Fielding Questions on your R1

[Donald Stanfield]

Occasionally, I get asked in parking lots or, in today's case, a parking structure how I like my truck. Today, I was running late to my dermatologist appointment and had someone ask me about my Rivian. He was driving a Tacoma and said he looked into Rivians but never actually talked to someone who owned one. I told him I loved it and recommended he buy it. I also mentioned the favorable lease and financing rates right now. I should get cards printed with my referral code on them or something.

How many of you guys get asked by random people about your Rivians? What do you say?

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[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I usually try to talk to them for as long as I can. Love showing off things like the tunnel, how I feel it is a more secure place for tools than a bed-mounted box, etc. People have many questions about charging, range, "fit & finish", are the most common. There's a saying that the best way to learn something is to teach it to others.

That said, was leaving Fair Oaks Mall maybe a year ago and a family said hi and that their little boy loved the look of the trucks. I was in a rush and didn't have time to talk long. Always felt bad about that, I should've let him sit in it. Random family, if you read this, I still think about you.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I have let a few people sit in it and I wish I had more time today but it was 10:02 and I had an appointment for 10.

 

[KBabione]

It happens to me surprisingly often - I even met one guy who worked on the Rivian navigation system a couple of years ago before he retired! Comments/questions fall into two distinct camps:

• People who know - These are the most fun because they've heard of Rivian and usually just want confirmation that you love it as much as they expect you to
• People who don't know - These are the curious people who just gape when you put your groceries in the frunk and I inevitably have this dialog:
  • "What IS that?"
    • "A Rivian"
  • "Who makes it?"
    • "Rivian - they're a new American car company"
  • "Yeah, but WHO makes it?"
    • "Rivian - It's made by Rivian in Illinois"
  • "Never heard of them"

 

[Mr. Ham]

• "What IS that?"
  • "A Rivian"
• "Who makes it?"
  • "Rivian - they're a new American car company"
• "Yeah, but WHO makes it?"
  • "Rivian - It's made by Rivian in Illinois"
• "Never heard of them"

Ha. I can't count how many times I've had this exact conversation.
Its so funny that its always exactly like that.
Either way I enjoy spreading the word.

 

[Armeniandave]

I have been asked also and my answer has evolved. At first it was like heck yeah
get it! It's so awesome, 835hp, electric, etc. However 50 plus days in the shop has
tempered my enthusiasm, so when people ask I will say it's the funnest vehicle I've
had but you should probably wait until they get more service centers and the QC
is under control. If you don't mind the downtime you will probably have then it's a
great vehicle. Personally I'm probably looking at going to something else more
reliable until Rivian gets more mature as a company.

 

[NY_Rob]

^ I'm also 100% transparent when it comes to Rivian Service Center distance (2 full days for folks around here.. one day to drop it off and return home, another full day to go to Brooklyn, pick it up and drive it back out to eastern Long Island) and the long/multi-month waiting list.

I do love the vehicle, but you simply can't 100% endorse it without mentioning the above items. I would hope a complete stranger would do the same kindness to me when recommending something as expensive as a Rivian.

 

[beatle]

It happens to me surprisingly often - I even met one guy who worked on the Rivian navigation system a couple of years ago before he retired! Comments/questions fall into two distinct camps:

• People who know - These are the most fun because they've heard of Rivian and usually just want confirmation that you love it as much as they expect you to
• People who don't know - These are the curious people who just gape when you put your groceries in the frunk and I inevitably have this dialog:
  • "What IS that?"
    • "A Rivian"
  • "Who makes it?"
    • "Rivian - they're a new American car company"
  • "Yeah, but WHO makes it?"
    • "Rivian - It's made by Rivian in Illinois"
  • "Never heard of them"

These are the most common chats I have with people as well. You should have responded with "Illinois? Right between Indiana and Iowa. Been around since the early 1800s."

 

[Donald Stanfield]

For me, the service has been a non-issue. The centers are several hours away, which sucks, but they have come to my house for every repair except for one, and they picked it up and dropped it off. They also gave me a loaner that was an identical vehicle for the entire time. I was completely satisfied with my service experience.

It sucks that everyone hasn't had the same reliability and service experience I have because it's a huge reason why despite having the choice of other vehicles on the market, I'm most likely to get the R1S for my next car purchase shortly. I don't think there's a better SUV on the market if you're talking about electric in the size I need.

 

[KBabione]

Either way I enjoy spreading the word.

Oh - don't get me wrong...I definitely enjoy talking about the Rivian, even to those who "don't know."

 

[Zoidz]

There's only a few other Rivians in my area that I have seen (I see one less than once a week), so they are relatively rare compared to some other areas. Once or twice a month people ask. I'm always happy to talk about. I also tell people that EVs in general are not for everyone. That seems to be beneficial, people who come across as skeptical seem to listen and discuss it more once they realize I am not going to try to convert them to an EV.

 

[Glembi2]

Rivian drivers that I’ve met are pretty friendly. I cannot say the same for other drivers.

There's only a few other Rivians in my area that I have seen (I see one less than once a week), so they are relatively rare compared to some other areas. Once or twice a month people ask. I'm always happy to talk about. I also tell people that EVs in general are not for everyone. That seems to be beneficial, people who come across as skeptical seem to listen and discuss it more once they realize I am not going to try to convert them to an EV.

Good approach. I sometimes wonder if people want to start a conversation to provide them with a forum to educate us on why EVs are a dumb choice.

 

[Billyt1963]

I get less questions that I thought I would. I live in rural Middle TN, truck country, so I sort of blend in. I will answer any questions and give information they may not know to ask. I am honest and say they are a new company with growing pains.

 

[Laserboy1054]

• • "What IS that?"
    • "A Rivian"
  • "Who makes it?"
    • "Rivian - they're a new American car company"
  • "Yeah, but WHO makes it?"
    • "Rivian - It's made by Rivian in Illinois"
  • "Never heard of them"

Dang, I didn't see you standing behind me the dozen times I've had that, almost verbatim, conversation!

The part you left out is the nearly "Who's On First" Tesla references:
"It's an EV"
"That's a Tesla?"
"No, it's a Rivian"
"So Tesla makes something that looks like that? I thought they looked like shiny dumpsters!"
Etc.

The other difference is that I _always_ point out that "they're all made right here in Illinois--just up the road in Normal." (I'm 150 miles from The Mothership.) That is a _huge_ deal in this area! People who were just casually curious stop for real and want to know _way_ more.

Unless I'm in a rush, I'm always happy to chat. Honestly, other than my house, this is the most expensive item I've ever bought and it's a bit of a strain not to wear out my welcome with my friends by bragging about it. So having someone invite me to do so is a welcome relief!

 

[Donald Stanfield]

It happens to me surprisingly often - I even met one guy who worked on the Rivian navigation system a couple of years ago before he retired! Comments/questions fall into two distinct camps:

• People who know - These are the most fun because they've heard of Rivian and usually just want confirmation that you love it as much as they expect you to
• People who don't know - These are the curious people who just gape when you put your groceries in the frunk and I inevitably have this dialog:
  • "What IS that?"
    • "A Rivian"
  • "Who makes it?"
    • "Rivian - they're a new American car company"
  • "Yeah, but WHO makes it?"
    • "Rivian - It's made by Rivian in Illinois"
  • "Never heard of them"

I used to get the whole who's on first routine all the time too. There are a lot of Rivians around here now, so most people know what it is. Now I get asked how I like my electric truck not so much what kind of truck is that.

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