Official Rivian Email: A Look Ahead to 2023. Rivian Membership cancelled and unbundled into subscription services

[R1Sky Business]

I'm surprised they didn't just wait 11 more days - until January 16th - to send this out so they could include details.

This is the Rivian way

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[R1Tom]

More adventurous this way

Very true! It will be s00n! And certainly adventurous!

 

[Lobo]

I believe Rivian will tread lightly with much of this. There has to be a balance of profitability and continued growth. You can't charge 100k for a vehicle and expect to nickel and dime people to death for everything in the car, everyone will bail on the company. So far MFG'S are looking to test the boundaries of this business model. Mercedes is looking to offer a subscription for more power on some vehicles, Dodge is looking to sell power upgrade modules in their new Speed Shops they want to install in dealerships.

None of us want reoccurring fees to keep what we once had, and for many this is the most expensive vehicle you have ever purchased. The payments on 80k suck, the insurance siphons off more money like a leech, and charging prices are all over the map when you travel all over the map. There is a fine line between real value and just ripping people off, however the line is different for everyone. My perceived value may be a total waste for some, and visa versa. I myself am taking the wait and see approach, OK Tony forced this on us, but still. Rivian is not about to shoot themselves in the foot and risk a collapse over the Nickel & Dime approach, but just like they did with the price snafu of Mar 22, they will push our buttons a bit and see how far we are willing to go. I want to see Rivian succeed, but as good as this vehicle is, there is a point in my mind where the value is over and the door has opened for a new MFG to grab my attention, and wallet.

It is a balancing act for them to get the pre march res holders to bail out without alienating new customers.

 

[R1Sky Business]

I was thinking this exact thing. seems like Tony gets out there with some vague outlines of a plan and then they wait to see what the backlash feedback is.

Genius....so let's keep complaining and RJ will send a letter the following day apologizing

 

[R1Sky Business]

This has not been my experience. How does it reward bad behavior? They charge if you are there more than 1/2 hour and you get the same grace period as any other EV. When we charge her car, we move as soon as it’s charged. I don’t see a reward for bad behavior in this scenario. Which behavior?

Charging to 100% .....

 

[R1Sky Business]

I might subscribe to a spare tire and jack....

When Apple buys Rivian we may get Apple Play included.

Nope, small fee.....

 

[R1Sky Business]

You’re telling me there’s only bluetooth audio or using the streaming via Spotify & no actual hardwire for you phone audio? Who made that design decision.

Munro ?

 

[theyoungone]

Munro ?

??? I cannot imagine being a current owner and putting up with this. Which is why I’m fine waiting until 2024

 

[R1Sky Business]

Yes on this! This is the exact problem with today's airport lounges - they've become a free entitlement to credit card holders and you can no longer get access due to them being full all the time.

Let's stay focused on Rivian news!!!!!

 

[Ralph]

I suspect they are looking for a new profit center. If that’s an example of what it takes to survive I suppose I can live with it.

I, and I suspect others, might feel "OK" to pay a subscription for other things such as functional apps from other companies, Apple Pay, Android Auto, Browser availability, text integration, etc.

And although I already have an ATT subscription because they have great coverage in my area, I suspect in other parts of the country ATT coverage is horrible. Allow the customer to "bring their own" - where technology allows.

We will pay "something" for "something" - but we will be a lot happier and better ambassadors if Rivian goes about finding a new profit center in as smart a way as possible.

Part of me wants to think that Tony writes these emails to generate the discussion they require to actually finalize the pricing.

Otherwise they could just make the announcement of what they were going to do, like every other company. "As of XX/XX/XX the RAN program will become a subscription service as part of our a la carte offering; a departure from our initial plans. Here is what that means to our customers: xxxxxxxx."

But in reality he and various other Rivian employees are clearly too busy over at Rivian Stories to think about such things. I least that's what I hear......

At least we didn't have to hear about this via that channel. Dare I say an improvement?

 

[Marchin_MTB]

My “March-2022-pricegate-like” line in the sand here is having to pay for self contained capabilities already designed into the truck. This could be something like a new mode with existing hardware or an existing functionality like heated seats (a la BMW). The only exception I would understand is having to pay extra for something that involves extensive software development, like L3 autonomy.
Anything that incurs external costs, like electricity for charging and LTE bandwidth for vehicle connectivity, I am happy to pay for eventually. My interpretation of the email is that Rivian is opting for the latter but I guess we will see on the 16th.

 

[R1Tom]

Continuing the current functionality at no added cost, seems the least they would be able to do, until they have a functioning and reliable powered tonneau cover that over 10k people have paid for and not received to date.

 

[dleepnw]

GUYS HELP ME.

I just got a guide call - I can take my build EXCEPT IT WILL BE FOREST EDGE AND 2k more and get likely by month end, OR stay with my current build in which case the 'best intel' is my current window of April to June but I get my Ocean Coast. WHAT SAY YOU?

before i would have said wait for what you really want but with the way things are going with Rivian, id now say take a vehicle as soon as you can get it. who knows how pricing will change or what they will take away from the vehicles.

 

[Zorg]

I am guessing that like any new company Rivian had some grandiose plan early on. Those plans met reality and now they're adjusting those plans. I can see them charging a fee for hot-spot, a separate fee for general connectivity and a fee like EA to pay les for fast charging. So long as they stay away from charging for enabling features like seat heating, works for me.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I am guessing that like any new company Rivian had some grandiose plan early on. Those plans met reality and now they're adjusting those plans. I can see them charging a fee for hot-spot, a separate fee for general connectivity and a fee like EA to pay les for fast charging. So long as they stay away from charging for enabling features like seat heating, works for me.

The problem is that it’s too early IMO. Other companies can do it because they have the volume and the existing brand loyalty.

Rivian keeps chipping away at an already fragile following (thanks to history) and lacks the volume to cover those who opt out.

If they start charging for connectivity and (making this up) let’s say there’s only a 50% take rate. Well that slows their feedback loop for Driver+ development. It also lessens the product experience.

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