The Unforeseen Twist: How a Hyundai Lawsuit Gave Birth to Rivian’s Name
As Rivian gears up for a new chapter in electric vehicles with the highly anticipated R2, it’s clear that this innovative company is creating quite a buzz in the automotive industry. Those lucky enough to experience the R2 have praised it as one of the best electric vehicles within its price range. This new release is monumental for Rivian as CEO RJ Scaringe has openly expressed his vision of transforming the brand into a household name.
However, few may realize that Rivian had a different identity for about a year before embracing its now-iconic name. RJ Scaringe recounted this journey on the popular podcast, How I Built This, revealing that a lawsuit from Hyundai played a pivotal role in shaping the brand we know today. Originally founded in 2009 under the name Avera, the company initially targeted the sports car market, emphasizing fuel efficiency. Scaringe even built a prototype inspired by this goal but soon recognized the need for a shift in direction.
In 2010, a lawsuit from Hyundai forced Scaringe to rethink the company’s name. The Korean auto giant took issue with the similarity between Avera and its own Azera sedan, leading Scaringe to realize that engaging in a legal battle wouldn’t be feasible given the company’s limited resources. Instead, they chose to redirect their efforts toward brainstorming a fresh identity.
After countless hours of discussion, the team settled on “Rivian,” a name derived from “river” and “Indian,” reflecting Scaringe’s childhood memories near Florida’s Indian River. The new name was not only unique and easy to pronounce but was also free of negative connotations in various languages. The imagery of a river evoked feelings of movement and flow—a fitting representation for a company on the cutting edge of automotive innovation.
Both parties managed to find common ground, allowing Hyundai to continue selling its Azera in the U.S. until 2017, while Rivian embarked on its new journey. After months of silence from Rivian, the team focused intensely on technology development and design. By 2013, they unveiled their first prototype truck, embarking on a long emotional ride of revisions that ultimately led to the celebrated R1T.
Today, Rivian stands as a testament to resilience and adaptability, proving that sometimes setbacks can forge new paths—transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. With its innovative R1T and the forthcoming R2, Rivian is poised to leave a lasting imprint on the automotive landscape, signaling a thrilling new era for electric vehicles.