A History of Rivian (via its webpage) - Part 1

[RivianRiverRat]

Thanks tps5352

this got me looking back at some of the original posts on the forum by the early original members
there is some great pre-production info/history that one wouldn't necessarily come across unless you really peel back the layers - just like the 180 tailgate in the youtube video
I found this calculator on a very early post - How Clean is Your Electric Vehicle? | Union of Concerned Scientists
also saw the "lunar interior" from the New York Auto Show

thanks again history lesson

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[tps5352]

...this got me looking back at some of the original posts on the forum by the early original members
there is some great pre-production info/history that one wouldn't necessarily come across unless you really peel back the layers...

You know, you make an excellent point.

While this is intended to be a history of the Rivian Company, it is fair to bring in the Rivian Forums site (our excellent host and provider--yes, I definitely know "which side the bread is buttered on"), even if it was a "Johnny-Come-Lately" effort, almost ten years after the nascent (to-be-named) Rivian company was started.*

While Part 2 of this history effort (Will Part 1 prove popular, and hence lead to a renewal and a Part 2?) will probably bring in some early Rivian Forums activity (e.g., the pre-order data gathered by the @Administrator--see here and here), it may be appropriate to search the early threads/posts and specifically reference them in Part 1, if appropriate. (My 2024 taxes are done, so I have time again. )
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* Just kidding, everyone! It makes total sense that a potential-customer/fan-related Internet activity would only first begin once Rivian revealed, clarified, and started promoting its new R1 models, and especially after it started accepting pre-orders--i.e., in late 2018.

To my knowledge, the first posted thread on the Rivian Forums site was created November 26, 2018 (by the founder and our @Administrator). That was quickly followed by member posts (e.g., on November, 27 2019). That is darn early, imo. (In comparison, another Rivian-related forum site may not have had its first member-post until around February 16, 2019--still pretty early.)​

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Rivian started its "blog" "Stories" on its website in late 2018, I believe. But I am unclear if and when individual customers could contribute, and if that is still going on? (Something to check into.)​

 

[iansriv]

You know, you make an excellent point.

While this is intended to be a history of the Rivian Company, it is fair to bring in the Rivian Forums site, even if it was a "Johnny-Come-Lately" effort*, almost ten years after the nascent (to-be-named) Rivian company was started.

While Part 2 of this history effort will probably bring in some early Rivian Forums activity (e.g., the pre-order data gathered by the @Administrator), it may be appropriate to search the early threads/posts and specifically reference them in Part 1, if appropriate. (2024 taxes are done, so I have time. )
_____
* Just kidding. It makes total sense that a potential-customer-related Internet activity would only first begin once Rivian identified, clarified, and started promoting its new R1 models and accepting pre-orders--i.e., in late 2018. To my knowledge, the first post-thread on the Rivian Forums site was created November 26, 2018 (by the founder and our @Administrator). That was quickly followed by member posts (e.g., on November, 27 2019). That is darn early, imo. (In comparison, another Rivian-related forum site may have not have had its first member-post until around February 16, 2019--still pretty early.)

One of my favourite car books was a 150 year history of Alfa Romeo. I got it after I got my Alfa and a lot after I was a child growing up around my uncle Steve's Alfa dealership. It was absolutely wonderful. You have something here that could become epic. I sincerely mean that. All the best!

 

[Eeyore]

I'd buy that R1 car in a NY minute.

 

[tps5352]

I'd buy that R1 car in a NY minute.

Didn't I see a speculation somewhere (on the Forum?) that a Rivian sports car could return someday? (Maybe if R2 and R3 are successful?)

If so, I just hope that it is a BEV (and no longer a hybrid).

 

[KimBrennan]

While the 180 tailgate would have been nice....the 180kW battery would have been nicer.

 

[NY_Rob]

I'd buy that R1 car in a NY minute.

You're not kidding, that coupe was beautiful!!

Sign me up for one of those, please ? ?

 

[Conseil]

Awesome!
You might want to include in Part 2 the 2020 AppleTV series entitled "The Long Way Up" starring Ewan McGregor. In it, an R1T prototype is heavily featured in this fun documentary where McGregor and a friend journey from Patagonia to LA on electric Harleys. Who new?

https://www.longwayup.com/

 

[tps5352]

Awesome!
...2020 AppleTV series entitled "The Long Way Up"...

Yes, that is a good suggestion. Time-wise, mention of that TV-series would probably best be in 4th-quarter 2019 (when the series was filmed) or 3rd-quarter 2020 (when the series aired on TV). So that would probably be in "Part 2" of the "History," if and when that is produced.

In the meantime, check out this thread. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[tps5352]

I'd buy that R1 car in a NY minute.

You're not kidding, that coupe was beautiful!!

Sign me up for one of those, please ? ?

