Official Rivian Email: A Look Ahead to 2023. Rivian Membership cancelled and unbundled into subscription services

[DJG]

Ya I really think they need to add more apps, games, streaming videos that kind of stuff before they start charging for the LTE.

Why, every single other automaker resells LTE connectivity with the most basic of functionality? Tesla is the only one that allows you to do other things like games and video.

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[ads75]

This is the worst kind of communication. "We are going to start charging subscriptions for things. But we won't tell you yet what those are or how much they are."

Count me in the camp that thought the first year being covered was the first year of my ownership, not the first year of Rivian delivering. I think most other manufacturers are charging subscription fees now, so Rivian isn't any different in that regard.

I don't mind paying to use RAN, it isn't anywhere near me. And I have to pay to use any other network.

Maybe the next update will have meaningful software updates that people will be willing to pay a subscription for. But I doubt it.

 

[zefram47]

They didn't say that everyone would unanimously agree it was better, they said they believed their own approach was a better one and they'll stick to it until forced to do otherwise. It's up for the market to decide for themselves. If you don't think it's worth paying for LTE to stream music or get live traffic, etc. you are within your rights to not pay for it. Simple. If that makes the vehicle no longer worth owning. Sell it. Simple. The LTE connectivity is just going to mostly be a cost passthrough of what it costs from AT&T, it's not a profit center for Rivian and they probably care little what people choose. Perhaps they make a dollar/month out of it, but it's really just about offering the option so that owners can get the most out of the vehicle.

In other vehicles with CP/AA, they still offer connectivity and plenty of people pay for it, because it offers something they feel is worth the price. I paid something like $400/year for connectivity in my Audi, for example. I liked the live traffic for the virtual cockpit, among other things. Others didn't I'm sure.

Speculating out your ass...because Rivian provided zero details. But hey, keep spouting hot air and countering everyone in here.

 

[Dark-Fx]

hoping thats not true but will be a complete joke that without LTE we wont have navigation in vehicle. my 13 year old Highlander navigation works without connectivity. should be able to work on GPS and installed maps alone. and this makes the lack of AA and Carplay that much more glaring. why should i pay for LTE on my R1 when i have it on my phone? guess those 3rd party phone mounts are going to see a boon with Rivians.

Current navigation works without the truck being connected but it's a lot slower to process a route than when it's connected. I expect it'll still function without a data connection, but you're not going to get the live updates, traffic information, nor charger status. Rivian might still give that stuff away for free if you're connecting the vehicle to a wifi hotspot on your phone, but I wouldn't expect that.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

 

[Taco Corp]

Thinking about this more, I don't get why they would even have sent this out. Rather than giving media, owners, potential owners etc.. two weeks to speculate and decide if it's worth it to pay for connectivity to get basic functionality. Just send it when you're ready to fully disclose. What do they gain here?

 

[Diddy123]

IMO Rivian is obligated to provide free charging for at least 1 year from when owners took delivery

We were explicitly told that membership was free for a year after purchase. Membership included free charging on the RAN, free roadside assistance, and free connectivity. This was a major selling point and value proposition - and 1 year was promised to be included in the price of the car.

I will be challenging this with my guide, and you all should do. This is clear bait and switch for current owners.

I'm sure there was some fine print in there somewhere that clearly states they actually are not obligated, but still...not cool.

 

[lmr]

I'm just a bit disappointed in the RAN expected coverage for 2023. The following is not a lot and doesn't cover anything in CA, which must be a lot of customers.

"We plan to add multiple routes in the next few months, including Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, Portland to Central and Southern Oregon and I-95 connecting NYC to DC."

From what I have been able to find, California has 7 RAN locations already active, 2 currently under construction, and an additional 16 that are in Permit/Planning stages. Unfortunately though, I have not seen any confirmed sites in the L.A. or San Diego areas that have reached the Permit/Planning phases yet. Doesn't mean there aren't any that are moving forward, just none that anyone has reported information on yet.

 

[Zorg]

I think it's smart. Tesla made a mistake giving free supercharging for years.

Hopefully subscriptions are priced reasonably and provide decent value.

 

[DJG]

Speculating out your ass...because Rivian provided zero details. But hey, keep spouting hot air and countering everyone in here.

Are you willing to bet I'm wrong??

 

[joelster]

Hey, at least we don't have to pay a monthly subscription to use our seat warmers.

 

[mattgray600]

It is also great how there are NO planned Service Centers in Alaska in the update. In a recent chat they indicated no plan for 2023, thus NO delivery of ANY Rivian's for ANYONE in Alaska for all of 2023.

 

[AdamUCF]

I'm convinced that Tony Caravano is like a bad developer/IT person... Do bad work so that everything is super byzantine and only you can maintain/fix it. Job security!

 

[GOFAST]

What is most important to me is defining which services are considered Beta and what are considered ordinary/already purchased. I think this email only conveyed some of the beta services. Are regular updates beta? Is capability that already exists (horsepower, torque) considered beta?.....Mercedes charges more $$ for more HP without any changes in motors

- I would pay for an apple car play subscription as part of "Enhanced Connectivity Subscription"
- I will be annoyed if I have to pay for LTE to use Spotify through the Vehicle's user interface, as I signed up for a year of Spotify only because I bought the R1T. I'm fine with $10/month or similar
- I never use the maps feature for anything other than charger details. Directions are horrible.
- I don't care about driver +....most days it says I need my system calibrated IOT use.
- I don't care about the RAN network as none are nearby. Sounds like they will effectively be the same as any other charger network come April anyway.

I have no problem with paying for services that provide real value as I get the need to make a profit, but I could also see switching to a ridgeline if I need to pay hundreds each year for current capability and possibly thousands for updates.

 

[joelster]

I think it's smart. Tesla made a mistake giving free supercharging for years.

Hopefully subscriptions are priced reasonably and provide decent value.

My wife's ID.4 gets an unlimited number of 1/2 hour EA charging sessions for three years.

I am bummed that I will probably never see a RAN charger in person before the free charging deal is sunsetted.

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