What will we learn 6/7 - 6/13?

[CommodoreAmiga]

As a new company, would you bet on a vehicle in customers hands not having an issue of some sort, and then also them not complain about it?

If they put a vehicle out without the support network in place, Rivian would be a very short lived company

I expect FEW issues because Rivian should be going over every initial unit produced with many fine toothed combs.

And for the FEW issues that crop up, Rivian can address those with just a small number of mobile vans. Initially you could have a mobile van cover an entire state -- or even multi-state area because you've got a small number of units in the wild, and a low risk of issue. They get call about an issue, and the van immediately drives to you. They could effectively have next-day AM service during the launch and build out the mobile network to add techs as they deliver more vehicles.

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[Jarico75]

Could it be that they are hedging their bets? Not really sure if they will be success ? Haven’t realized that 99% of the time you won’t be driving in the bushes or outback, but driving in the streets? And that service centers cost big money to design, permit and build.. all over the country?

Rivian could hedge their bets using an alternative method of renting garage space. Might be dealers or local garages that would be happy to provide "Space

I expect FEW issues because Rivian should be going over every initial unit produced with many fine toothed combs.

And for the FEW issues that crop up, Rivian can address those with just a small number of mobile vans. Initially you could have a mobile van cover an entire state -- or even multi-state area because you've got a small number of units in the wild, and a low risk of issue. They get call about an issue, and the van immediately drives to you. They could effectively have next-day AM service during the launch and build out the mobile network to add techs as they deliver more vehicles.

Maybe from a maintenance perspective, you are right. However, from an accident perspective Rivian will need to have a solid support network. This will include availability of parts and expertise of large repairs.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Maybe from a maintenance perspective, you are right. However, from an accident perspective Rivian will need to have a solid support network. This will include availability of parts and expertise of large repairs.

Rivian will rely heavily on existing third party body shops for accident repair. Shipping parts is done via FedEx/UPS/DHL for small things and freight for large parts. Mobile techs aren't really part of that equation. Also, waiting a few days for parts is not the end of the world if your vehicle is damaged in an accident... you probably have rental coverage, anyway.

 

[jjwolf120]

At the end of the day though, this seems to be a rather straight forward problem to solve - certainly nothing that is special or unique to Rivian. It should not be a significant issue.

Not special or unique? How many car companies have been started in the last thirty years? Not to mention the complications of preparing to launch during a pandemic.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Not special or unique? How many car companies have been started in the last thirty years? Not to mention the complications of preparing to launch during a pandemic.

According to Wikipedia, this is the list of US auto manufacturers started in the last 30 years... It's a lot longer than you may think. And this is just the US list. Think globally will be many times larger!

Anteros Coachworks
Aptera Motors
Arcimoto
Bollinger Motors
Bremach
Czinger
Elio Motors
Equus Automotive
Falcon Motorsports
Faraday Future
Factory Five Racing
Global Electric Motorcars
Hennessey Special Vehicles
Karma Automotive
Local Motors
Lordstown Motors
Lucid Motors
Mullen Technologies
Myers Motors
Nikola Corporation
RAESR
Rivian
Rezvani Automotive Designs
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus
Shelby American
SSC North America
Tesla
Trion Supercars
Vanderhall Motor Works
Vaydor
VIA Motors
VLF Automotive
Wheego Technologies
Workhorse Group

 

[jjwolf120]

According to Wikipedia, this is the list of US auto manufacturers started in the last 30 years... It's a lot longer than you may think. And this is just the US list. Think globally will be many times larger!

Anteros Coachworks
Aptera Motors
Arcimoto
Bollinger Motors
Bremach
Czinger
Elio Motors
Equus Automotive
Falcon Motorsports
Faraday Future
Factory Five Racing
Global Electric Motorcars
Hennessey Special Vehicles
Karma Automotive
Local Motors
Lordstown Motors
Lucid Motors
Mullen Technologies
Myers Motors
Nikola Corporation
RAESR
Rivian
Rezvani Automotive Designs
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus
Shelby American
SSC North America
Tesla
Trion Supercars
Vanderhall Motor Works
Vaydor
VIA Motors
VLF Automotive
Wheego Technologies
Workhorse Group

How many on this list have actually delivered a vehicle. Tesla is the only one I recognize. Many of these are not actually car manufactures.

 

[Canthoney]

I predict we will learn little to nothing for June and probably half of July. But that’s the optimist in me ?

