Rivian launches "ALSO" micromobility EV startup for e-bikes, scooters, other small electric vehicles

[DayTripping]

I spent a lot of time on Lime scooters in a foreign country. I kept thinking I should have just brought one of my own scooters. I've had a Xootr scooter since they came out decades ago. Light weight and it easily fits in my car and gear tunnel.

I had one of their electric ones but the manual ones are very quick, never run out of charge and glide incredibly well. Add in that they weigh about 10 pounds, and they make a great last-mile(s) choice. I have several of them and 2 of them are about 25 years old and still going strong. They'll outlast my Rivian.

Sponsored

 

[Zoidz]

Rivian has designed cars which look at best look like geeky Minions and at worst look like hermaphrodites.

 

[JM.]

That is the worst, most useless site ever made, and I was around for the Morbo.com days.

 

[BrayBay]

Throw back to this thread from two years ago : https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...lls-staff-electric-bike-in-development.12353/

And the first interview that mentioned it:


That pause before he answers makes this seem like an idea a very long time in the making!

 

[mkhuffman]

Honda's Motocompacto bucks that trend. And it pays homage to another micromobility product in the brand's history. While it isn't selling like hotcakes and seen everywhere, it got a very warm public reception and got good reviews.

But it is super ugly. And slow.

 

[mkhuffman]

I have walked to restaurants not so near where my car was charging, and at the time thought it would be nice to have a powered scooter to make it much faster. But then I came to my senses. Now I just settle for what is close to the charger. (Public charging sucks.)

Since everyone is playing armchair CEO, I will give it a shot.

If RIVN set aside any cash for this, I am very disappointed. Maybe their "investment" was shares of RIVN stock? At least that would not hurt the bottom line like a cash investment would.

I am concerned regarding the payoff to RIVN, especially if the products do not have a Rivian brand name on them. At least if the products are good, it will help improve company name recognition if "Rivian" is on the products. But if it is a new brand, I fail to see how this is a good move for a car company that is cash flow negative. But that is just me, sitting on the couch, drinking a beer, and judging without all the information needed to make a good decision.

 

[malditofman]

Eye roll

This out this morning: Rivian (significant minority shareholder) launching "a new electric micromobility company that spun out of Rivian and aims to release a flagship product by 2026 that isn't a car, but will help city-dwellers get around in other ways. "

I'm sure this will be a real enhancement to Rivian's prospects for future success. (eye roll)

Article
https://insideevs.com/news/754567/also-rivian-scooter-mobility/

Press Release
https://ridealso.com/news

Eye roll? Seriously? This is a smart enhancement to Rivian's business and consistent with it's brand. It's being done in a way that resources are not being siphoned off their EV development. Brilliant. Rivian's management continues to execute. Electric mobility is a worldwide trend and Rivian is fully on board and not dragging its feet like some legacy ICE manufacturers. Rivian has the potential to dominate in many markets, especially as Tesla's management continues its self destructive behavior. Rivian continues to do EVs right. Drive well.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Just going to put my two cents in here. RJ said he'd been planning something like this for 10 years. Having it as a spin off with RJ on the board and the 105 million investment, I don't think will hurt them in the long run as they said besides RJ's involvement (which I feel is a personal choice rather than a company one) and the 105 mil investment, they weren't planning to interfere with operations of Also.

From what I heard, while Also will be run on its own, it will have some ties to Rivian in that it will use their show rooms and share their spaces. This could work out as people who can't afford a Rivian can still get something Rivian related (especially if they end up making motorbikes or something) or someone shopping for a Rivian may make an impulse buy. Rivian spaces are also opened to general public to kind of just go in without wanting to buy a car and just work and what not which also may draw the eye of people who go their regularly.

Even if it doesn't do well in the States, it might do so oversees and its possible that's their intention. Who knows. From how Rivian has handled the company so far, I think they make good decisions and if RJ is passionate about this project (which it has been on his mind for a long time) I don't think RJ will set it up to fail and would have waited if he didn't think this was a good time to spin it off. Just wait and see.

 

[bike123.com]

This out this morning: Rivian (significant minority shareholder) launching "a new electric micromobility company that spun out of Rivian and aims to release a flagship product by 2026 that isn't a car, but will help city-dwellers get around in other ways. "

I'm sure this will be a real enhancement to Rivian's prospects for future success. (eye roll)

Article
https://insideevs.com/news/754567/also-rivian-scooter-mobility/

Press Release
https://ridealso.com/news

We’ve been in bicycle retail 59 years.
First Ebike was a kit using a 12v starter motor driving front wheel with a stone mandrel and a 75# LA battery behind the seat.
Since then our boneyard has amassed $170k in ‘experimental’ e-bikes.
It’s a gallons shame.
After a half century of trying, e-bikes are still Betamax v VHS.(broadcasters knew Betamax was superior)
Some are electric assist bikes, while many seldom get pedaled. You’ve seen people moving the pedals just enough and sitting totally erect going at max.
For them them we suggest a good e motorcycle or scooter.
Here’s the helmet-scratcher…..
On the huge list of experts with whom they teamed, there was no one from the bicyclesphere.

 

[bike123.com]

This out this morning: Rivian (significant minority shareholder) launching "a new electric micromobility company that spun out of Rivian and aims to release a flagship product by 2026 that isn't a car, but will help city-dwellers get around in other ways. "

I'm sure this will be a real enhancement to Rivian's prospects for future success. (eye roll)

Article
https://insideevs.com/news/754567/also-rivian-scooter-mobility/

Press Release
https://ridealso.com/news

This

I spent a lot of time on Lime scooters in a foreign country. I kept thinking I should have just brought one of my own scooters. I've had a Xootr scooter since they came out decades ago. Light weight and it easily fits in my car and gear tunnel.

I had one of their electric ones but the manual ones are very quick, never run out of charge and glide incredibly well. Add in that they weigh about 10 pounds, and they make a great last-mile(s) choice. I have several of them and 2 of them are about 25 years old and still going strong. They'll outlast my Rivian.

this just in:
The North American director of one of the top 3 bike manufacturers/suppliers for the USA is a bit more familiar with the project, and I quote:

Larry,

Let’s see how this eBike works and performs. I have not seen it, but believe it should be good. It will be made in Taiwan, and retail in the $3k to $5k range. You may be a little jaded by your Rivian truck as a foundation.

It is an interesting machine. Much like Van Moof it uses a huge majority of unique proprietary parts. This will make it unique but also a customer care/warranty challenge.

Let’s see what it is all about and more details before judgement.

I am more concerned with new entrants using the DJIbdrive system. It is high quality, light, high performance and inexpensive. This is the right formula for success.

 

[Lark]

Surviving baby boomers will all be over 65 by 2030. That is an increasingly enormous mobility market and those with means will spend $$$ for good design and performance.

 

[savethemanual]

Surviving baby boomers will all be over 65 by 2030. That is an increasingly enormous mobility market and those with means will spend $$$ for good design and performance.

And a huge ER market when they all wipe out on their speedy electric mobility devices

Sponsored