Rivian Manufacturing Chief Heads to Stellantis Ahead of EV Push

by Chris Teague

Published: August 21st, 2024

rivian manufacturing chief heads to stellantis ahead of ev push

The next few years will be make-or-break for Rivian. The automaker plans to release a handful of new models over that time, but it will do so without its current VP of manufacturing. Tim Fallon is leaving the company for “greener pastures” at Stellantis, where he will take over the North American head of manufacturing role.

Rivian confirmed Fallon’s departure yesterday. He spent two years at the automaker and 16 years at Nissan before that. Fallon’s move comes at a time when Rivian and Stellantis are hoping to get new models out the door. Rivian is looking to its upcoming R2 and R3 vehicles as its volume sellers going forward.

Stellantis has several new EVs in its pipeline but has struggled with quality and other issues at its U.S. facilities. The company’s North American COO, Carlos Zarlenga, said, “Tim brings his relentless pursuit of operational excellence and strong track record of manufacturing experience, including electric vehicle production, to Stellantis as we enter this critical stage of our transformation. With this year marking the start of our electric vehicle offensive, I have full confidence that Tim’s passion and collaborative spirit will lead the team to deliver the highest quality vehicles for our customers.”

Rivian has seen other executives leave the company and will tap Carlo Materazzo, its current supply chain and logistics VP, to fill Fallon’s role. The company recently paused production of its Amazon delivery van and retooled its Illinois factory to lower production costs, but the next couple of years will be full of challenges that will require a talented manufacturing professional.

[Images: Rivian, Stellantis]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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7 of 24 comments

VoGhost on Aug 21, 2024
Interesting. Nearly every TTAC commenter thinks that EVs are dead in the US (despite constantly rising sales - can't let reality get in the way of their feelings!). So why would Stellantis appoint as head of manufacturing an expert in EV manufacturing? Hmmmm.

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- Jeff on Aug 21, 2024
  Many do believe EVs are dead and some hate and fear them.
  
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- Macca on Aug 22, 2024
  Jeff - who 'fears' EVs?
  
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- VoGhost on Aug 22, 2024
  Macca, you want to know who fears EVs? Mechanics. Mechanics fear EVs, because EVs have 3% of the moving parts of ICE. And moving parts are what keep mechanics employed.
  
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- Jeff on Aug 23, 2024
  All you have to do is read comments on past TTAC articles relating to EVs to know the fear and hate of EVs. From the comments it would appear that the World was ending and that civilization as we know it would perish because of EVs.
  
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- Macca on Aug 26, 2024
  VoGhost - I guess they'll have to 'learn to code' then? It's not like there aren't wear parts on EVs as well, although you make a good point - it won't be the same type of repairs typically. Jeff - positioning someone's valid concerns as a 'phobia' is a worn-out (but effective) political trope. I happen to be an ICE car enthusiast, and it has nothing to do with 'fearing' EVs. I don't bemoan someone's personal decision to purchase an EV. There's far more afoot with the physical realities of energy supply that makes an all-EV future far less 'inclusive' than the current automotive landscape. Again, no 'fear', just facts and the ability to reason. If you lack even a basic understanding of our sources and uses of energy, then yes, you can blithely dismiss valid arguments as 'fearfulness'.
  
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Npaladin2000 on Aug 22, 2024
Bringing in someone whith EV experience is smart...if EVs are still a growth market. But now that the early adopters have beens atisfied and there's a bunch on the used market for cheap, that market is starting to peter out.

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