Because they only consume news from certain preferred outlets. Ones that portray all EVs as foreign... and never think to make any effort to fact check with a few seconds of web query (which is always right at their fingertips whenever they have their internet connected "smart"-phone). In the time anyone asks "what is it?", they could've figured it out on their own and then some.
Like that French manufacturer, Chevrolet.It's probably because 'Rivian' is not a familiar 'American' word so he thinks it's some foreign made vehicle from some alien land
He would have been impressed if you had demonstrated Launch Mode for him while he as a passenger.
It's not like the companies don't promote themselves. Who founded them and where they are based is all public info, accessible within seconds. Bottom line is when people are being willfully ignorant, it doesn't matter how many times you tell them or how loud you are. They've got it in their heads all EVs are foreign invaders. Lucid is around 64% owned by PIF (Saudi sovreign investment fund). The brand is not without baggage.
Some people are certainly (and blissfully) ignorant, but had I not spend a lot of time in EV circles, I'd be hard pressed myself to know where Lucid and Rivian originated and I consider myself decently informed. Wouldn't hurt if they pushed themselves more as American brands without getting too obnoxious about it.
Again, don't have to be a EV enthusiast or know anything about EVs to visit any company's site or do a web search to get basic background info. These people decided they weren't interested enough to do even that. The average human are social creatures. And some, more than others, require a sense of belonging. If their "tribe" holds certain beliefs, they'll cling to those beliefs.
Fair enough!
