Et tu, RJ?

[ruawahoo2]

RJ,

I hope that this short letter finds its way to you somehow. I’m sure you’ve gotten more negative feedback in the past 24 hours than you ever have as head of Rivian. As has been expressed, many of us feel betrayed by the price hike. But I hope my comments offer some perspective as to why I feel betrayed.

I know some have pointed out the retroactive application of the price to all those early adopters. Others point to the way your company communicated it to us. Still more point to all the standard features which are now upgrades. I agree with everyone of them.

But where the betrayal hits the hardest for me is I feel Rivian just abandoned its vision of a new future of outdoor recreation it so beautifully sold. With the Rivian R1T, you told me that I would be able to go places I have never been in the world in a sustainable fashion. And you told me this was all possible in a vehicle that cost $65-80K.

For me, that meant with a splurge, I’d have a truck I drove for 10 years and made thousands of memories with my family before my children grew up. It meant that I could sustainably support the youth adventure activities at the congregation I attend. It meant I could drive to work or Moab without contributing to some of the worst air pollution in the United States (Salt Lake, Utah).

But it also meant that if I could do it, so could so many others. I have preached Rivian’s gospel at every chance I got: family, friends, and co-workers. And we in Utah know a little something about proselytizing. I was relentless.

So you can imagine the dismay and frustration I, and so many others, felt when we learned that Rivian was pricing us out. Rather than be an incredible vehicle at an accessible price, you’ve just made it a luxury vehicle. And by doing so, you closed the door to Rivian’s vision. It’s no longer about accessibility. You just made it about exclusivity… and those of us who have been some of your longest and most of vocal disciples today are no longer invited to your vision. That’s why I feel betrayed.

Please make this right. I’m not ready to give up on your vision. Please don’t give up on us!

Sponsored

 

[mtw777]

Well said. I think this captured a bit of my frustration too. They targeted the Subaru crowd but priced it like a Bentley. Obviously it was going to cost more than the former, but I think people were prepared to go to that price point.

They've seemingly crossed some invisible line where the young(er), active customers they were vying for aren't even on the radar anymore for the most part. It's a shame.

 

[moosehead]

Politely suggest striking the please in the last paragraph, actually drop both pleases.

Part of me thinks your heartstring creating memories hook would work on someone like RJ. But it's becoming clear that was a false impression of RJ.

 

[wicked2112]

BRAVO!!!!!!

 

[Tim-in-CA]

RJ,

I hope that this short letter finds its way to you somehow. I’m sure you’ve gotten more negative feedback in the past 24 hours than you ever have as head of Rivian. As has been expressed, many of us feel betrayed by the price hike. But I hope my comments offer some perspective as to why I feel betrayed. .......

Very nice sentiment, but I believe this is the reaction you'll be getting from Rivian to your emotional plea :

 

[EVTrucking]

I think there is no going back. Laura Schawb was right months ago but got fired for it.

 

[E.S.]

Politely suggest striking the please in the last paragraph, actually drop both pleases.

Add: Forward this to RJ directly, instead of posting it on a forum he doesn't frequent or visit at all. It will be much more productive at getting whatever point people will have across.

Sponsored