Hmm. Would an information poll about this be entertaining; something that asked readers' potential interest in a revitalized Rivian sports car? For example, it could be something like this:

Early in Rivian's history, the initial goal was to create and market an affordable yet performance-laden hybrid sports car (the "R1"). <Insert more information and photos.> That task was (temporarily?) put aside in 2011 in order to build the first true, off-road capable, electricity-powered sport-recreational vehicles. What if, after the (successful) release of the R2 and R3, Rivian once again turned its attention to a sports car? Please select from among the following (more than one answer is possible):

1. Yes, sign me up. I would be interested in purchasing a Rivian (hybrid) sports car.
2. Yes, but I'd only want one if it were fully battery-electric (no ICE technology, please).
3. There's no way to tell--I'd have to see detailed specifications.
4. Maybe; the cost would have to be at or under $50,000 (or some other maximum price).
5. Yes, but I'd want only top acceleration, speed, and handling. Charge whatever is needed (within reason) to achieve uncompromising performance.
6. No. For me, Rivian is an outdoor recreational-vehicle manufacturer, and should stay that way. No sports cars, thank you.
7. Other?

Actually, I assume that all future vehicles coming from Rivian will be BEVs. (But what do I know?)

If Rivian were to revitalize the sports car project, would it continue to aim for a relatively economical design? Or at the other extreme, would it go head-to-head against the (mythical) Tesla Roadster?

All this is just idle speculation. (But fun to ponder.)

 

[NY_Rob]

^ a poll would certainly be interesting. And, with that said, it doesn't have to be a Roadster beater, especially at $50K or so. It could just be a quick/fun little coupe that handles the way it looks like it should.. like the OG Miata, you drove one because it was just flat out fun to drive!

 

[RivianRiverRat]

Hmm. Would an information poll about this be entertaining; something that asked readers' potential interest in a revitalized Rivian sports car? For example, it could be something like this:

Early in Rivian's history, the initial goal was to create and market an affordable yet performance-laden hybrid sports car (the "R1"). <Insert more information and photos.> That task was (temporarily?) put aside in 2011 in order to build the first true, off-road capable, electricity-powered sport-recreational vehicles. What if, after the (successful) release of the R2 and R3, Rivian once again turned its attention to a sports car? Please select from among the following (more than one answer is possible):

1. Yes, sign me up. I would be interested in purchasing a Rivian (hybrid) sports car.
2. Yes, but I'd only want one if it were fully battery-electric (no ICE technology, please).
3. There's no way to tell--I'd have to see detailed specifications.
4. Maybe; the cost would have to be at or under $50,000 (or some other maximum price).
5. Yes, but I'd want only top acceleration, speed, and handling. Charge whatever is needed (within reason) to achieve uncompromising performance.
6. No. For me, Rivian is an outdoor recreational-vehicle manufacturer, and should stay that way. No sports cars, thank you.
7. Other?

Actually, I assume that all future vehicles coming from Rivian will be BEVs. (But what do I know?)

If Rivian were to revitalize the sports car project, would it continue to aim for a relatively economical design? Or at the other extreme, would it go head-to-head against the (mythical) Tesla Roadster?

All this is just idle speculation. (But fun to ponder.)

RJ eluded to a more diverse line up or more options for buyers in the RichRoll podcast

 

[tps5352]

As you can see, I've added a hopefully interesting and informative poll about the once and future(?) Rivian "R1" sports car. (I considered putting it in a separate thread. But in the end I decided to keep it here.)

I'd welcome comments about such an intriguing (or possibly divisive?) idea.

(See OP for multiple sources.)​

 

[ndmiller]

No way, if I was going to buy an EV sportswear for 100K+ it's be a Porsche all day long.

I had an ICE Porsche and found out quickly, I'm not a sports car guy if I wanted to live a long healthy life. I drove stupider in that vehicle than when I got my license decades ago and the sound just kept making me go faster.

 

[tps5352]

No way, if I was going to buy an EV sportswear for 100K+ it's be a Porsche all day long.

I had an ICE Porsche and found out quickly, I'm not a sports car guy if I wanted to live a long healthy life. I drove stupider in that vehicle than when I got my license decades ago and the sound just kept making me go faster.

Interesting comments. I've never driven a Porsche, but I remember when actor Paul Walker was killed as a passenger in a Porsche Carrera GT, expert pundits were saying that the average driver is unprepared to safely pilot such a high-performance vehicle. Somehow, I don't think Rivian would ever market a high-performance, dangerous vehicle like that. (I could be wrong? I am also surprised that Tesla intends to, with its supposed new "Roadster." Interesting that it is taking so long to market the Roadster.)

So I am curious what the original intention of the "R1" sports car was. If it was going to be economical, it probably could not have competed directly with such a Porsche, Lamborghini, or other expensive/exotic sports car. On Post #26 @NY_Rob mentioned the "fun" factor. That suggests handling perfectly mated to moderate, yet still responsive and fun, power; a wide footprint; and suspension well-matched to the vehicle's weight.

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