New video "Let's Just Drive" & official letter from RJ provides huge update!

[Gator42]

The thought Rivian puts into the decisions regarding execution are quite extraordinary. Witness the conversation about the Tank-turn. Much technical thought has to go into it, but so do the ethical and safety concerns. Rivian doesn't do anything without really exploring all aspects of that move. That's one of the many reasons I love this company so much.

I thought that was interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it seems practical Rivian is trying to be sensitive but on the other granting selective permission is a disturbing nannying of their customers. What else will Rivian feel need to police? It's a can o' worms...

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[DuckTruck]

@DuckTruck

At the 00:41 mark, someone states:

"I think it was a good opportunity to get a feel for what the truck is capable of. I think the better you understand its capabilities and its limitations the safer it's going to be and the better you're going to understand it. And that (pointing to track outside) provided us an opportunity to do that. And that's important."

I think we all want that type of experience - to have fun and also to understand the vehicle's capability.

Question: Was there any discussion of Rivian 'adding' to their adventure network by creating these off-road / test-track opportunities for all future customers either centrally (in Normal) or regionally (make more sense imo)? The fact that they included this part of the Q&A conversation suggests to me they're thinking about it. I'm wondering if it was discussed (pretty sure not ALL of the Q&A conversation included in the released clip).

I would imagine if offered, exclusively for Rivian buyers, the would have high demand - at least early in.

Thanks!!

Scott

Scott,

In fact, in casual conversation, RJ did mention that building a facility that would allow people to do that is a possibility. I don't recall any specifics about location, but he was pretty enthusiastic about the possibility of having a theme park type of setting that would include off-road driving.

Again, aspirational, but it sounds like a great idea to me.

 

[DuckTruck]

Did anyone else notice the mismatch in trims on this photo on the stories page:

Ocean Coast dash trim and seat colors, but all black steering and black wood trim in the center console?

Keen eye! There are vehicles from various stages along the production timeline that were in use around the plant. That some may have a bit of mix 'n match in their trim shouldn't be a surprise. As we had run the batteries low in some of the test vehicles, I rode back to the hotel in an earlier generation R1T with differences in trim from what we currently see in the Configurator.

 

[SeaGeo]

I don't really care about the cameras recording my drive (several insurance companies currently offer a discount if you install their dongle in your OBD port so they can monitor your driving)

This is a good point (at least for me). My insurance agency doesn't even offer an OBD dongle. They use a terrible app to automatically track you any time the app thinks your driving. Take a taxi with a terrible driver? To keep it off your data you have to manually go back and manually say that you weren't the driver on their website.

I'm ok with an insurance agency evaluating risk by driving profiles. Don't want that to happen with Rivian? Don't get their insurance.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

The thought Rivian puts into the decisions regarding execution are quite extraordinary. Witness the conversation about the Tank-turn. Much technical thought has to go into it, but so do the ethical and safety concerns. Rivian doesn't do anything without really exploring all aspects of that move. That's one of the many reasons I love this company so much.

I thought that was interesting. I'm not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it seems practical Rivian is trying to be sensitive but on the other granting selective permission is a disturbing nannying of their customers. What else will Rivian feel need to police? It's a can o' worms...

Agreed. I understand the need for caution and disclaimers... But ultimately I feel that owners should not be prevented from doing what they really want to do. Ultimately, the responsibility has to fall to the person operating the machine.

 

[IronChefBoyardee]

@DuckTruck
Question: Was there any discussion of Rivian 'adding' to their adventure network by creating these off-road / test-track opportunities for all future customers either centrally (in Normal) or regionally (make more sense imo)? The fact that they included this part of the Q&A conversation suggests to me they're thinking about it. I'm wondering if it was discussed (pretty sure not ALL of the Q&A conversation included in the released clip).

Ford is doing something similar for Bronco. They have a Bronco park in Central Texas that looks pretty amazing. It would be awesome to pick up our Rivians at the factory with a tour and off road experience.

https://broncooffroadeo.com/locations/texas

 

[EarlyAdptr]

Ford is doing something similar for Bronco. They have a Bronco park in Central Texas that looks pretty amazing. It would be awesome to pick up our Rivians at the factory with a tour and off road experience.

https://broncooffroadeo.com/locations/texas

Thanks @DuckTruck and @IronChefBoyardee !

Probably depends on what the "purpose" of such a location is - learning one's new vehicle capabilities and / or engaging new POTENTIAL customers ("no that you've had all that fun - want to buy?"). Could be both I guess.

