Price increases on Ascent Trim options

[usulio]

I think (hope!) that this is a relatively temporary condition: for now, it's not worth the effort for third-party manufacfurers of replacement parts even to notice the existence of Rivian. There just aren't enough of these vehicles out there. If Rivian succeeds as a company, manufacturers will see the opportunity and will make these things. Gen 1 might be out in the cold on that since the number of Gen 1 vehicles is now capped and dropping (slowly, one hopes). But there's enough overlap that we'll still benefit on some items. My (irrational) hope is that my warranty will last long enough to start seeing third-party manufacturers of replacement parts begin appearing. Otherwise, the cost of ownership of this thing will become unendurable in a few years.

I'm hoping that Rivian realizes the easiest way to satisfy those 8-year Gen 1 warranties is to certify third party shops and third-party replacement parts. No idea if that's realistic, but one can dream.

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[DuoRivians]

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[kozak79]

silver cross bars $700
dark cross bars $800 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

holy guacamole

I can't believe they were $450 at one point.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Those are more premium interior options. Storm blue is also a new color so they may try to capitalize on that.

also the incentives and rewards program are demand triggers for them and so I expect to see some items increase in price to offset the cost of the various incentives.

Their supply costs could also be increasing. Bottom line they feel like the market will allow them to charge that.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

This is purely driven by demand. I got my trimax from the shop in Storm Blue with Slate Sky, and that config was gone in a matter of minutes when one would appear in the shop. I saw many go in under an hour. Since I had an order already and a 3 K deposit, I decided to make a second account, get the next one in my configuration from the shop, and hope they could merge them/ credit me the 3K. I couldn't do it as they asked me to because when I would contact my guide about one being available in the shop, it would be gone before she could get to it.


Luckily, everything worked out; I was credited my second deposit within the day, and my trimax was switched to my main account. I am unsure if the demand is still that high for that configuration but this price increase points to that being the case.

 

[windblowlc]

This is purely driven by demand. I got my trimax from the shop in Storm Blue with Slate Sky, and that config was gone in a matter of minutes when one would appear in the shop. I saw many go in under an hour. Since I had an order already and a 3 K deposit, I decided to make a second account, get the next one in my configuration from the shop, and hope they could merge them/ credit me the 3K. I couldn't do it as they asked me to because when I would contact my guide about one being available in the shop, it would be gone before she could get to it.


Luckily, everything worked out; I was credited my second deposit within the day, and my trimax was switched to my main account. I am unsure if the demand is still that high for that configuration but this price increase points to that being the case.

Yeah, when I bought mine, everything in this color combo got sold in a matter of minutes. Now there are 8 of them in the shop with half of them 2-3 days old. I got one a couple days before prices on this color combo increase by $1500.

Before I got my Tri-Motor, I was a few minutes late in the early morning when one opened up and it got sold to someone else. So when I saw one appeared, I clicked immediately before looking at the other options. But then I checked what I had bought, I realized it had the bright instead of the darkout package (why would anyone buy that I wonder) so I had to call CS to cancel the shop order. They told me they won't refund my $500 deposit if I cancel. I politely told them that I've been supporting the company with my purchases and preorders (R1T Quad, preorders for R1 Gen 2 Quad, 3 R2s...) and if they do that to me, I would cancel not just one but all orders. They put me on hold to confer with the manager and then told me they would refund the $500 this one time. Thanks, RIVIAN!

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Yeah, when I bought mine, everything in this color combo got sold in a matter of minutes. Now there are 8 of them in the shop with half of them 2-3 days old. I got one a couple days before prices on this color combo increase by $1500.

Before I got my Tri-Motor, I was a few minutes late in the early morning when one opened up and it got sold to someone else. So when I saw one appeared, I clicked immediately before looking at the other options. But then I checked what I had bought, I realized it had the bright instead of the darkout package (why would anyone buy that I wonder) so I had to call CS to cancel the shop order. They told me they won't refund my $500 deposit if I cancel. I politely told them that I've been supporting the company with my purchases and preorders (R1T Quad, preorders for R1 Gen 2 Quad, 3 R2s...) and if they do that to me, I would cancel not just one but all orders. They put me on hold to confer with the manager and then told me they would refund the $500 this one time. Thanks, RIVIAN!

Doesn’t surprise me that there are some sitting there now. That was probably by design to equalize demand across trims.

 

[malditofman]

Maybe I missed the announcement, but it appears Rivian has increased the price of the Storm Blue paint by $500 (now $3k) and the Slate Sky interior (now also $3k).

Interestingly, the Ocean Coast + Driftwood is $2.5k now.

If some accessories are made in China, don't be surprised if price adjusts are happening due to promised tariffs by the incoming billionaire administration. The other hikes are for higher end variants of interior and paint. At least LA Silver is still free, which I did rather like with the dark out package. I don't think all these increases will give Rivian a statistically significant boost toward profits. They making modest adjustments here and there to reflect their costs. Quite a few companies have announced price hikes coming in January. We'll all adjust and roll with the punches. There are third party crossbars, and although Ocean Coast is pretty it's not really practical as every smudge will show. Drive well.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Why would they increase the price of an option that is not selling well? Last I learned in Econ 101, price goes up when demand goes up.

In econ 201, you learn about price breaks and contract minimums.

 

[savethemanual]

In econ 201, you learn about price breaks and contract minimums.

True, then we go on to Econ 301 with more detailed demand theory, production/costs and the variable inputs, distribution of income and competitive equilibriums.

 

[Riviaenz]

Looks to be the case. I wonder if they are pricing them up because they are not moving as many units as they had hoped, or if they are pricing up the higher demand options so that their margins go up on the optioned items they are selling more of.

Most likely anticipating expected Amazon fees since owners won’t be making Prime deliveries that help Amazon Logistics meet their daily quotas.

 

[Erik+]

Why would they increase the price of an option that is not selling well? Last I learned in Econ 101, price goes up when demand goes up.

Not always with luxury demand items, in this case the tri or quad motor variants.

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