Start-Up Automaker Changes Name Before Launching Production in Florida

Submitted by Anonymous on March 10, 2011 - 1:46pm

A Brevard County-based car maker announced Thursday that it had changed its name to Rivian Automotive.

The company, formerly Avera Motors, made the switch after it was sued in federal court by Korea-based Hyundai Motor Co. Hyundai, which makes a car called the Azera, claimed trademark infringement.

Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe said the company's new moniker "pays homage in part to the Indian River Lagoon considered by the Environmental Protection Agency as an 'estuary of national significance.'"

The company says the name change will have little impact on plans to release its first model, a coupe, for commercial sale in early 2013, with additional models following in 2014.

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