But, I can't imagine a single location having the needed capacity. Seems like you'd want a variety of locations around the US - at least initially while engagement is high. Wonder if they would consider "outsourcing" this to an entrepreneurial enthusiast (regional franchises perhaps - to control consistency and quality?). Again, probably all depends on your purpose.

 

[SeaGeo]

Agreed. I understand the need for caution and disclaimers... But ultimately I feel that owners should not be prevented from doing what they really want to do. Ultimately, the responsibility has to fall to the person operating the machine.

Rivian has to (and should be) a little careful here. They obviously don’t want people to be able to do online national parks or on an interstate. Not gating in some way may open them up to some liability, but just being responsible as a company and having some intentional stewardship is appreciated. The trick is figuring out where the fine line is, obviously.

note: my immediate reaction is the same as yours, but we also probably aren’t the morons who will try to go do a tank turn in the middle of Glacier for a video or something.

 

[SeaGeo]

Thanks @DuckTruck and @IronChefBoyardee !

Probably depends on what the "purpose" of such a location is - learning one's new vehicle capabilities and / or engaging new POTENTIAL customers ("no that you've had all that fun - want to buy?"). Could be both I guess.

But, I can't imagine a single location having the needed capacity. Seems like you'd want a variety of locations around the US - at least initially while engagement is high. Wonder if they would consider "outsourcing" this to an entrepreneurial enthusiast (regional franchises perhaps - to control consistency and quality?). Again, probably all depends on your purpose.

If they let me pick up an R1T and have a plant tour + drive on the stuff in Normal, I’d make the flight out and drive my truck home as long as it doesn’t delay delivery. Heck, I almost did the same with Volvo to get a trip to Sweden.

So, to me, at least initially I think Normal is probably enough. What would be cool is having something regionally that provides the initial learning like you noted, as well as ongoing safe access to some areas to have fun for a nominal fee.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

If they let me pick up an R1T and have a plant tour + drive on the stuff in Normal, I’d make the flight out and drive my truck home as long as it doesn’t delay delivery. Heck, I almost did the same with Volvo to get a trip to Sweden.

So, to me, at least initially I think Normal is probably enough. What would be cool is having something regionally that provides the initial learning like you noted, as well as ongoing safe access to some areas to have fun for a nominal fee.

I went to an auto show where Jeep built an indoors, on-site obstacle course. It was all designed to be portable and I'm sure they toured the country with it that year. It even included a steep incline, so Rivian could theoretically recreate their course and Mount Rivian for weekend events as part of a traveling tour.

 

[emoore]

I went to an auto show where Jeep built an indoors, on-site obstacle course. It was all designed to be portable and I'm sure they toured the country with it that year. It even included a steep incline, so Rivian could theoretically recreate their course and Mount Rivian for weekend events as part of a traveling tour.

I've been on a few of the Jeep ones at the Denver auto show. Lots of fun and what's even better will be that if Rivian has a course like this I won't have to breath in exhaust fumes while I'm waiting in line.

 

[Ssaygmo]

Rivian has to (and should be) a little careful here. They obviously don’t want people to be able to do online national parks or on an interstate. Not gating in some way may open them up to some liability, but just being responsible as a company and having some intentional stewardship is appreciated. The trick is figuring out where the fine line is, obviously.

note: my immediate reaction is the same as yours, but we also probably aren’t the morons who will try to go do a tank turn in the middle of Glacier for a video or something.

I don't appreciate it being GPS locked. Bad drivers will be bad drivers, but it would drive me crazy not being able to use the tank turn on my own property, or turn off stability control, or whatever, due to some predefined arbitrary geo fence.

Just a warning that pops up every time you enable it should be fine. If some idiot wants to do donuts on a glacier, how is it any different using the tank turn, they will cause damage either way.

 

[SeaGeo]

If some idiot wants to do donuts on a glacier, how is it any different using the tank turn, they will cause damage either way.

Interesting point.

 

[EarlyAdptr]

If they let me pick up an R1T and have a plant tour + drive on the stuff in Normal, I’d make the flight out and drive my truck home as long as it doesn’t delay delivery. Heck, I almost did the same with Volvo to get a trip to Sweden.

So, to me, at least initially I think Normal is probably enough. What would be cool is having something regionally that provides the initial learning like you noted, as well as ongoing safe access to some areas to have fun for a nominal fee.

Totally with you SeaGeo!! I would welcome an opportunity to fly out and pick up my R1S

 

[Babbuino]

Totally with you SeaGeo!! I would welcome an opportunity to fly out and pick up my R1S

Same here. If it's an option, I'd choose it even if my delivery gets delayed.

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