R2 Changes Since 2024 (Mike Kantorski)

[ElGuano]

But are you missing the fact that influencer can be and have been DETRIMENTAL to a newcomer or brand? It's a double edged sword.

Present company excluded, I've personally found much more detrimental and newcomer-hostile attitude in forums (including this one) than anywhere in the influencer community.

The Rivian channels I've seen, including RivianTrackr, Rivian Roamer, Mike Kantorski, Travis Ketchum, Duke of Middleville, Isaiah's Updates, all present factual content, not all of it is for me personally, but they contribute info and updates to the community.

The various community forums however, have actually surprised me with how loud some of minority unkind/acerbic/intolerant voices are, especially for such an "outdoor/adventure/granola" brand. IMHO, these are the voices that actively drive away interest from Rivian and its vehicles, not the Youtube talking heads.

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[Rivian Roamer]

Present company excluded, I've personally found much more detrimental and newcomer-hostile attitude in forums (including this one) than anywhere in the influencer community.

The Rivian channels I've seen, including RivianTrackr, Rivian Roamer, Mike Kantorski, Travis Ketchum, Duke of Middleville, Isaiah's Updates, all present factual content, not all of it is for me personally, but they contribute info and updates to the community.

The various community forums however, have actually surprised me with how loud some of minority unkind/acerbic/intolerant voices are, especially for such an "outdoor/adventure/granola" brand. IMHO, these are the voices that actively drive away interest from Rivian and its vehicles, not the Youtube talking heads.

I've also noticed this – the hostility and superiority coming from it. Of course, this isn't true of everyone. But gatekeeping information is not the way to go. Some people will always push it, especially If it isn't their day job. There will always be over hype, clickbait, etc.

But that's the great part of a free market. People can choose to engage or not.

 

[mkhuffman]

I've also noticed this – the hostility and superiority coming from it. Of course, this isn't true of everyone. But gatekeeping information is not the way to go. Some people will always push it, especially If it isn't their day job. There will always be over hype, clickbait, etc.

But that's the great part of a free market. People can choose to engage or not.

In defense of the reactions in this forum, it is a different social platform than a place like YouTube.

When people go to YouTube, there is an expectation you will be assaulted with advertisements, and you have expectations that a lot of the videos are AI creations meant to generate clicks.

This forum is not like that. It is mostly a collection of owners, and so there is a resistance to advertisers in general. It is a community of owners sharing things about their trucks, so when a member joins with motives other than socializing with other owners, people can overreact.

Can you imagine what would happen if an AI bot posted an AI generated video about the R2? I bet it would eventually be removed by the admins due to the negative fallout. Yet that crap is everywhere on YouTube.

I like the way sponsors and advertising add value in this forum. Like this thread. And I really like how it is real people standing by their work. Like you did, @Mikekantorski_tech. Even though you are making videos to make money, you are a real person, and that matters. A lot. So thanks for participating, and thanks for the thick skin.

BTW - since I avoid YouTube, unfortunately I won't be following you there. I just don't do that. If you post stuff on Rumble, let me know. I will follow you there for sure. Just not YouTube...

 

[dubthedank3st]

Thank you for the share!


This may have not been news for you or a lot of people on this website but there are a lot of people that still don't know what a Rivian even is. I hope this reached those people and the people waiting on any information of R2 because Rivian has been pretty much silent.

I'd also like to say that I don't hack any video for ad placements. This is a hobby during my free time after work. I actually try to shorten them as much as i can.

But thank you for watching, and thank you OP for sharing my content! Much appreciated.

Hey @Mikekantorski_tech - what overshirt is that in the video? Looks dope and super comfy.

I have been influenced.

Thanks.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

I don't think anyone is missing the fact that it may be helpful to a newcomer. But are you missing the fact that influencer can be and have been DETRIMENTAL to a newcomer or brand? It's a double edged sword.

For many, it's just the general feeling that influencers across the board - cars, electronics, music, relationship coach, pet breeds, whatever - may or may not be truthful or accurate, and are motivated by clicks and money. How much true expertise or qualification does it take to promote yourself as an influencer? None. How many times have we seen influencers that get exposed for not living the life or actually using the products they promote?

There was a recent uproar because some influencer in the music realm gave a blisteringly bad review of an electronic product. She was completely unqualified to review the device (not even a music device), but tens of thousands of followers drank the Kool-Aid and damaged the brand.

That's the problem.

I will counter you and say technically you don't need experience or qualifications to hold a political office either and yet...

Yes there are some terrible Youtubers out there, but you're putting them all into a group and judging them immediately and having them prove their worth from a negative standpoint. Mike actually just really likes EVs. A lot of Youtube influencers like EVs and they do it in their spare time because they genuinely love their Rivian. They don't receive anything from Rivian for doing the content with their 10s of thousands of views. Mike has less than 10k. Duke of Middleville has less than 9. No car company is going out there and offering them a bunch of money. They share their experiences and the news they have. You don't need to watch everyone. You just find a few that gives good info on the updates and you respect and stick with them. I have my few. Miss Go Electric give me a quick overview of EV news in the world. Mike gives Rivian updates as he gets them. Duke of Middleville (I watch only a few videos and come back every now and then) just shares his life and adventures with his EV. You seem to think everyone is a sellout, but there are people out there who just do it because they love it and its a disservice to just assume first without watching their content.

