January/Feb delivery windows

[hed]

I think there is a danger in an erosion of good will.

When we received our Model S in 2013 we were genuinely pulling for Tesla to win. That has mostly lasted through all the good and bad that is Tesla. Though they are changing as they get larger, I still pull for them because of the momentum they created for the EV movement. Even despite Musk's antics. Of course even Tesla is vulnerable if the bad starts outweighing the good.

Rivian is a different beast. They do not have the same advantages that Tesla did imho. Though the pandemic has bought Rivain some understanding, that won't last indefinitely. Rivian really is racing against the clock and other manufactuers.

My guess is Rivian's thought process is a belief that once the truck is released to the general public (in meaningful numbers) the product will be so compelling a rough rollout will be forgotten. Maybe, but time can/will take it's toll, more so if there are any issues with the product.

Right now, I think Rivian would be best served by doing a better job tempering expexctations and by proactively communicating.

If we the resrvation holding customer, get a sense, a sort of implication by what Rivian says (or doesn't), that the vehicle release is right around the corner, what happens if it isn't? Sooner or later frustration, then antagonism starts to creep in.

The way Rivian has been gong about this makes pulling for them more difficult and it gets harder the longer all this goes on.

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[SANZC02]

I’m wondering if it is a supply issue, if they are having issues getting some parts, they could deliver to employees and have the parts installed when they arrive. That is not really as easily doable at scale for customers.

I’m not saying that is the answer, would be nice to have Rivian share their reasoning, not only to the reservation holders but to the investors as well. An honest explanation may not be great initially but would probably pay dividends in the long run.

 

[SeaGeo]

An honest explanation may not be great initially but would probably pay dividends in the long run.

Exactly. I don't bullshit my clients. And they call me because they know I don't bullshit them. Even when I tend to be the person to deliver bad news.

Bruce appreciated RJ telling him that the 20s would serve his purposes and to not get them AND 22s. People appreciate it when other people are honest with them, particularly when it isn't in the short term interest of the person providing the answer.

 

[IlliniRivian]

I think there is a danger in an erosion of good will.

I'd say that ship has already sailed. This board is filled with eager, early adapters and its quite clear goodwill has evaporated with a large group here.

I still have my reservation, I'll still take delivery, and I expect I will still love the R1S BUT when I sing the praises of the vehicle I will warn anyone about the terrible customer experience from deposit to delivery. Why? I value my own reputation and I am not going to tell someone I know half the story about the company or the vehicle.

 

[Riviot]

A very small fraction of Rivian pre orders have other orders with other companies and might choose a Lightning over the Rivian.

I beg to differ. @SeaGeo and I are in the same boat, even the same metro area. I'm sure many others not on the internets boards are as well.

I have an F150 order placed, and if it arrives first and I decide I really like it, I won't end up taking my R1T reservation. If I had a sense that Rivian would be hitting delivery dates, I wouldn't have placed that order. I definitely *want* and R1T more than an F150.

? Never thought I'd feel this way, but here we are, wave 1 Lightning build and Nov2020/June2021/Sept2021/Nov2021/Dec2021/April/May2022 R1T

 

[RWerksman]

I'd say that ship has already sailed. This board is filled with eager, early adapters and its quite clear goodwill has evaporated with a large group here.

I still have my reservation, I'll still take delivery, and I expect I will still love the R1S BUT when I sing the praises of the vehicle I will warn anyone about the terrible customer experience from deposit to delivery. Why? I value my own reputation and I am not going to tell someone I know half the story about the company or the vehicle.

I find this whole situation mind blowing, honestly. They've worked so, so hard in design and company construction and they are throwing it away by alienating many of their early adopters.

And they do it to themselves! Over and over and over....

Nov2020/June2021/Sept2021/Nov2021/Dec2021/April/May2022 R1T

 

[turbome]

When I placed my preorder back in July 2019 I fully expected Rivian to miss their estimated delivery dates since they are a start up and that is a huge hill to climb. That was before Covid so I completely understand the delays. Even normal products are still sometimes hard to get right now. What I don't understand and what I do agree with everyone else on this forum is why is there zero communication from Rivian? There is no excuse for not updated preorder holders with the current situation as far as deliveries go. I am a March-April delivery date and have not heard a peep since given that date. I assume that date will not happen as the Jan-Feb people have not heard anything either. It would be nice to get some sort of updates from Rivian and I think that would go a long way toward people feeling more compassionate about missing dates.

 

[Shzeph]

It’s probably cold comfort at this point, but it seems like we aren’t the only ones suffering through repeated delays

 

[SeaGeo]

Positive news. People have heard of a likely day beyond Feb before the month ended.

 

[mgc0216]

Positive news. People have heard of a likely day beyond Feb before the month ended.

Counterpoint: I think those who have heard that had to reach out to get the information rather than being told proactively.

 

[SeaGeo]

Counterpoint: I think those who have heard that had to reach out to get the information rather than being told proactively.

Yeah. that's still an improvement over Oct/Nov.

 

[RWerksman]

It’s probably cold comfort at this point, but it seems like we aren’t the only ones suffering through repeated delays

At least it's posted somewhere for reference and not emailed a single time or has to be requested over and over and over to a Guide who most of the time has no information.

I just checked the Rivian site, and nope, nothing new there.
I just checked my installed Rivian app and nothing there either.

Maybe if I worked for Rivian though....

 

[nc10]

...................
SeaGeo said:
Field service technicians too? I'm curious how many sales they will lose by missing delivery dates and people thinking their production ramp is going poorly.
.....................
I think it's less than you think. There isn't an EV truck that you can go out and buy today.

I look at it differently. It appears they can sell all they can make now. There is no excess production capacity in the foreseeable future. Sales/deliveries not made last year, not made in January, Feb, March etc are gone forever. I agree, existing pre orders aren't likely to go away, but they are missing sales they could have made to someone.

I hope delivery indications don't slip too much more, but the lack of info and past Rivian and overall EV industry history of setting and missing expectations is definitely worrisome.

 

[delmi]

Has anyone been contacted because even if you were due to get a vehicle in late February I would expect you to have been contacted to confirm the build. I would soon expect the March/April people to hear too.

 

[electruck]

so, does this thread die on 3/1 and everyone moves over to the March-April thread... or do we just rename this one as the "still no delivery bitchathon"?

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