RJ - One classy CEO (Story)

[Robin]

Sad but great story here (I couldn’t find anything with the search function, but the gentleman was probably on here…): I thought I was the first official delivery of a Rivian in Quebec last June (per Rivian), but it turns out I was not – there had been a single delivery in January 2023.

A recently retired gentleman had ordered his R1T in 2019, found out he had Lou Gherig’s disease and that he probably would not, considering the delays for Canadian deliveries, ever get to drive his truck.

He wrote to RJ on LinkedIn. RJ had him come for a factory visit and a test drive in 2022. In January 2023, they delievered his R1T to his house – no idea how they managed that in a market which had yet to be opened - it wasnt even close back then.

He never got to drive his truck and passed away last week.

That is one classy CEO.

Article in French: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...n-sensible-aux-demandes-dun-quebecois-mourant

????

Sponsored

 

[oskeei]

Rivian executives seem to be a bit more approachable vice firewalled. My experience was I found an email address for Tony Caravano (the customer engagement/experience director) and emailed him for help. I would have been happy if someone on his team had responded but would not have been surprised to get a boiler plate response or bounced to someone that was on the "front line".

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a personal response from him and his response showed he had taken the time to read my email. Probably impossible for them to keep this up but was impressed that he was paying attention. This was 18 months ago so I assume no way he could respond directly to consumers directly now.

 

[DuoRivian]

Rivian executives seem to be a bit more approachable vice firewalled. My experience was I found an email address for Tony Caravano (the customer engagement/experience director) and emailed him for help. I would have been happy if someone on his team had responded but would not have been surprised to get a boiler plate response or bounced to someone that was on the "front line".

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a personal response from him and his response showed he had taken the time to read my email. Probably impossible for them to keep this up but was impressed that he was paying attention. This was 18 months ago so I assume no way he could respond directly to consumers directly now.

They still do. I have email RJ about a service issue and got a response from him (followed on from an email I sent him about factory pickup and what a great experience that was). He responded both times in a genuine way.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Having witnessed the steep physical decline ALS can have on a family member it really means a great deal having community, or even in this case, a stranger step up and be there for them. Hats off to RJ.

Here is a translation for anyone looking to read the article en Englais

Before taking his last breath after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on September 2, a Quebecer passionate about the Rivian electric vehicle brand received an unexpected boost from CEO R.J. Scaringe during his efforts to purchase the company’s first pickup truck in Quebec. Guy Charest ordered his pickup truck on the American company’s website in 2019.

He was then starting to plan his retirement. Several trips with his wife, Julie Thériault, were in the plans. However, two years later, fate struck with the announcement of his diagnosis with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease. A race against time then began for the aeronautics consultant. He wanted to be able to drive a Rivian as soon as possible. Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe (centre) invited Quebecers Julie Thériault (left) and Guy Charest (right) to his plant in Normal, Illinois. Less than two years before his death, Guy Charest had the opportunity to drive a Rivian pickup truck. It was the only time he was able to do so. Photo provided by Julie Thériault That's when he wrote to Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe on LinkedIn. He told him his story. For Mr. Charest, it was like writing to an idol, so much did he admire his career path. "Guy told him he wanted to drive a Rivian while he still could," Julie Thériault recounts in an interview with Le Journal. "We were taking all the legal responsibilities to make it happen." Touched by the Vaudreuil resident’s story, Scaringe sent an email to one of his managers saying that they had to “do something special so that Mr. Charest would have his truck.” They thought of several scenarios so that Mr. Charest could drive his Rivian before his illness started to take hold. “They tried everything,” says Ms. Thériault. “Since they couldn’t send the vehicle to Quebec, they tried to hire Guy as a representative and even as a test driver.” Meeting with the Pope After a few weeks of fruitless efforts, Scaringe decided to invite the Quebec couple to his plant in Normal, Illinois, in November 2022. Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe (center) invited Quebecers Julie Thériault (left) and Guy Charest (right) to his plant in Normal, Illinois.

