Rivian signs first data licensing agreement with Mitchell to expedite collision repairs

[Electric Rivilution]

Mitchell Expands Support for EVs Through Industry-First Data Licensing Agreement with Rivian

SAN DIEGO, May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitchell, an Enlyte company, today announced that it is the first collision industry information provider to sign a data licensing agreement with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian. This will allow auto insurers and collision repairers using Mitchell Cloud Estimating and Mitchell Cloud Estimating TruckMax to write damage appraisals and access repair procedures for the OEM's full line-up of passenger and commercial vehicles: the R1T, R1S and Electric Delivery Van (EDV).

Rivian, which delivered its first electric vehicles in 2021, has ramped production aggressively throughout 2022 onwards. As of Q1 2023, Rivian has manufactured more than 34,000 passenger and commercial vehicles and looks to significantly increase production again through the remainder of the year. These vehicles will be delivered to the US, Canada and Europe.

"Rivian is committed to supporting our passionate, adventurous owners and customers throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Unfortunately, this may occasionally include a collision event," said Rivian's Manager, Collision Data and Industry Relations, Brandon Chittenden. "We are eager to make Rivian's data available in Mitchell's collision estimating database. This is a crucial step in helping insurance carriers and repairers restore our vehicles to pre-accident integrity and get our customers back on their adventures quickly."

This announcement comes as EVs rapidly gain market share on their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. While total new vehicle sales fell 8% in 2022, EV sales grew 65% and topped 800,000 units for the first time ever, according to Kelley Blue Book. In the US, 5.8% of new cars purchased were EVs, surpassing the 5% tipping point that many in the industry feel is the threshold for the start of mass adoption. In Canada, EV sales grew by more than a third in the first six months of 2022, although overall sales growth is lower than in other regions of the world.

"Increasing EV adoption rates have reinforced the need for accurate data on the latest vehicles along with a technology platform built for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and their unique design differences," said Debbie Day, executive vice president and general manager of Mitchell's Auto Physical Damage division. "Mitchell is meeting this need through expanded EV coverage and enhancements to our cloud-based estimating platform, which are designed to better support accurate and efficient BEV damage appraisals."

Among the patent-pending, industry-first enhancements to Mitchell Cloud Estimating are features that directly address the design and construction differences between EVs and ICE-powered automobiles. This includes the addition of a BEV-specific data structure, which dynamically updates the user interface—displaying only information relevant to BEVs once the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is decoded. With new part categories and data organization, insurers and repairers can easily locate the BEV information they need to complete the collision-damage appraisal. Additionally, Mitchell has established industry-standard definitions for EV battery capacity and motor size, which appear on the vehicle selection screen and under the vehicle description detail on the printed estimate.

The updates to Mitchell Cloud Estimating were made available to U.S. and Canadian customers in fall 2022 and the first Rivian-authored vehicle data will appear in 2023 in Mitchell TechAdvisor and Mitchell's estimating solutions.

In total, Mitchell has authored data for 168 mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, which represents 3,500 unique configurations.

For more information about Mitchell's expanded support for EVs, visit the company's website.


Photo: Mitchell employees collect 3D measurements and scans on the Rivian R1T at the company’s Technical Research Center in San Diego.

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[TollKeeper]

Let the trash, cheap, chinese, parts inventory, price gouging, being..

WIll still be cheaper, in price and quality, than Rivian... But thats ok, right?

 

[RexRemus]

What does this mean exactly?

 

[SDH]

What does this mean exactly?

Literally what I came here to say! A classic press release that says what exactly? Corporate BS.

 

[NoGoingBack]

I take this to mean that third party repair shops will have access to the crash data and other related systems and be able to repair and reset things. At this point I believe parts are still only available from Rivian and this does not allow the manufacture of 3rd party parts. Just allows third party shops to start repairing crashed or damaged vehicles.

 

[Zoidz]

What does this mean exactly?

I think this is only related to creating accurate, consistent estimates for collision repair shops. Nothing to do with 3rd party parts, etc.

I believe here is all that really matters to explain it:

"...displaying only information relevant to BEVs once the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is decoded. With new part categories and data organization, insurers and repairers can easily locate the BEV information they need to complete the collision-damage appraisal."

 

[RexRemus]

I think this is only related to creating accurate, consistent estimates for collision repair shops. Nothing to do with 3rd party parts, etc.

I believe here is all that really matters to explain it:

"...displaying only information relevant to BEVs once the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is decoded. With new part categories and data organization, insurers and repairers can easily locate the BEV information they need to complete the collision-damage appraisal."

That's a whole lotta press release to say "we've added a new WHERE clause to our DB"

 

[hekhl00]

What does this mean exactly?

When my R1T needed some body work the traditional, insurance-blessed body shops couldn’t even put an estimate together because Rivian wasn’t even in their online estimating system. I take this release to say that Mitchell now has the Rivian vehicles in their system allowing for easier repair estimates and quotes.

 

[Zoidz]

That's a whole lotta press release to say "we've added a new WHERE clause to our DB"

So True!!

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I do agree that EVs are at a tipping point. I went from “EVs are dumb dog and pony shows” to “It is clear that EVs are a superior technology.” Just from owning the Rivian. When I bought I had little to no risk I could have made a couple bucks if I didn’t like it.

It’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned so much so that we are trading in my wife’s Audi next year and the only requirement I have is it needs to be an EV. I drive her car, that I drove daily before the Rivian, and it feels like I’m Fred Flinstone with the lag and engine noise.

Environment benefit or not, EVs are simply easier to drive, more comfortable, have more control and with home charging are cheaper and more convenient.

 

[nrrasmussen]

When my R1T needed some body work the traditional, insurance-blessed body shops couldn’t even put an estimate together because Rivian wasn’t even in their online estimating system. I take this release to say that Mitchell now has the Rivian vehicles in their system allowing for easier repair estimates and quotes.

That's right, I think. When mine went in they had to use "Toyota" parts to quote the repair since there was no central database with Rivian parts.

 

[Fade5G]

As someone who just had their Rivian R1T rear ended and cannot find a body shop to even give them an estimate, the fact that Rivian is thinking about and trying to address repairs is a good thing.

 

[ORFynder]

As someone who just had their Rivian R1T rear ended and cannot find a body shop to even give them an estimate, the fact that Rivian is thinking about and trying to address repairs is a good thing.

Try this website to find a body shop. https://rivian.com/support/article/certified-collision-centers

 

[crashmtb]

Literally what I came here to say! A classic press release that says what exactly? Corporate BS.

Huh?

it means shops that subscirbe to Mitchell for repair info will soon have access to Rivian documentation.

it’s a big deal because it will mean more options for bodywork.

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