Rivian service centers at Amazon distribution centers?

[Joints4Sale]

Here's a thought on how to quickly grow the footprint of service centers. Since Amazon is purchasing vans from Rivian, why not set up an agreement to put service center where a large customer already has lots of vehicles? Anyone at Rivian listening?

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[flabyboy]

That’s a smart idea?

 

[Blueassassin]

located next to large city's but out in an area where the land is cheaper. Ya thats smart

 

[Gator42]

While Rivian doesn’t seem to be following a Tesla style car dealership model for its service centers the Amazon distribution centers are huge warehouses where the floor is raised to trailer height and there’s semis and vans coming and going at all hours. If you’ve ever tried to navigate one of these places in a car you know it feels like a game of Frogger or that kitchen scene from Rattatouille. I’m still a little puzzled how many customers will ever visit a service center at all but even if customers never visit one, a warehouse location seems ill suited to the repair task…

…and most of Rivian’s announced locations are in lower cost commercial/industrial zones. Even if Amazon warehouses were practical there’s likely little cost savings to be had…

 

[crashmtb]

I don’t want to take my $100k luxury truck to a busy warehouse not set up for additional automobile service centre traffic.

and most Amazon fulfillment centres are not well located for this use.

Besides, I hope my R1 never requires service that can’t be done at my house.
except an alignment or something.

 

[Zoidz]

While the idea has merit, I think everyone involved in Amazon logistics, from designers and planners to jockey drivers and security guards would HATE it. ALso, as a customer, I would hate it too. My engineering work in manufacturing automation takes me to many campuses similar to Amazon warehouse locations. Driving in & around those areas just plain sucks. Some of these campuses see hundreds of trucks in and out per hour.

 

[Speedrye]

I have to support this idea, only because the closest fulfillment center in less than a mile from my office...

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Building service centers in industrial areas -- or especially business parks -- seems like a good idea, to me. However, I don't think Amazon fulfillment centers make sense. They already use all the space they can get their hands on, and neither Rivian owners nor Amazon employees will want to deal with each other for parking and entry/egress.

Until semi-recently, Amazon tended to keep their name off their distribution center buildings because they wanted to fly under the radar and NOT attract people to their locations.

 

[crashmtb]

Building service centers in industrial areas -- or especially business parks -- seems like a good idea, to me.

this is, of course, mostly what‘s already being done

 

[Sgt Beavis]

HI, Noob here.. decided to leave lurking to comment.

It's perhaps not a good idea to utilize an actual Amazon distribution center BUT those centers usually have a lot of extra land around them for expansion. It would make a lot of sense to put a service center on the same plot of land and use it to service Amazon's new vans and Rivian trucks.

My understanding is that Amazon is testing vans in my area. It'd be interesting to see what happens there. I still haven't seen one personally but I'm keeping my eyes open.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

this is, of course, mostly what‘s already being done

Shocker, right? Rivian has a reasonable plan is executing it.

 

[trmckin1]

Here's a thought on how to quickly grow the footprint of service centers. Since Amazon is purchasing vans from Rivian, why not set up an agreement to put service center where a large customer already has lots of vehicles? Anyone at Rivian listening?

That or... maybe more was hoped for with the Ford /Lincoln investment. It'd be in Ford's interest to extend that courtesy since they have the necessary lifts, tools, tech, etc... Being a low volume vehicle, seems it would make sense to me as it wouldn't have that much of an impact to their existing service centers. With the MachE, they should be getting used to EV's.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

That or... maybe more was hoped for with the Ford /Lincoln investment. It'd be in Ford's interest to extend that courtesy since they have the necessary lifts, tools, tech, etc... Being a low volume vehicle, seems it would make sense to me as it wouldn't have that much of an impact to their existing service centers. With the MachE, they should be getting used to EV's.

Ford is still looking to utilize the skateboard platform on a future Lincoln so it's not inconceivable that this would happen. The challenge is that the dealers would have to be on board with it. Ford doesn't own any of their dealers or service centers. Many dealers may be on board with that since their service dept is usually the largest profit center. It would also matter how much Rivian is willing to pay for warranty work.

 

[Rhidan]

The plans for the Denver Rivian service center actually show that substantial space is being dedicated for service and repair of Amazon vans.

It looks like the service centers Rivian is building will be used to service the R1T, R1S, and the Amazon van, rather than Amazon building its own service stations for Rivian vehicles.

 

[trmckin1]

Ford is still looking to utilize the skateboard platform on a future Lincoln so it's not inconceivable that this would happen. The challenge is that the dealers would have to be on board with it. Ford doesn't own any of their dealers or service centers. Many dealers may be on board with that since their service dept is usually the largest profit center. It would also matter how much Rivian is willing to pay for warranty work.

Agreed on the dealer buy in. I would think it's a no brainer. Especially tire replacements as this is going to chew through AT tires at F250 rates. Seems like a goldmine for Ford.

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