Sumitomo wins big with early bet on EV startup Rivian

Once-secretive automaker now worth almost 100 times its original value

20211223N rivian pickup trucks nasdaq AP

A Rivian R1T all-electric truck in Times Square in New York on Nov. 10, the automaker's first day of trading. © AP

TAKEHIRO HASEGAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- In the spring of 2017, a Saudi business associate made an intriguing proposal to Yoshito Miyazaki, an executive at Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp., asking if he would like to invest in an interesting electric vehicle startup together.

The target of the pitch was Rivian Automotive, which at the time was still operating in stealth mode with hardly any information to its name. The CEO of the outfit, R.J. Scaringe, maintained an especially low profile.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.