Chicago Block Party a Total Cluster, But R2 Was Beautiful

[Dark-Fx]

I almost made the trek to Chicago for this event. Sorta glad I didn't. I should be able to see an R2 in person fairly soon though.

Sponsored

 

[Morevs]

What’s wrong with kids lol. They are the main reason such SUV’s exist. Now if they weren’t behaving that is an adult issue .

they just added to the cluster. I guess it is good that they are excited to see them as well, future buyers, maybe? But for me, it just made the lines longer and let's face it, parents suck nowadays. lol

 

[tivoboy]

There were ppl in the Chicago downtown event line who had appts, FLEW into town just for this because they wanted to see the car before buying and were told it was 2 hours to get in, then to stand in another line inside.. they left Saying “I’m not buying the car”. Now much of that was probably in the moment hyperbole, but still for a couple ppl it left a bad taste.

My SO had flown in for another purpose, had appt, was told it was 2 hours to get inside, MAYBE, and just quietly walked away.. I’m certain there were many who did the same. So it’s hard to tell just how much breakage there was in potential attendees, but it’s probably somewhat high.

 

[Great Gatsby]

There were ppl in the Chicago downtown event line who had appts, FLEW into town just for this because they wanted to see the car before buying and were told it was 2 hours to get in, then to stand in another line inside.. they left Saying “I’m not buying the car”. Now much of that was probably in the moment hyperbole, but still for a couple ppl it left a bad taste.

My SO had flown in for another purpose, had appt, was told it was 2 hours to get inside, MAYBE, and just quietly walked away.. I’m certain there were many who did the same. So it’s hard to tell just how much breakage there was in potential attendees, but it’s probably somewhat high.

If they really wanted the car, that should not have been a make it or break it moment. It will be in showrooms and test drives should be available in a month or two. You want first look? So does several thousands of other people. People wait at lines in Disney World for rides that last less.

TBD though even if some people soured, I don't think Rivian will have any issues selling the R2. I'd think they prefer insane turn out then it be dead. I still see this as a good sign. If I were them, I'd be planning more events until they can get the R2 to more people.

 

[DuoRivian]

If they really wanted the car, that should not have been a make it or break it moment. It will be in showrooms and test drives should be available in a month or two. You want first look? So does several thousands of other people. People wait at lines in Disney World for rides that last less.

TBD though even if some people soured, I don't think Rivian will have any issues selling the R2. I'd think they prefer insane turn out then it be dead. I still see this as a good sign. If I were them, I'd be planning more events until they can get the R2 to more people.

Rivian should have had more than one vehicle present. Cruz they didn’t and so easy to have prevented this bad press. While they can sell all of this years and likely next years production it will get harder from there.

They are in a pincer movement between iX3 and EX60 on the top end and the more mainstream vehicles (Subaru Trailseeker) at the bottom end.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Rivian should have had more than one vehicle present. Cruz they didn’t and so easy to have prevented this bad press. While they can sell all of this years and likely next years production it will get harder from there.

They are in a pincer movement between iX3 and EX60 on the top end and the more mainstream vehicles (Subaru Trailseeker) at the bottom end.

I'd imagine they probably would have had more vehicles to show if they could. I don't think this was intentional and more limitations based on what they have available.

And I agree with you. The iX3 and EX60 are better on paper, but the R2 just tugs at the heartstrings a bit more. My opinion, obviously, but the Rivian cult is about to get very real.

 

[tivoboy]

To be SOMEWHAT fair and understanding, this was the first event in a city where they actively had TWO locations doing Block Party events.. So they probably had to split the show cars across the two venues, and decided portly correctly to put 2 at the out of town event location, vs. the in town one..

Although, in hindsight, since the in town location was the ONE location where the majority of ppl had signed up initially and most likely had no idea there was another out of town location, they should have put the two in town.

There were ppl in line who had driven INTO town for the event, and might have more easily gone to the OUT of town event - had they known - which they might not have.

 

[Luxus]

Yea, I didn't learn about Old Orchard having R2s until the day of the event. So not the best job communicating there. I just chalk it up to them still being new to these things and still learning.

 

[Great Gatsby]

They have their East Coast HQ, showroom in the city and in the burbs here in Atlanta - all in very popular spots. Should be interesting to see how this is handled for the block party here. I do fully expect crazy wait times though.

 

[bholliday5150]

We drove up from southern Illinois. Rush Street store was busy. we waited in line for an hour..said the hell with it…and just checked it out by playing around with exterior of car and looking in It (huge back seat). A rep and I chatted about R2…he was nice enough to inbetween groups to let wife sit in it briefly to get a feel for it. It’s gonna be her car…I’m keeping my R1T. She likes it. I would agree needed another R2 to display…but it’s a small place. It’s a great vehicle…and the interest is such a positive sign to me. Day one reservation and being close to factory and service centers should hopefully move us up in line.

 

[Nadus]

I'd imagine they probably would have had more vehicles to show if they could. I don't think this was intentional and more limitations based on what they have available.

Yeah, I didn't think the Chicago events were a total disaster, but I hope Rivian learns a lesson that if they've only got three R2s to show they need to put them in a single location that can hold hundreds of people at a time. It was totally unnecessary and counterproductive to split the R2s between two locations, and especially egregious to only have one R2 at the main Chicago location.

On a side note regarding children at the events. I was standing in line with a guy with three young daughters, and he lamented that his young daughters would probably never learn how to pump gas. I said that's okay, I never learned how to hitch up a horse and buggy. Some things we can just move on from.

 

[Count Orlok]

I almost made the trek to Chicago for this event. Sorta glad I didn't. I should be able to see an R2 in person fairly soon though.

same

 

[Great Gatsby]

Yeah, I didn't think the Chicago events were a total disaster, but I hope Rivian learns a lesson that if they've only got three R2s to show they need to put them in a single location that can hold hundreds of people at a time. It was totally unnecessary and counterproductive to split the R2s between two locations, and especially egregious to only have one R2 at the main Chicago location.

On a side note regarding children at the events. I was standing in line with a guy with three young daughters, and he lamented that his young daughters would probably never learn how to pump gas. I said that's okay, I never learned how to hitch up a horse and buggy. Some things we can just move on from.

That is wild thing to lament. Out of the things to miss about ICE, pumping gas is in 0% of anyone's list. People in my office were all complaining about gas prices and pumping gas at sketchy gas station. Nobody was thinking about it nostalgically. Because no one enjoys it.

 

[Nadus]

Oh dang, looks like I'm taking another trip to Chicago soon.

 

[tivoboy]

It does appear that the ONE vehicle in the showroom on Saturday is still there, was that a SLATE vehicle?

Sponsored