R1T & R1S commonality.

[R1Tom]

I wish Monroe hadn't been locked up, as we would have seen alot more great content I am sure....

But, one thing I think Rivian should really be commended for is the incredible amount of commonality between the R1T and R1S. You can even throw in some EDV too.

I am not aware and can't think of any other manufacturer, that has shared so much, between the pick up and SUV versions of a truck. It really is pretty amazing. Two entire markets, served by basically one design, components, assembly methods, etc...

This must be a significant benefit in both sourcing components and cost of those components. And engineering hours, manufacturing, etc...

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[Madsen203]

Pretty sure the expedition is the same as the F150?

The Suburban is similar to the Silverado.

Very much the same/commonalities that you speak I
Of.

 

[R1Tom]

I don't think those are nearly as similar as the R1S and R1T. Take a look at the sheet metal, front ends, headlights, tailights. Basically all sheet metal components appear different.

Sure...those platforms share a fair amount, but Rivian's use exactly the same headlights, front bumpers, hoods, wheels, tires.

Maybe one I missed is the Wrangler and Gladiator. Those do share all components that reside in same location. But the F150/Expedition and Silverado/Suburban I don't think share as many parts as the Rivians do.

 

[mindstormsguy]

Sure, nowadays. But look at a late 90s or early 2000s Silverado and Suburban. They’re as identical as the R1T and R1S. Inside and out.

Rivian isn’t the first to save money in this way.

 

[Madsen203]

Sure, nowadays. But look at a late 90s or early 2000s Silverado and Suburban. They’re as identical as the R1T and R1S. Inside and out.

Rivian isn’t the first to save money in this way.

This.

 

[R1Tom]

Sure, nowadays. But look at a late 90s or early 2000s Silverado and Suburban. They’re as identical as the R1T and R1S. Inside and out.

Rivian isn’t the first to save money in this way.

My comments weren't saying it hasn't ever been done. Or that it was ground breaking.

Just that they made some seriously good decisions on the design to accommodate both so well.

I wonder why Ford and Chevy went away from it, noting that they did share more back 20 years ago, than they do now. I am thinking the designs just deviated to meet customers desires, but then I come back to how Rivian did a good job, designing the R1T/S so both markets seem to love the overall design of each, while being largely the same.

 

[BigSkies]

I think what's different about Rivian is the commonality in the exterior components that are identifiable just by looking at it.

You go with a company like GM, and you have a single platform they build numerous models on top of. But GM goes to efforts to make them look different from the outside.

 

[R1Tom]

I think what's different about Rivian is the commonality in the exterior components that are identifiable just by looking at it.

You go with a company like GM, and you have a single platform they build numerous models on top of. But GM goes to efforts to make them look different from the outside.

Agree. So then I come back to the efforts to make them look different from outside, which is ultimately big money. So from my initial post, I come back to how Rivian did a really good job, with the design, in a way that they didn't need to spend that money to make them look different. That the same design, appeals to both markets, where apparently, in the last several decades, the others haven't been able to do.

 

[CharonPDX]

As others have said, there have been plenty. While nowadays, most big carmakers do do at least some sheet metal/plastic body differentiation, they all make so many models, it isn't a big deal to change that sheet metal/plastic. They're already making body components for two dozen models, what's one more?

For Rivian where they are just starting out, having the commonality is a *LOT* more important, to minimize possible supply chain difficulties with just one model. I figure once they are cranking them out with no major supply chain issues - and especially once they have multiple actually different models, making minor differences between related models might happen.

 

[crashmtb]

I don't think those are nearly as similar as the R1S and R1T. Take a look at the sheet metal, front ends, headlights, tailights. Basically all sheet metal components appear different.

Sure...those platforms share a fair amount, but Rivian's use exactly the same headlights, front bumpers, hoods, wheels, tires.

Maybe one I missed is the Wrangler and Gladiator. Those do share all components that reside in same location. But the F150/Expedition and Silverado/Suburban I don't think share as many parts as the Rivians do.

uhh F150/expedition, Silverado/suburban/Tahoe have most everything in common. similar different lengths of the same sausage strategy. It is less evident now with styling differences and the SUVs having IRS. But was much clearer in the early 2000s and earlier.

all of the things that make ‘em go and stuff you touch is the same.

 

[R1Tom]

Ok. You have all convinced me that either the costs to make completely different metal stampings, bumper molds, headlights assemblies, etc... are insignificant for major automakers or that they are all the same on those vehicles. Works for me.

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