? New Rivian email: production sequence adjustments to maximize production output in spite of supply challenge

[MountainBikeDude]

lol. sounds like it... I'll call my guide tomorrow and see whats up.

If it's not in the email, I wouldn't expect a clear explanation unfortunately for a couple weeks. CS is usually one of the last to know the things that affect them most.

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[Curney1]

I suspect (just speculation) they have a BUNCH of R1T / R1S OC people in the queue with Guide contact and PBA's signed (I'm one of them). They need to first figure out what those people are going to do, before they can try to schedule others who are just a tad later.

For those who suggested the FE wood trim with OC interior - I'm ALL FOR THAT! Unfortunately, I have to believe they considered and rejected that option internally as too challenging.

Uggggg - not sure what I'm going to do. Wonder if I can switch to FE interior AND change my exterior color without loosing spot in line.

I have a signed PBA R1S OC. maybe I'll change to Forest Edge. I feel like I need to get this thing before Im too old to drive.

 

[mgc0216]

Email in to my guide to change to Black Mountain. They better let me change and not lose my spot.

Or what? You're going to walk? And the next order with your config gets filled in about 30 seconds.

We have ZERO leverage here if we actually want a truck, all we get to do is complain and wait.

 

[EarlyAdptr]

And from my Guide's email, doesn't sound like any "discounting" on FE package. I was told I have 2 options, 1) keep OC and wait; 2) "switch to BM or FE (+$2,000) to get expedited delivery."

 

[John G.]

Sidenote: why are Rivian’s communications so dang imprecise?

It is easier than lying.

 

[Jac]

I read this as acknowledgment by Rivian that, as a public company, maximizing near term production results is their single most important objective right now. Even with the supply chain issues with semiconductors and wire harnesses discussed on the quarterly earnings call in March, Rivian must believe they can assemble more R1Ts and R1Ss right now if they produce them in batches of similarly configured trucks rather than in reservation date order.

So, I guess they are saying their overall production this year will be limited by availability of those semiconductors and wire harnesses, but they can still build and deliver vehicles they have components for more quickly if they build them in batches of common configurations.

 

[TXR1S]

As an OC Explore configuration…. Clearly they should start producing OC Explore models while short of the wood.

Adventure was originally not priority over Explore, and Explore was supposed to start delivering January 2022 just like Adventure….

 

[Curney1]

And from my Guide's email, doesn't sound like any "discounting" on FE package. I was told I have 2 options, 1) keep OC and wait; 2) "switch to BM or FE (+$2,000) to get expedited delivery."

Woah, is the FE more expensive than OC?

 

[goldburger]

i wonder if they saw the thread about the person who got there truck after a may 2021 order.

 

[kneebuster]

Sent my guide a text message a half hour ago figuring he'd see it in the morning. To my surprise he responded in minutes and we've had a running conversation. He'd given me a heads up last Monday that there were murmurs that they were prioritizing BM and FE over OC. He again asked me at that time if I"d switch to BM, which I won't, or FE, which I did. Still no PBA, nor info on when I can get my truck, even though my window is Mar/Apr. I even said I'd take just about any exterior color except Midnight, LImestone, or Rivian Blue. I guess I need to be patient.

 

[mgc0216]

What I don't understand and doesn't pass a logic test is why are they building and shipping adventure trims?

The only way this makes sense (as at least one other person alluded to) is if they are at the tail end of LE production and need to fill out the batch w/ some adventure rigs. I'm 99% sure that's not the case as there are a lot of LE folks still waiting on contact.

If they were really optimizing they'd ship every launch green truck they have an order for, then they'd never have to go back to that color again. Then they'd go through and batch the other colors - but those batches should all be LE until they get to a point where they can't fill a batch with LE orders.

This idea that somehow they are optimizing to ship more trucks by tossing in adventure trims doesn't pass the giggle test.

What am I missing?

 

[emoore]

Woah, is the FE more expensive than OC?

Yeah. Always has been.

 

[snomad]

Email in to my guide to change to Black Mountain. They better let me change and not lose my spot.

If Rivian really gave me a guide contact and locked in my configuration to OC interior *just last week* just so they could delay people who picked OC to the fall . . . .

I was told I was 4-6 weeks to delivery last week, and the fact that I was picked for a guide contact was a “good sign” that OC was now going into production. This better not be some rug pull where they lock everyone who had an OC delivery locked-in to the fall (which in Rivian speak really means early 2023)

Sure feels that way. Had a call with my guide earlier today (confirmed Ocean Coast interior on my Launch Edition R1T), told me my vehicle would be delivered end of May. Fast forward 5 hours later.... I read the email, check in with my guide and they confirmed that if I stick with my order I won't receive it until Fall.

 

[jagged]

What I don't understand and doesn't pass a logic test is why are they building and shipping adventure trims?

The only way this makes sense (as at least one other person alluded to) is if they are at the tail end of LE production and need to fill out the batch w/ some adventure rigs. I'm 99% sure that's not the case as there are a lot of LE folks still waiting on contact.

If they were really optimizing they'd ship every launch green truck they have an order for, then they'd never have to go back to that color again. Then they'd go through and batch the other colors - but those batches should all be LE until they get to a point where they can't fill a batch with LE orders.

This idea that somehow they are optimizing to ship more trucks by tossing in adventure trims doesn't pass the giggle test.

What am I missing?

It's not just configuration, but delivery location. I'm sure there's a lot of other logistics at play, as well.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I'm torn, because OC is my favorite interior based on pictures and I think pairs best with FG and my anticipated delivery is Oct-Dec anyways, but I'd be lying if I said that the allure of possibly moving my delivery timeline up didn't make me consider another interior option in and of itself. Hopefully I can see some of the options in person to help make my decision.

I also wonder what other options will affect delivery. Wheels are obviously one, what about tonneau covers?

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