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Ford invests $500M in Rivian! Partnership to deliver all-new Ford EV

stank65

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Maybe as part of the deal Ford has agreed not to use the skateboard platform for a pickup or SUV which will compete directly with the R1T or R1S, either permanently or for a certain number of years.



I don't think the electric F-150 will really be competing directly with the R1T. One is an ICE vehicle adapted to be an electric vehicle while the other one is a ground-up EV. The F-150 being on an adapted platform won't be optimized for electricity unlike the R1T which will have the benefits of being an EV with a skateboard platform (advantages: battery capacity, range, drivetrain simplicity, etc.).
Yes, it could result in a lower end work truck EV (Ford version) and a high-end Rivian based vehicle. As the pricing improves for the skateboard it will move down to the lower cost/higher volume models.
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stank65

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I’ll have to find the article, but there was a great article about the mindset that Rivian could take being partnered with Amazon. The skateboard platform is an unprecedented opportunity for car manufacturing to become much more like the production of other pieces of technology like phones, computers etc. as stated above. Rivian wouldn’t be competing against itself, it would be winning both ways.
 

DocTwinkie

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I’ll have to find the article, but there was a great article about the mindset that Rivian could take being partnered with Amazon. The skateboard platform is an unprecedented opportunity for car manufacturing to become much more like the production of other pieces of technology like phones, computers etc. as stated above. Rivian wouldn’t be competing against itself, it would be winning both ways.
It’s kinda hilarious that GM did the whole skateboard thing ages ago (2002) and just never saw it through.

Doh!
 

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This may clear up the "designated Rivian Service Centers" question. Rural customers directed to go to selected Ford dealers for Rivian R1T, R1S service? Hmmmm.
That is 100% my thought too! It makes perfect sense. Half of the vehicle is the skateboard, and if Ford technicians are trained, why not use them as Service centers throughout the US.
 

DocTwinkie

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That is 100% my thought too! It makes perfect sense. Half of the vehicle is the skateboard, and if Ford technicians are trained, why not use them as Service centers throughout the US.
I will throw one wrench into this scenario. Firstly I think they should use Ford Service centers since they really have no other option to create a large network.

That said this is a car competing with Land Rover level prices. When you buy a high end car like this a LOT of what you’re paying for is the white glove service.

Land Rover comes to your house, drops off a nice loaner. BMW will do the same, often with some swag in the center console when they drop it back off. Go sit in a Mercedes dealership for a bit. Enjoy the free drinks, snacks, etc. then stop by your local Ford. Vending machine and a loaner with 100k miles on it if you’re lucky.

The 5 star service this cars price tag demands isn’t present at a ford dealership.

They may be better off using their Lincoln dealers especially the black label certified ones to service Rivians. If they use ford it will be nice to have at least some option for service but I bet people will get pretty upset taking their 100k Rivian in and being given the option to wait in the lobby or maybe have a focus to drive around. Lol.
 

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I will throw one wrench into this scenario. Firstly I think they should use Ford Service centers since they really have no other option to create a large network.

That said this is a car competing with Land Rover level prices. When you buy a high end car like this a LOT of what you’re paying for is the white glove service.

Land Rover comes to your house, drops off a nice loaner. BMW will do the same, often with some swag in the center console when they drop it back off. Go sit in a Mercedes dealership for a bit. Enjoy the free drinks, snacks, etc. then stop by your local Ford. Vending machine and a loaner with 100k miles on it if you’re lucky.

The 5 star service this cars price tag demands isn’t present at a ford dealership.

They may be better off using their Lincoln dealers especially the black label certified ones to service Rivians. If they use ford it will be nice to have at least some option for service but I bet people will get pretty upset taking their 100k Rivian in and being given the option to wait in the lobby or maybe have a focus to drive around. Lol.
I agree with your thought process on this. To establish themselves as a reputable brand that is here to stay, Rivian must focus on user experience and do better than competition in order to create a strong foothold in the market, customers and clients Rivian is targeting are those with money who can afford such vehicles and experiences, they demand and expect this. As well as changing minds of those who are already quite skeptical of the entire EV trend or those who are disappointed with other EV manufacturers customer delivery experiences (Looking at you Tesla!)
 

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I will throw one wrench into this scenario. Firstly I think they should use Ford Service centers since they really have no other option to create a large network.

That said this is a car competing with Land Rover level prices. When you buy a high end car like this a LOT of what you’re paying for is the white glove service.

Land Rover comes to your house, drops off a nice loaner. BMW will do the same, often with some swag in the center console when they drop it back off. Go sit in a Mercedes dealership for a bit. Enjoy the free drinks, snacks, etc. then stop by your local Ford. Vending machine and a loaner with 100k miles on it if you’re lucky.

