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Rivian hires Magna Steyr executive as COO, report says

electruck

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https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/rivian-hires-magna-steyr-executive-coo-report-says

EV maker Rivian has hired a top executive from a major auto supplier as its next COO, according to people familiar with the matter, an effort to get its troubled manufacturing operations back on track.
Rivian has struggled to ramp up production, citing supply chain constraints such as a shortage of semiconductors. To help tackle those production snags, it has chosen Frank Klein, the head of the car-making unit at Canada's Magna International Inc., said the people, who declined to be named.
A representative for Rivian declined to comment.
Klein was one of Automotive News Europe's Eurostars in 2021 for his work in expanding Magna Steyr's contract manufacturing business.
Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe told analysts Thursday that a COO would be named next week, saying the new executive would focus on scaling up the company's production and supply chain operations.
"With our 2022 priorities, we've been very focused on ensuring we have the right team working towards our mission," Scaringe said on a conference call.
The EV-maker is closely followed and backed by a long list of stellar investors. But it has struggled since a blockbuster November IPO, as parts shortages and production hiccups have pummeled the stock. Rivian has been without a COO since the beginning of the year when Rod Copes stepped down after less than two years on the job.
Klein, who did not respond to a request for comment, has been at Magna Steyr since April 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Since July 2020, he has been president of Magna Steyr, the company's contract vehicle-manufacturing arm based in Austria. Prior to that, he spent 25 years with Daimler AG.
Magna spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst declined to comment.
Rivian expects to build 25,000 vehicles in 2022, including two consumer models and a battery-electric delivery van for investor and customer Amazon, less than half of planned capacity at its Normal, Ill., factory, which the company has blamed on supply chain constraints.
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nc10

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Thks. Not familiar with Magna Steyr, limited info on linkedin, but from the info he sure sounds like a good fit for Rivian's needs. Fingers crossed!
 

mini2nut

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Smart move as this person most likely has tons on relationships with vendors. Iā€˜m sure his network is like a slider web with tons of insider contacts who can help Rivian get out of the vendor log jam they are currently in.

Rivian is not a Ford, GM or Toyota. They donā€™t have a lot of ā€œpullā€ thanks to them being a virgin in the auto industry and low production volume.
 

crashmtb

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Thks. Not familiar with Magna Steyr, limited info on linkedin, but from the info he sure sounds like a good fit for Rivian's needs. Fingers crossed!
Magna is HUGE.

Its owner, frank stronach, is a vile vile person.
 

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HFL. Hallelujah.
 

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Magna is HUGE.

Its owner, frank stronach, is a vile vile person.
If true I hope Frank feels the pain on this one. Mr Kline is probably extra happy to move on and work hard for Rivian.
Brook
 

RoadRunner

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Magna Steyr factory in Austria will be manufacturing the Fisker Ocean. They're apparently well regarded and have experience building high end cars for a variety of brands. Sounds like a good move for Rivian.
 

Joel

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Magna Steyr factory in Austria will be manufacturing the Fisker Ocean. They're apparently well regarded and have experience building high end cars for a variety of brands. Sounds like a good move for Rivian.
They build 100% of the Mercedes G-wagon and also the BMW Z. I think they also do the new Toyota Supra.
 

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Zoidz

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I don't know anything about Klein, but this should be huge for Rivian. Magna's well established and big. They did the early production years of the X3 in Austria until BMW built the US plant, they have done builds for Jeep, Volkswagon, Mini, etc. Good news!
 

Zoidz

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They build 100% of the Mercedes G-wagon and also the BMW Z. I think they also do the new Toyota Supra.
Yes, the Supra was a joint effort with BMW. The Supra is essentially a Z chassis/drivetrain with a Toyota body.
 

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On paper this seems like a good hire. I would feel much more confident if the person mostly responsible for the 3/1 insanity got bounced very soon.

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