Lightning has gone to Norway - should R1s?

[KootenayEV]

https://electrek.co/2024/02/12/ford-first-f-150-lightning-outside-north-america/

Looks like Ford is taking the Lightning over to Norway. If (when?) Rivian runs into a demand issue for the R1 line, they should look at Norway too.

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[Red Shirt Wookie]

I'm surprised we're not already over there. Did you do the due diligence? ?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Ford announced they were going to be selling them in Norway in April of last year. Guessing it just plain took that long to do the proper homologation stuff for Norway.

Press release said they'd be starting the sales this year.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...ghtning--goes-global-as-ford-announces-i.html

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

https://electrek.co/2024/02/12/ford-first-f-150-lightning-outside-north-america/

Looks like Ford is taking the Lightning over to Norway. If (when?) Rivian runs into a demand issue for the R1 line, they should look at Norway too.

Ford has existing presence and customer support infrastructure in place. Rivian does not. US customers are already having difficulty getting support in a timely manner. Think? Is what you propose making any sense?

The answer is “hell no”. If Rivian wants to or needs to sustain demand, it’s down to a product at lower price and with broader appeal: R2. And it’s down to improving production quality as well as rapid expansion to service network… so it can turn the corner on current service situation and not let it be a deterrent for existing and potential buyers. Full stop.

 

[R1S88]

I spent a week in Norway on vacation last August (put the fjords on your bucket list). The > 80% EV penetration was remarkable, but equally notable was the dominance of Chinese manufacturers. Tesla has a big share, but it seemed like every block in Oslo had a BYD, or Nio, or Voyah, or other Chinese EV maker showroom. We hailed a cab outside Oslo and our reaction after we got in was...what make car is this? it's much nicer than a Tesla Model S...it was a BYD. Rivian has a chance, due to their niche focus, but I am very bearish on US legacy manufacturers long-term. The Chinese are far ahead in Europe, where there are no import restrictions. Manufacturers should not delay their global expansion, or risk falling too far behind.

 

[KootenayEV]

Ford has existing presence and customer support infrastructure in place. Rivian does not. US customers are already having difficulty getting support in a timely manner. Think? Is what you propose making any sense?

The answer is “hell no”. If Rivian wants to or needs to sustain demand, it’s down to a product at lower price and with broader appeal: R2. And it’s down to improving production quality as well as rapid expansion to service network… so it can turn the corner on current service situation and not let it be a deterrent for existing and potential buyers. Full stop.

Tesla had similar issues that have ebbed and flowed as they went from only the S/X to the 3/Y with timely service. It also depends on a given area. I've had good service here in BC, but perhaps the local market here isn't saturated yet compared to other locations.

I'm suggesting Norway as another place IF R1 demand becomes a problem between now and the R2 program (which Rivian have already said is intended to be a global platform) because it is a wealthy market and has many buyers already used to EVs (less overhead educating people).

 

[BigSkies]

There will be a time for international sales.

Now is not it. But I expect it’s only a short number of years. I expect Rivian to have a decent idea of demand and to add international sales when appropriate.

They did already ship some EDV’s overseas. I expect their initial R1 markets will overlap with the international EDV markets.

 

[rraj2k81]

Rivian's already there, albeit via an importer,

Rivian R1T first impressions - YouTube

And if you go based on Bjorn's impression, Rivian will be a success up there.

 

[KootenayEV]

Rivian's already there, albeit via an importer,

Rivian R1T first impressions - YouTube

And if you go based on Bjorn's impression, Rivian will be a success up there.

Didn't realize Bjorn had just released a vid - ssshhhhhiiiiiiitttteeeee - will have to watch later

It probably wouldn't do that well on the banana box test though, since the gear tunnel has such a specific shape. The van would do great though lol.

 

[R1S88]

How Norway Built An EV Utopia While The U.S. Is Struggling To Go Electric | CNBC Documentary

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