 

[Jarico75]

Rivian will rely heavily on existing third party body shops for accident repair. Shipping parts is done via FedEx/UPS/DHL for small things and freight for large parts. Mobile techs aren't really part of that equation. Also, waiting a few days for parts is not the end of the world if your vehicle is damaged in an accident... you probably have rental coverage, anyway.

Tesla cars rarely go to a body shop for repairs when they have accidents that involve more than just body repairs. Many of the repairs, specifically, suspension and electrical repairs go through Tesla only. Body shops do not have the skillset nor do they want the liability of doing something wrong on an EV. It is not until recently that Tesla has created their "Certified" repair shop program, but they still hold on to certain types of repairs.

 

[Jarico75]

Tesla cars rarely go to a body shop for repairs when they have accidents that involve more than just body repairs. Many of the repairs, specifically, suspension and electrical repairs go through Tesla only. Body shops do not have the skillset nor do they want the liability of doing something wrong on an EV. It is not until recently that Tesla has created their "Certified" repair shop program, but they still hold on to certain types of repairs.

Having said all that.......... Tesla can take months to return cars after accidents. Hoping Rivian has a better plan.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

How many on this list have actually delivered a vehicle. Tesla is the only one I recognize. Many of these are not actually car manufactures.

You may be surprised, but ALL of them were automotive manufacturers that either made, or plan to make full vehicles. MOST of them have actually delivered vehicles into the hands of paying customers.

Has delivered vehicles to customers
Anteros Coachworks
Arcimoto
Equus Automotive
Falcon Motorsports
Faraday Future
Factory Five Racing
Global Electric Motorcars
Hennessey Special Vehicles
Karma Automotive
Local Motors
Myers Motors
Rezvani Automotive Designs
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus
Shelby American
SSC North America
Tesla
Trion Supercars
Vanderhall Motor Works
Vaydor
VIA Motors
VLF Automotive
Wheego Technologies

Prototype demonstrated, but not yet delivered to customers
Aptera Motors
Bollinger Motors
Bremach
Czinger
Elio Motors
Lordstown Motors
Lucid Motors
RAESR
Rivian

No public prototype, but planning to release in future
Mullen Technologies
Workhorse Group

Prototype demonstrated, and still technically operating but will probably become defunct
Nikola Corporation

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Looks like someone is butt hurt.

 

[RWerksman]

Not special or unique? How many car companies have been started in the last thirty years? Not to mention the complications of preparing to launch during a pandemic.

Car companies are not the only organizations who need service locations for stuff that they've built. They aren't even the only transportation related companies who need to build out a service network.

Additionally, they didn't need to build out a network during the dark days of the pandemic. They need to build one out right friggin now without letting it be a constraint to where they can deliver vehicles to. I've hired hundreds of people, and a company can move lightning quick when they are properly motivated, which I would sure hope that Rivian is. Finally, while there are preferred qualifications (read the job descriptions) the bulk of the qualifications are quite general.

 

[jjwolf120]

The point being that producing several super cars

Additionally, they didn't need to build out a network during the dark days of the pandemic. They need to build one out right friggin now without letting it be a constraint to where they can deliver vehicles to.

So, exactly how do they build out service centers now? Magic Fairies? If they wanted to have service centers all over the country now, they would have had to start building them during the dark days of the pandemic. It is very difficult, in normal times, to build out a nation wide organization in normal times. Tesla is still struggling with having enough service centers currently.

 

[RWerksman]

So, exactly how do they build out service centers now? Magic Fairies?

Wow, that's pretty condescending, my dude. You're not being creative enough.

The answer is they don't. They've already communicated how they were largely going to do it - by hiring mobile technicians that will preform the majority of the service needed onsite. If they need to preform a more complicated procedure, they would provide a loaner and trailer your truck away.

The location they take it to can be anywhere - including third party independent shop or even a service center from a dealer that Rivian doesn't compete with. (think Lexus or Mitsubishi, or even a dealer network like AutoNation, Penske, or regional players like Cochran in Pittsburgh) These agreements should have been worked out long ago. If they are doing it now, shame on them.

Anyway, Rivian will need to supervise the JIT part shipment logistics, coordinate scheduling and billing, and produce loaners to distribute based on actuarial estimations of failures and customer unit deliveries.

Like I said, none of this is rocket surgery. It's not at all unprecedented. If I can put a sketch of it together, anyone who is creative enough could. It shouldn't be the bottleneck holding up deliveries - Covid or not.

If there are bottlenecks, it's likely due to part shortages, design defects, or general execution competence.

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