How far ahead will R1Ts with Black Mountain get? An experiment

[astonius]

I have two R1s on order: an LE R1T and a post price-hike adventure R1S. Both had OC interior configured. I’ve been adamant I do not want BM or FE, but there’s one caveat to that — getting both vehicles within the next 10-12 months.

The LE R1T was slated for Apr/May, but with the OC delay all bets are off. The R1S order is so late in the game I wasn’t expecting it until late 23/early 24. However, I figured since R1S hasn’t ramped and OC is delayed until Fall this might be an opportunity to try a little experiment.

I switched the R1S to an adventure R1T with quad motor, large pack, Rivian Blue, Black Mountain, 20” dark wheels, and the power tonneau cover. This should be a fairly mass-produced configuration over the short term (except maybe the wheels, but I’m flexible there). Coupled with the fact Rivian would make a premium on the truck at the newer, higher prices there’s a chance I could get it much, much sooner. If so, I’ll then switch my LE R1T to an LE R1S and configure it how I want, hopefully with delivery by end of this year/early next year.

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[guernsej]

Can you switch between T and S for launch editions?

 

[R1Sky Business]

Can you switch between T and S for launch editions?

If that's allowed...then you are winning.

 

[astonius]

Can you switch between T and S for launch editions?

You can!

 

[Guy]

You can!

And this in part why they can’t plan well if people keep switching such basic things as t vs s never mind trim level, color or wheels.

 

[astonius]

And this in part why they can’t plan well if people keep switching such basic things as t vs s never mind trim level, color or wheels.

Certainly, though I think they've struck a solid balance by allowing the changes with the disclaimer it may affect your delivery window. I much prefer that to no changes allowed.

 

[Guy]

Certainly, though I think they've struck a solid balance by allowing the changes with the disclaimer it may affect your delivery window. I much prefer that to no changes allowed.

I agree as customers allowing maximum flexibility is great. BMW for example wouldn’t let people switch from an X5 to a 5 series. Tesla in addition to a non refundable fee fix you not just in model and spec but also color and wheels. That is too much but unlimited flexibility does have a downside for Rivian and production planning. So I would, unfortunately, not be surprised by changes in this area in the future.

 

[astonius]

I agree as customers allowing maximum flexibility is great. BMW for example wouldn’t let people switch from an X5 to a 5 series. Tesla in addition to a non refundable fee fix you not just in model and spec but also color and wheels. That is too much but unlimited flexibility does have a downside for Rivian and production planning. So I would, unfortunately, not be surprised by changes in this area in the future.

Absolutely, so long as they give fair warning when it does change to lock in.

On the Tesla side, I actually have some first-hand experience with this as I have a refresh Model X on order. I took it over from a friend who had a configuration I would have been happy with but wasn't my preferred colors and seat configuration. I asked the SA when I first took it over if I could change anything. He said yes, but I would have to accept the now $25k higher base price. Then suddenly about 2 months ago there were rumors circling that you could in fact change your config and maintain pricing if you emailed [email protected]. I sent them an email, and sure enough two days later my configuration was changed and retained the original pricing structure. Not sure what caused them to change their tune. I also don't understand why the process is so obscure. SAs are still telling customers they can't make changes and retain the old pricing, but somehow this magical email address, and the mystery man "Jorge" behind it all, can make it happen.

 

[mini2nut]

I agree as customers allowing maximum flexibility is great. BMW for example wouldn’t let people switch from an X5 to a 5 series. Tesla in addition to a non refundable fee fix you not just in model and spec but also color and wheels. That is too much but unlimited flexibility does have a downside for Rivian and production planning. So I would, unfortunately, not be surprised by changes in this area in the future.

I couldn’t agree more. Rivian needs to lock in configurations. Way too many reservation holders are constantly changing between models, options, exterior and interior colors, etc. Tesla does not allow this and you lose your deposit if you cancel.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I couldn’t agree more. Rivian needs to lock in configurations. Way too many reservation holders are constantly changing between models, options, exterior and interior colors, etc. Tesla does not allow this and you lose your deposit if you cancel.

I am coming around to the idea that configs need to lock. When deliveries were a long way out, and options wern't really finalized, anyway, then I understood why the flexibility was warranted.

Now, I think Rivian should let people "lock" their config and get grouped into actual production slots/buckets. If you change your config, then that changes your slot to the next available one, after your current slot... So you can change configs -- but it will be a delay. No more changing to get it sooner, which screws up everyone else's production.

 

[astonius]

I am coming around to the idea that configs need to lock. When deliveries were a long way out, and options wern't really finalized, anyway, then I understood why the flexibility was warranted.

Now, I think Rivian should let people "lock" their config and get grouped into actual production slots/buckets. If you change your config, then that changes your slot to the next available one, after your current slot... So you can change configs -- but it will be a delay. No more changing to get it sooner, which screws up everyone else's production.

I don't think anyone's changes leap-frog them over another who already had a similar config. I agree that would be unfair. The only point of my experiment is that they are clearly resource limited to certain configs, and depending on how long those limits remain and how much runway they have for those produceable configurations it may be more advantageous to be at the end of that "building now" line than being at the front of a line that is not moving at all.

 

[tiltedandsaltyaf]

really fast apparently, I changed from OC to BM a few weeks ago and got assigned a guide last week.

My original R1S projected timeline was 2023, I changed to a R1T in March 2022 and recently to a BM instead of OC interior.

 

[SunDevil2213]

I couldn’t agree more. Rivian needs to lock in configurations. Way too many reservation holders are constantly changing between models, options, exterior and interior colors, etc. Tesla does not allow this and you lose your deposit if you cancel.

You probably already know this, but it should be noted that once you have your Guide call, they lock your configuration in and you then have to go through them if you want to make any changes to your config going forward.

This is what I get now:

 

[EVTrucking]

Locking configuration makes no sense. Rivian has almost always said that delivery window is defined by configuration/location/pre order date. Configuration is by definition flexible. Location and pre order date are not.

What changed are limited parts availability restricting the number of R1s that can be built. Thus creating fierce completion for the coveted 13-14k deliveries in 2022.

A person with a pre order date in 2019 should certainly have the choice to change config and expect an earlier delivery than a person with the same config/location but a pre order date in 2020.

All this noise and grousing about communication and locking configs would not exist if there were no parts shortages.

No parts = No R1s

 

[astonius]

I just got off the phone with my guide. I thought this might be a possibility, but I never expected it to happen this quickly. He said my adventure reservation has been selected for fulfillment!

That's just over 2 months from the date of order.

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