Three plaintiffs allege Rivian misrepresented first generation R1T and R1S self driving abilities, setting up a high stakes case with wider implications for EV advertising.

Rivian is facing a lawsuit over allegations that the electric-vehicle maker made false statements about the autonomous driving capabilities of its R1T and R1S models.

The complaint, filed on Wednesday with the U.S. Central District Court in California, focuses on the first-generation R1T and R1S models and claims that Rivian marketed these flagship vehicles as capable of driverless driving.

No software update – not even the most advanced – will enable first-generation vehicles to achieve the claimed capabilities.

– lawsuit

The complaint also states that Rivian, over five years and as part of a coordinated nationwide marketing campaign, promised to make the Driver+ system standard in all vehicles the company makes. It mentions RJ Scaringe’s participation at TechCrunch Disrupt 2022, where alleged statements about the company’s autonomous ambitions were made.

The case lists three named plaintiffs and asserts claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. Coleman Law and Tycko & Zavareei serve as lead plaintiffs’ counsel and have requested a jury trial.

Earlier, Rivian agreed to pay $250 million to settle a shareholders’ lawsuit after a price increase for its R1 pickup and SUV in 2022.

The first-generation R1T and R1S do not offer hands-free driving. The second generation, updated in...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE9VZzZ2ejl1T3Ywdm5iZEJ4NkVn...