The investment will offer partnership opportunities in digital retailing, service operations and logistics, Cox said in a statement. It will also give Cox a seat on the Rivian board.

It is the third major investment in Rivian this year and follows $US700 million ($A1.02 billion) raised from investors led by Amazon, and $US500 million ($A730 million) two months later, in April, from Ford Motor Company.

“We are excited by Rivian’s unique approach to building an electrified future and to be part of the positive impact its products will bring to our roads and the world around us,” said Cox Automotive president Sandy Schwartz.

Rivian R1S

“This investment complements Cox Automotive’s own commitment to environmental change through our ‘Cox Conserves’ efforts.”

Cox Automotive Mobility Group president Joe George said: “With the electrification of vehicles set to play a significant role in the new mobility future, this partnership opens another channel of discovery and learning for Cox Automotive.

“Advancements in battery technology and the electrification of fleets are two of our primary focus areas, and we believe this relationship will prove to be mutually beneficial,” he said.

Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe indicated that the partnership with Cox will help it provide high-level services to its customers.

“We are building a Rivian ownership experience that matches the care and consideration that go into our vehicles,” Mr Scaringe said.

“As part of this, we are excited to work with Cox Automotive in delivering a consistent customer experience across our various touchpoints.

“Cox Automotive’s global footprint, service and logistics capabilities, and retail technology platform, make them a great partner for us.”

Cox Automotive has a number of specialties, such as logistics, fleet management, and service and digital retailing, which provides the retail support that Rivian will need when selling and servicing its vehicles.

Rivian R1T

It can also dovetail its fleet services brand Pivet, which Cox started in January, to handle task management of a fleet, from fuelling to detailing and storage.

Cox also has expertise in subscription service programs, and while Rivian has not announced moves into this area, it is seen as a desirable business feature for the future.

Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises and has about 30 automotive brands, including Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Pivet and RideKleen. Its Manheim asset is responsible for transporting, servicing and auctioning vehicles across more than 150 global locations.

Rivian launched in 2009 as Mainstream Motors and then changed its name to Rivian in 2011. It first revealed its electric R1T pick-up and R1S SUV at the Los Angeles motor show in November 2018.

The company now employs more than 1000 people in four development locations in the US and the UK. The majority of work is done in Michigan to be close to the automotive supply chain.

It also has autonomous vehicle technology centres in San Jose and Irvine, California, and owns a factory in Normal, Illinois, that previously was owned by Mitsubishi in a joint venture with Chrysler Corporation called Diamond-Star Motors.

Rivian has said that deliveries of its pick-up and SUV, based on a flexible skateboard platform similar to GM’s Autonomy concept, will begin in the US late next year.

Each model has all-wheel drive and are claimed to have a driving range of up to 640km.

By Neil Dowling