Guy Charest had the chance to chat with the man he had admired for several years, Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe. “I cried at the attention. Even though he had difficulty walking, Guy could get around on his own. He could still drive,” explains Ms. Thériault. “We were treated like royalty.” The cherry on the cake was the meeting of Scaringe. “R.J. came out of a meeting to meet us. For Guy, it was like meeting the Pope. He had been following his career path for several years. “For my part, it was R.J.’s generosity that struck me. He is a brilliant and humane man.” After a tour of the factory, the innovation enthusiast, who would turn 61 next month, was able to test the vehicle on and off the track for an afternoon. “It was a dream come true for him. He loved driving it for a few hours, especially in the off-road section, where there were big rocks,” his wife said. An emotional delivery In January 2023, in the middle of a snowstorm, the couple’s Rivian truck finally arrived at their Vaudreuil home. However, the symptoms of ALS were too severe for him to drive his dream vehicle again. “His hands were too weak, but we took the truck to his medical appointments. He was proud to see his Rivian truck in our yard.”

 

[Wispitgood]

Sad but great story here (I couldn’t find anything with the search function, but the gentleman was probably on here…): I thought I was the first official delivery of a Rivian in Quebec last June (per Rivian), but it turns out I was not – there had been a single delivery in January 2023.

A recently retired gentleman had ordered his R1T in 2019, found out he had Lou Gherig’s disease and that he probably would not, considering the delays for Canadian deliveries, ever get to drive his truck.

He wrote to RJ on LinkedIn. RJ had him come for a factory visit and a test drive in 2022. In January 2023, they delievered his R1T to his house – no idea how they managed that in a market which had yet to be opened - it wasnt even close back then.

He never got to drive his truck and passed away last week.

That is one classy CEO.

Article in French: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...n-sensible-aux-demandes-dun-quebecois-mourant

RJs history and conviction is my number three reason for ordering a R1T last week.

 

[MannyMan]

Rivian executives seem to be a bit more approachable vice firewalled. My experience was I found an email address for Tony Caravano (the customer engagement/experience director) and emailed him for help. I would have been happy if someone on his team had responded but would not have been surprised to get a boiler plate response or bounced to someone that was on the "front line".

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a personal response from him and his response showed he had taken the time to read my email. Probably impossible for them to keep this up but was impressed that he was paying attention. This was 18 months ago so I assume no way he could respond directly to consumers directly now.

You’d be surprised. He still does. He’s a great guy; Rivian in general has great executives.

 

[amadeoplaza]

I love this. Like everyone is saying, you'd never see this from a legacy automaker. Though, to Tesla's credit, they did almost the same thing earlier this year with the Cybertruck for a reservation holder diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

https://electrek.co/2024/03/18/tesl...a has helped a cancer,sooner or at a discount.

 

[Dave Cundiff]

Who knows what another automaker would have done with the same request and situation?

What we DO know is that RJ stepped up in a classy way.

Thanks, RJ! ?

 

[Riv_Ian]

Very inspiring!

 

[MasterofWilford]

Sad but great story here (I couldn’t find anything with the search function, but the gentleman was probably on here…): I thought I was the first official delivery of a Rivian in Quebec last June (per Rivian), but it turns out I was not – there had been a single delivery in January 2023.

A recently retired gentleman had ordered his R1T in 2019, found out he had Lou Gherig’s disease and that he probably would not, considering the delays for Canadian deliveries, ever get to drive his truck.

He wrote to RJ on LinkedIn. RJ had him come for a factory visit and a test drive in 2022. In January 2023, they delievered his R1T to his house – no idea how they managed that in a market which had yet to be opened - it wasnt even close back then.

He never got to drive his truck and passed away last week.

That is one classy CEO.

Article in French: https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...n-sensible-aux-demandes-dun-quebecois-mourant

Anyone here have a personal connection with RJ? If so, can you please tell him to adequately staff and build more service centers? Rivian from time to time produces absolute trash and those vehicles end up in purgatory. Lack of quality service centers scare away potential new buyers and could be the downfall of his company.

 

[PostMinivanDad]

Anyone here have a personal connection with RJ? If so, can you please tell him to adequately staff and build more service centers? Rivian from time to time produces absolute trash and those vehicles end up in purgatory. Lack of quality service centers scare away potential new buyers and could be the downfall of his company.

Ill take "Doing something in the wrong place" for 1000$ please Alex.

Come on man, there are 50 threads for this elsewhere...

 

[pinolero]

Meanwhile the CEO of my wife's auto brand wants to fight Brazil for ... having laws

Now he's inciting violence and claiming it was all a "joke". Complete night & day from RJ. Can't wait for my R2!

Sponsored