The 5 star service this cars price tag demands isn’t present at a ford dealership.

They may be better off using their Lincoln dealers especially the black label certified ones to service Rivians. If they use ford it will be nice to have at least some option for service but I bet people will get pretty upset taking their 100k Rivian in and being given the option to wait in the lobby or maybe have a focus to drive around. Lol.
I'd rather have a well made vehicle that doesn't require a lot of time at the dealership than any of these meaningless gestures. If the Rivian has the same poor reliability as a Land Rover, I would not buy one no matter how pampered I am at the dealer. If it has excellent reliability, I won't care about the pampered treatment at the dealer because I won't be going there that often.
 

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I will throw one wrench into this scenario. Firstly I think they should use Ford Service centers since they really have no other option to create a large network.

That said this is a car competing with Land Rover level prices. When you buy a high end car like this a LOT of what you’re paying for is the white glove service.

Land Rover comes to your house, drops off a nice loaner. BMW will do the same, often with some swag in the center console when they drop it back off. Go sit in a Mercedes dealership for a bit. Enjoy the free drinks, snacks, etc. then stop by your local Ford. Vending machine and a loaner with 100k miles on it if you’re lucky.

The 5 star service this cars price tag demands isn’t present at a ford dealership.

They may be better off using their Lincoln dealers especially the black label certified ones to service Rivians. If they use ford it will be nice to have at least some option for service but I bet people will get pretty upset taking their 100k Rivian in and being given the option to wait in the lobby or maybe have a focus to drive around. Lol.
You do bring up a valid point. As I made my way through your first paragraph I said well then send me to Lincoln... Then I started reading your second paragraph... Great counter.
 

jimcgov3

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I'd rather have a well made vehicle that doesn't require a lot of time at the dealership than any of these meaningless gestures. If the Rivian has the same poor reliability as a Land Rover, I would not buy one no matter how pampered I am at the dealer. If it has excellent reliability, I won't care about the pampered treatment at the dealer because I won't be going there that often.
True, but for those few times a year (tire rotations, and battery coolant services), why not? My local Nissan dealership isn't too shabby and even provides loaners if my service is longer than an hour or so.
 

stank65

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True, but for those few times a year (tire rotations, and battery coolant services), why not? My local Nissan dealership isn't too shabby and even provides loaners if my service is longer than an hour or so.
These cars will rarely have to be serviced. I don’t need white glove to get my tires rotated and the car inspected annually.
 

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CappyJax

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True, but for those few times a year (tire rotations, and battery coolant services), why not? My local Nissan dealership isn't too shabby and even provides loaners if my service is longer than an hour or so.
I would do that stuff myself and save the trip the the dealer. Only a tiny fraction of people feel the need to be pampered.
 

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I would do that stuff myself and save the trip the the dealer. Only a tiny fraction of people feel the need to be pampered.
I highly disagree that high end luxury brand buyers don’t want pampered. We are talking people who woulda buy Mercedes, Land Rover, Jag. This isn’t your Acura or Infiniti buyer. This price point is European luxury. I think most people driving their S Class aren’t going to change their own oil and aren’t going to be happy with a Nissan Versa loaner. Lol.
 

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I highly disagree that high end luxury brand buyers don’t want pampered. We are talking people who woulda buy Mercedes, Land Rover, Jag. This isn’t your Acura or Infiniti buyer. This price point is European luxury. I think most people driving their S Class aren’t going to change their own oil and aren’t going to be happy with a Nissan Versa loaner. Lol.
Well, you don't have to worry about oil changes in the Rivian. And why would you take any vehicle to the dealer for an oil change when you can get it done in 15 minutes at a lube shop and pay 1/4th the price? Or take it to a tire shop and get their tires rotated for free?
 

DocTwinkie

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Well, you don't have to worry about oil changes in the Rivian. And why would you take any vehicle to the dealer for an oil change when you can get it done in 15 minutes at a lube shop and pay 1/4th the price? Or take it to a tire shop and get their tires rotated for free?
It’s less about maintenance and more about warranty. These cars require next to no maintenance. But they are complex machines from a brand new company. They are probably gonna have their time in the shop.

So yeah. When someone cruising their 100k truck finds out the fancy 180 tailgate is stuck and they drop it off they are going to expect some high end customer service.
 

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It’s less about maintenance and more about warranty. These cars require next to no maintenance. But they are complex machines from a brand new company. They are probably gonna have their time in the shop.

So yeah. When someone cruising their 100k truck finds out the fancy 180 tailgate is stuck and they drop it off they are going to expect some high end customer service.
To me, high end customer service is doing the job quickly and correctly. I don't need snacks and mints in the bathroom, and I don't care what the loaner car is.
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