executive at Canadian auto parts maker Magna International’s unit, as its chief operating officer, at a time when the electric carmaker has waned on its 2022 production forecast
During his tenure at the Austria-based unit, Magna Steyr, Klein oversaw its shift to the electric mobility manufacturing space, including the production of the first electric vehicle made by a contract manufacturer, Rivian said on Monday.
He previously served in various management positions at German carmaker Daimler AG
Klein will be based in Normal, Illinois, where Rivian currently produces its vehicles. The company last year said it would locate its second U.S-based manufacturing facility in Georgia. Production at the Georgia plant is slated for 2024.
Rivian last week said supply-chain issues could cut its planned production in half in 2022 to 25,000 vehicles.
Klein succeeds Rod Copes, who retired in December.
Amazon-backed Rivian recently raised its prices by 20%, but rolled them back for orders
(Reporting by Eva Mathews and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru)