Under-seat front cubby gone from new builds

[greyboundary]

No sir, I'm (and others) are directly quoting Rivian (or RJ) on loss per vehicle, not just saying lost. Read their earnings statement.

Of course it's based on R&D spend before delivering vehicles, but in the end it's all about profit/loss per vehicle just like any other manufacturer.

Yeah, I’m aware of the language in earnings reports. They say “loss per vehicle” as a way to normalize expenditure against some unit so you can think about it in meaningful, relative terms.

It’s that people take that out of context as meaning that you can’t build one R1T/S at the cost it sells for, and it was brought up here as reason for an endless cost cutting exercise.

It’s desirable to reduce costs when it makes sense to in any industry, but it won’t literally be because of that metric being negative. They could hit the ceiling of ideal/target cost reductions and it will still be at a per vehicle “loss” since they’re in a strong growth phase. They could also simply cut growth, not cut costs at all, and maybe even generate a terminally ill profit.

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[SRO]

Saw that RivianTracker posted about the passenger cubby getting removed from new builds for cost saving measures… no glovebox and cubby removed too… how much are they really saving here?

my 2025 gen2 has both front seat cubbies.

Amen. I have arthritis I can’t even see out the glass roof. I think the grand kids may like it.

Saw that RivianTracker posted about the passenger cubby getting removed from new builds for cost saving measures… no glovebox and cubby removed too… how much are they really saving here?

Not only does my gen 2 have the two cubbies, but thanks to this thread I have some great ideas how to use them.

 

[R1Tom]

When I think about the "should I get a new G2 QM or should I keep my G1 QM"...i personally would have been just fine with an increase of MSRP of $50 to keep the drawer.

Is the market that sensitive that rather than simply raise the MSRP to cover that drawer it results in greater sales to keep that MSRP down $50 and redesign the seat and all that goes along with that?

Maybe I am off on this? Would all arguing for elimination that sensitive to a MSRP increase of $50 or so?

 

[greyboundary]

When I think about the "should I get a new G2 QM or should I keep my G1 QM"...i personally would have been just fine with an increase of MSRP of $50 to keep the drawer.

Is the market that sensitive that rather than simply raise the MSRP to cover that drawer it results in greater sales to keep that MSRP down $50 and redesign the seat and all that goes along with that?

Maybe I am off on this? Would all arguing for elimination that sensitive to a MSRP increase of $50 or so?

Do we actually know why they cut it? I think we’re assuming it’s a cost measure and they’re “being cheap.”

I’ve noticed this forum has an unusually high degree of assuming the worst intent from this company and it spirals into “they’re going out of business!” chants.

To be honest I haven’t read this 8 page thread on the cubby, but maybe it was found to be not interesting from focus groups and it interferes with servicing or design in some dumb way we’re not imagining. I have one and forget that it’s even there.

 

[R1Tom]

Do we actually know why they cut it? I think we’re assuming it’s a cost measure and they’re “being cheap.”

I’ve noticed this forum has an unusually high degree of assuming the worst intent from this company and it spirals into “they’re going out of business!” chants.

To be honest I haven’t read this 8 page thread on the cubby, but maybe it was found to be not interesting from focus groups and it interferes with servicing or design in some dumb way we’re not imagining. I have one and forget that it’s even there.

We don't actually know. Rivian hasn't communicated that I believe but it was a feature the vehicle had and now it doesn't.

I have not said the company is going out of business over this so that must be someone else you are referring to.

And last paragraph...I have stuff in mine and I find it useful. Others may not like you.

I was just posing the question if it was cost cutting then wondering how many people really would see a MSRP add of $50 and see it then too high and go somewhere else?

 

[greyboundary]

We don't actually know. Rivian hasn't communicated that I believe but it was a feature the vehicle had and now it doesn't.

I have not said the company is going out of business over this so that must be someone else you are referring to.

And last paragraph...I have stuff in mine and I find it useful. Others may not like you.

I was just posing the question if it was cost cutting then wondering how many people really would see a MSRP add of $50 and see it then too high and go somewhere else?

Nope, definitely not directed at you. Some of the initial reactions in this and other threads just felt over the top.

I definitely understand it would be annoying if they took away a feature you that found useful. I just think that if cost reductions alone were the goal, there’s so many other things that seem better targeted. If the front underside of the seats were magically swappable, I’d sell my cubby equipped one to someone who wants it

 

[Captblue]

I blame Sandy Munro! ?

 

[Sundar]

That’s too bad. They make for an almost perfect place to stash my “cans” of On! Pouches.

 

[iforbes]

This thread has kind of fallen into the “I didn’t buy this car because there was no key fob included” thread. If you are that on the fence, walk away.

 

[waitingonanr1s]

This thread has kind of fallen into the “I didn’t buy this car because there was no key fob included” thread. If you are that on the fence, walk away.

That’s a ridiculous cut too. $100k+ and no key fob is a poor decision.

 

[iforbes]

That’s a ridiculous cut too. $100k+ and no key fob is a poor decision.

Meh. My key fob sits on a hook in the kitchen. Why provide something for free that only a small percentage use.

Not gonna rehash the argument. Want one, but down a couple extra bucks. Or pass completely, in which case you didn’t want the car that much anyway.

 

[BrianB]

Does it pull power from your L2 charger or the battery? In gen1 in addition to being able to specify a desired temp at a desired time it's possible to get the power to do so pulled from the charger.

I don’t know where the power is drawn from. I assumed if I’m plugged in and below my specified charge level, the charger will run. I don’t see a schedule feature, but I can set the temp remotely, individual adjust heat level in each of 6 seats, and heat the steering wheel. Seems feature rich to me.

 

[Hopper]

It's one thing to cut costs - but these are just annoying cuts. Where do they expect people to store documents - these cubbies were already undersized to begin with. I'd never find my registration again if I stored it in the center console black hole.

It's in the same category as the early elimination of the 12v power under the dash.

Not having the under dash power for my phone is going to bother me more than the loss of the passenger under-seat drawer. I feel like I’m getting nickeled and dimed moving from my Gen 1 to Gen 2.

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