Amazon ($AMZN) just tapped Michigan electric vehicle maker Rivian ($PRIVATE:RIVIAN) to support the creation of 100,000 delivery vans as part of a broader plan to fight climate change.
It's not the first time we have seen hiring escalating as automakers expand their network of renewables partners. Rivian was ramping up staffing earlier this year, we wrote at Thinknum Media, when it picked up a big check and a partner in Ford in April ($F). Job postings have increased 194% since March 1, 2019.
As for Amazon - when it announced an ambitious plan to fight climate change and put itself ahead of energy efficiency goals in line with the Paris climate change accord - it plans to be 100% on renewable energy by 2030 and report emissions on an annual basis. Separate from its investment from Ford, Rivian also picked up a big check earlier this year from Amazon to develop its autos.
Rivian has been on a tear raising funds from strategic investors, as others have struggled in the space this year. Earlier this month the company picked up a third 2019 check, of $350 million, from Cox Automotive, operator of auto sales sites like Autotrader.
About the Data:
Thinknum tracks companies using information they post online - jobs, social and web traffic, product sales and app ratings - and creates data sets that measure factors like hiring, revenue and foot traffic. Data sets may not be fully comprehensive (they only account for what is available on the web), but they can be used to gauge performance factors like staffing and sales.