Also, videos like this one is what keeps the R2 in the forefront of peoples minds as we wait. It's hard to stay hyped for 2 years, especially with information overload these days. A video like this reminds people it exists and it is coming. Especially when Rivian hasn't released any information about the configurator or price yet with all this competition being announced. Like it or not, influencers can play a role in keeping things relevant and exciting. Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean you bash it.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Present company excluded, I've personally found much more detrimental and newcomer-hostile attitude in forums (including this one) than anywhere in the influencer community.

The Rivian channels I've seen, including RivianTrackr, Rivian Roamer, Mike Kantorski, Travis Ketchum, Duke of Middleville, Isaiah's Updates, all present factual content, not all of it is for me personally, but they contribute info and updates to the community.

The various community forums however, have actually surprised me with how loud some of minority unkind/acerbic/intolerant voices are, especially for such an "outdoor/adventure/granola" brand. IMHO, these are the voices that actively drive away interest from Rivian and its vehicles, not the Youtube talking heads.

Either the Rivian influencers aren't that varied, or we have very similar watching habits (I watch most of them, some more frequently than others),

 

[ndmiller]

For me, R2 is going to come down two things: range and charging speed. If the AWD large pack is 350+ miles and the 10-80% is less than 25 minutes, I am in. If not... looking toward Audi, BMW, or Volvo from my next ride.

+1 along with it's got to be a form factor design I'm interested in....already know and the checkmark is there. What I'll get if it's a fail, we'll just keep existing vehicles get a refund on the deposits and wait for the Scout or 2026+ options.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

For me, R2 is going to come down two things: range and charging speed. If the AWD large pack is 350+ miles and the 10-80% is less than 25 minutes, I am in. If not... looking toward Audi, BMW, or Volvo from my next ride.

+1 along with it's got to be a form factor design I'm interested in....already know and the checkmark is there. What I'll get if it's a fail, we'll just keep existing vehicles get a refund on the deposits and wait for the Scout or 2026+ options.

+2

I’m very interested in the charging curve and range numbers. The competition is not slowing down on the battery/charging front, so it’ll be disappointing if Rivian just stagnates like Tesla has with the Model 3 and Model Y on charging.

 

[Zoidz]

Exactly.

If there is an influencer problem, then it is with the people uneducated enough to be inappropriately influenced by them. The problem isn't the influencer at all.

What happened to personal responsibility? If you make decisions based on what some influencer says, without doing your own research, who is to blame? That's easy. And it isn't the person trying to make a living producing cat videos.

Completely agree. And therein lies the problem. I encounter and have employees from a wide range of educational and socioeconomic levels. It's downright frightening how many people believe, repeat, repost whatever they see online and it's geting worse due to fake AI, which some influencers use.

 

[Zoidz]

You seem to think everyone is a sellout, but there are people out there who just do it because they love it and its a disservice to just assume first without watching their content.

As I stated in a previous post, I suspect/know there are good influencers out there. I don't want to waste the time and energy watching 10 YouTube videos to find 3 good ones.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

+2

I’m very interested in the charging curve and range numbers. Then competition is not slowing down on the battery/charging front, so it’ll be disappointing if Rivian just stagnates like Tesla has with the Model 3 and Model Y on charging.

Super fast charging hasn’t been Rivian’s strong suit. The R2 is a 400V architecture, so we’ll see.

As for range, I think they said the base model (RWD, $45K) would be around 270 miles. I think the launch model will be around 300. Maybe 325 miles. I’m hoping the Max Pack is closer to 400 miles. Not sure if that large of a battery can fit in there. These are new cells though, 4695s.

 

[emoore]

Super fast charging hasn’t been Rivian’s strong suit. The R2 is a 400V architecture, so we’ll see. I think they said the base model (RWD, $45K) would be around 270. I think the launch model will be around 300. Maybe 325. I’m hoping the Max Pack is closer to 400. Not sure if that large of a battery can fit in there. These are new cells though, 4695s.

Where did you see those charging rates? I highly doubt it would be anywhere near 300kW let along 400kW charging for a 400V system.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Where did you see those charging rates? I highly doubt it would be anywhere near 300kW let along 400kW charging for a 400V system.

Ah, sorry. I was talking about range at that point. Forgot to mention that. I fixed it.

 

[mkhuffman]

Where did you see those charging rates? I highly doubt it would be anywhere near 300kW let along 400kW charging for a 400V system.

I think he is talking about range - miles not kW.

 

[emoore]

Yeah I agree with range estimates presented.

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