Recent Rivian factory tour observations on production, shifts, configurations

[Zoidz]

Passing this along from Facebook because it contains some interesting changes and observations:

"A little tidbit from my Plant tour. R1S’s are being churned out. Rivian cannot quote specific numbers but I was able to deduce the following:

1) R1S production ratio to R1T is approx 3 to 1 (demand)​

2) shifts are completing approx 80-90 customer vehicles per shift x 2 shifts = 160-180 customer vehicles per day ( as of right now)​

3) Rivian is no longer batching configs. Vehicles coming off the line are locked in customer configs. If a customer makes a change or cancels, it goes right to the R1 Shop​

4) R1S shop is light on vehicle inventory merely because the demand for R1S coupled with customer flexibility is so high. That means R1Ss will not last long. You see something you like on the shop, you better jump on it or it will be sold."​

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[moosetags]

We took the Factory Tour this past Wednesday (04/26). We saw many just off the line vehicle waiting for inspection. There were more S's than T's. We also noticed that the lots were full of completed vehicles. The guy giving us the tour told us that the bottleneck is the shipping. Rivian can't seem to get the sold vehicles on trucks and trains fast enough.

Brian

 

[SANZC02]

We took the Factory Tour this past Wednesday (04/26). We saw many just off the line vehicle waiting for inspection. There were more S's than T's. We also noticed that the lots were full of completed vehicles. The guy giving us the tour told us that the bottleneck is the shipping. Rivian can't seem to get the sold vehicles on trucks and trains fast enough.

Brian

Sad that is not really improving as that was also the bottleneck in January when I took the tour.

I saw about 50/50 between T and S. There were a lot of EDVs on the lot and many coming off the line. What did the EDV production look like?

 

[moosetags]

EDV's dominated the lots. They were everywhere. Their size kind of makes them more noticeable. Some of the EDV's were painted white. We were told that these will be Rivian mobile service vehicles.

Brian

 

[R1Tom]

I bet the bottleneck is equally in the final delivery with the limited service center staffs and facilities.

If this is case, hopefully they will spread wings a bit an start opening more up so they can gain larger footprint of deliverable locations.

 

[moosetags]

Rivian should really consider simpler Service Centers. They could really spread their wings by renting existing warehouse space, put in a lift, hire a few technicians, and have a mobile unit on site. These could be up and running in very short order. They could even do deliveries at these sites. If they would do away with all the fluff of the present Service Centers, they could really get down to business.

Brian

 

[SANZC02]

I bet the bottleneck is equally in the final delivery with the limited service center staffs and facilities.

If this is case, hopefully they will spread wings a bit an start opening more up so they can gain larger footprint of deliverable locations.

I think it is more than that, they seem to be queueing up on the lot in Normal waiting on shipments, they had a lot at the end of 2022 and first qtr 2023 they still had about 1k more built than delivered meaning the finished product on hand is growing.

Also seems to be delays at SC doing deliveries, at least in Costa Mesa and El Segundo, when I was at those service centers they seemed to have a lot of vehicles but I was not seeing many actual deliveries.

Certainly something that needs focus and adjustments, especially as the production numbers increase.

 

[SANZC02]

Rivian should really consider simpler Service Centers. They could really spread their wings by renting existing warehouse space, put in a lift, hire a few technicians, and have a mobile unit on site. These could be up and running in very short order. They could even do deliveries at these sites. If they would do away with all the fluff of the present Service Centers, they could really get down to business.

Brian

I agree and I always wondered why they were not looking at all of those idle Sears auto centers around the country. Seems like a perfect place to at least use short term to get more locations online. I’m sure there is some reason, just not apparent to me.

 

[VHRivian]

I was at the factory a week ago and the EDVs have to number in the thousands. Amazons pays when produced (not delivered) and Rivian is not responsible for delivery so I don’t think anyone cares that they are stacking up. At some point, however, they will run out of space to park them.

Also -my tour was given by Lucas and he was an awesome guy. It was well worth the time and effort to get the R1 from the factory.

 

[DuoRivians]

With truck shipping costs falling fast, I wonder if Rivian will reintroduce shipping by trucks

 

[Guy]

With truck shipping costs falling fast, I wonder if Rivian will reintroduce shipping by trucks

Interesting idea. They obviously need to do something extra to clear their backlog and be prepared for increased numbers later this year.

 

[Mygrain]

The guy giving us the tour told us that the bottleneck is the shipping. Rivian can't seem to get the sold vehicles on trucks and trains fast enough.

My rational brain says Rivian should allow -- even encourage -- more factory deliveries. Are they limiting factory deliveries to X number per day?

 

[Guy]

My rational brain says Rivian should allow -- even encourage -- more factory deliveries. Are they limiting factory deliveries to X number per day?

Completely agree. They are doing this in Georgia but they really should do a sort of Porsche Experience. Plant tour, drive on test track, as well as pick up. They would make money from increased sales at the gear store as people can see the items and be in the mood to buy. Would also save them money on shipping and relieve their SCs of having to do PDIs. But it does mean they need to get their act together with QC checks and not expect the SCs to pick things up that were missed.

 

[pc500]

My rational brain says Rivian should allow -- even encourage -- more factory deliveries. Are they limiting factory deliveries to X number per day?

Factory is just not setup to be a delivery center. They have a delivery spot... but it doesn't scale. I'm not sure demand would justify building a outbuilding to ramp this up.

 

[Mygrain]

Would also save them money on shipping and relieve their SCs of having to do PDIs. But it does mean they need to get their act together with QC checks and not expect the SCs to pick things up that were missed.

Are factory delivered vehicles routed through the Normal SC for PDI? Or do they go directly from the "factory gate" to the onsite delivery center?

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