Rivian temporarily pausing R1 configurator due to production line shutdown

[KRG]

What do they mean the Standard pack+ "Now starts at" ... was there a price change? Are they mroe expensive now?

No, but the $69.9k starting price is a new low price point with the recently launched standard pack. They dropped the entry prices like a month or two ago.

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[CharonPDX]

I'm not sure I see them getting the glove boxes in, but I think they will have a NACS port, the new steering wheel we saw from the R2, maybe a heat pump, and the thinner front light bar.

No way they switch to NACS this soon. Every carmaker said 2025 at the earliest, with multiple implying it would be late 2025 on 2026-model-year vehicles. (Unless this shutdown is going to be significantly longer than anyone expects.)

 

[evhelphub]

I still don't believe we're going to see a whole lot of new features on the vehicle. What we're seeing at this point is Rivian trying to get profitable on each vehicle so I expect to see simplification of production and we already know that they're reducing the number of ECUs in the vehicle etc.

The vouchers are just another step towards that they're not going to custom produce vehicle for folks that have pre March 2022 pricing and those that do have to take delivery by September 30th or they lose their pricing. It's go time for Rivian. They need to get to profitability.

Introducing a bunch of new features and changes would bring more complexity. They need to reduce that. And reduce costs so I still don't think we're going to see a hugely refreshed vehicle here.

Of course I can only speculate since I have no inside information.

We will mostly see pain points addressed and perhaps making current standard features optional to lower the initial price point further, along with removal of redundant structures and components, which RJ has already explicitly stated they will be doing.

 

[evguy]

I still don't believe we're going to see a whole lot of new features on the vehicle. What we're seeing at this point is Rivian trying to get profitable on each vehicle so I expect to see simplification of production and we already know that they're reducing the number of ECUs in the vehicle etc.

The vouchers are just another step towards that they're not going to custom produce vehicle for folks that have pre March 2022 pricing and those that do have to take delivery by September 30th or they lose their pricing. It's go time for Rivian. They need to get to profitability.

Introducing a bunch of new features and changes would bring more complexity. They need to reduce that. And reduce costs so I still don't think we're going to see a hugely refreshed vehicle here.

Of course I can only speculate since I have no inside information.

I wonder if the changes include finally integrating the LFP pack for the standard battery on the R1 line. That should enable them to drop the R1 starting price even lower. Anything then can do to expand the addressable market before R2, without sacrificing profitability, will be great.

 

[jfoonly]

In case it's not clear, this applies to everybody. I got the email too, as a recent depositor and configuration-locker. Now my config is gone, and apparently I can cancel and get a refund, and I'll see the new pricing in May. The shop has also been updated. Filters immediately change the list, year is added, and more options (2023, blue/red/yellow, forest edge) are not selectable. Even without filters, there seem to be far less vehicles in the shop, so they must have burned through alot of inventory. This all sounds to me like no new builds are starting, they'll just finish whats on the line now.

 

[Rividiculous]

I read it differently. It sounds like vouchers can only be used for shop purchases, not post-shutdown custom builds.

If so, why don’t they just say so? I’m confused. And slightly miffed because I kept asking them about it (except to say they wouldn’t change the rules without notice), so I’ve been waiting on the refresh.

 

[jjswan33]

I still don't believe we're going to see a whole lot of new features on the vehicle. What we're seeing at this point is Rivian trying to get profitable on each vehicle so I expect to see simplification of production and we already know that they're reducing the number of ECUs in the vehicle etc.

The vouchers are just another step towards that they're not going to custom produce vehicle for folks that have pre March 2022 pricing and those that do have to take delivery by September 30th or they lose their pricing. It's go time for Rivian. They need to get to profitability.

Introducing a bunch of new features and changes would bring more complexity. They need to reduce that. And reduce costs so I still don't think we're going to see a hugely refreshed vehicle here.

Of course I can only speculate since I have no inside information.

Adding some new features people have been asking for could really help juice that second half demand. I agree it's important that they can get reasonable margins but having the right volume is also necessary.

 

[brancky3]

IMO it’s too early for a refresh. I hope this is retooling to prepare for the R2 while supply is outweighing demand in the R1 space. There’s no reason to continue with custom orders when there is shop inventory available

 

[evguy]

If so, why don’t they just say so? I’m confused. And slightly miffed because I kept asking them about it (except to say they wouldn’t change the rules without notice), so I’ve been waiting on the refresh.

They said: "The voucher is redeemable in R1 Shop." So might be useable for refreshed builds if they hit the Shop by Sept. 30. I just don't think it's safe to assume that they'll allow the voucher to be used for post refresh custom builds.

https://rivian.com/support/article/what-is-a-preorder-price-voucher

 

[RivianuserR1T]

There is very limited shop inventory right now. Only silver, black, or granite R1S.

 

[VSG]

All these changes are aimed at cost savings.

Getting rid of existing inventory is a huge cost savings, because after the refresh each vehicle will be profitable. Current vehicles sell for a "loss". Getting this loss off the books is a huge win. Price-protected vehicles are also a liability, which was supposed to be off the books by now (if everyone bought their vehicle as soon as it was available). Rivian has already shipped way more vehicles than they had reservations before March 2022. They need to stop giving away vehicles to these early order holders - buy now or forever hold your peace.

Imagining huge improvements as a result of the shutdown is just fantasy - new features are expensive, Rivian can't charge *more* for a refreshed vehicle at current interest rates and in the current market (which affects all vehicles), and Rivian doesn't need the expense right now of recovering costs for new features.

The new features will come, but not in the April shutdown.

 

[steilkurve]

Just got an email saying I'd get R1 shop access in May... Given this, will there be any inventory left before the line reopens?

 

[NoUserName]

I had a feeling this was about to happen, and when they told me the quad motor trim that I wanted was available, I jumped at the chance a few weeks back. Kind of amazing to read this 1 week later, I might have had to wait a long time otherwise…

Just got this email. I still believe the line shutdown

 

[Grabs10]

With like every refresh from any auto manufacturer you get a msrp price hike and some very minor incremental vehicle changes. Rivian will be the same

 

[Prime]

Cost cutting on the way..

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