Rivian CEO discussed tariffs, EV maker has a ‘very American-centered supply chain’

RJ Scarning, the founder and CEO of Rivian, discussed the tariff of Trump administration on Tuesday and how the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is navigating them during an appearance “The Claman Countdown,

Scarning told hosts Liz Claman that consumers have “what is going to” with the pricing and availability of vehicles in the US about “what is going to” “. President Donald Trump’s tariff And that revision is “trying to navigate as much as we can.”

The President announced 25% tariffs on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks and some major auto parts later last month. They are among several levy on imports, Trump unveiled since returning to the office, including steel and aluminum as well as mutual tariffs.

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Scarring said that Rivian eVSThe second generation R1, including R1, which he appeared next to “The Claman Countdown”, is manufactured in the general, Illinois in its convenience.

He said, “We are very focused on building our supply chain, of course, our production footprint in the US and, of course, all technology has also been developed here,” he told Claiman.

Asked where the steel and aluminum of the rivian comes from, Scaring said it was “a mixture.”

“One of the things with the automotive is so complex, where we have hundreds of suppliers, who say, a headlight or a toe hook or tire or structure below the skin here that is coming not only from a set of suppliers, who supplies us, but those suppliers have suppliers, and then in turn, there are suppliers, so that suppliers have suppliers, so that suppliers have suppliers, so that suppliers have suppliers, so are suppliers, so that suppliers, so are the suppliers, so that suppliers, so, suppliers, so that suppliers have suppliers, so that suppliers have, so that suppliers have, so that suppliers have, so that suppliers, so are the suppliers, so that suppliers, so are the suppliers, the suppliers, so that suppliers have, so that suppliers, they have suppliers, so that suppliers have suppliers, Three, “So in our case, it’s a mixture. Given the new atmosphere from the tariff’s point of view, we are really working hard to see what we can change, but it is difficult to change them.”

Rivians announced two new EV SUV lines, including a surprise.

He admitted that the rivian was not completely escaping from Trump’s tariff, but said that the EV manufacturer has “a very American-centered supply chain.”

“We all build big pieces here,” he told Claman, mentioning motors and batteries as an example. “We developed software stacks, electronics, but there are many components that come from a global supply chain.”

Scaring said, “There is a tremendous material that is coming from suppliers who are in the US, but also suppliers who are elsewhere”, while looking inside the R1S with Claman.

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During the interview, he also said that Rivian was expanding his plant in Illinois and asked Scaring if he was in contact with the White House, which was emphasizing to promote manufacturing in the US with tariffs and other measures.

“When we think of tariffs, surely 25% auto tariff hits everyone,” he said. “We rely on a supply chain that there are many components at its levels that come from other countries and then, significantly, trade restrictions and what we are looking for in the context of rare earth metals outside China is a real challenge. Electric vehicle,

China recently banned the export of some rare earth metals and magnets from its country.

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“Essentially every electric car on the road is using today called a permanent magnet motor,” Scarning explained, keeping in mind such magnets “usually uses some types of rare earth metals.”

He said that rare-earth metals can be found globally at many places, but “in terms of processing of materials, which occur almost especially in China.”

Scarring also talked about the EV industry and what is necessary to increase its share American vehicle marketAccording to Cox Automotive, EVS created 8.1% of the vehicle sales in the US in 2024.

“I think a large part of it is liking customers,” he said. “If you are buying an electric vehicle for less than $ 50,000 today, there are actually very, very less highly compelling options. And for this reason, you have seen Tesla with a long time with a very important market share, more than 50% of the market share, and it is actually a reflection of limited grade options.

He said what looks between EVs “different form factors, different features, different brands and styling and aesthetic remedies and aesthetic remedies.

The rivian currently produces R1S SUV, R1T pickup trucks and commercial electric vans. It also has R2 and R3 in the pipeline.