Asia Tech Wire (July 3) -- U.S. electric car company Rivian said Tuesday that it has no plans to produce cars in partnership with Volkswagen Group.

Earlier media reports said Rivian was in early talks with Volkswagen, seeking to expand the relationship beyond software to hardware and production operations.

Options include producing Rivian's R2 electric midsize SUV at Volkswagen's under-construction U.S. plant in South Carolina.

The companies announced last week their intention to form an equally held and owned joint venture to create next-generation electrical architecture and best-in-class software technologies.

Underpinned by the vision of the strategic partnership, Volkswagen plans to make a $5 billion investment into Rivian.