Rivian electric truck

[Morris Minor]

As for the front-end styling. It jarred at first. but it's grown on me. Same with the Model 3.
I'm guessing the Feds will be under pressure to change the regs for things like headlights as lighting technologies change. e.g. do we really need two headlights?

[Submariner]

This company is interesting. They've existed for 9 years now. They're much closer to production than something like the Tesla Model Y or pickup.

Tesla has four models.  Rivian has a supposed production date for one.

[Payman]

This company is interesting. They’ve existed for 9 years now. They’re much closer to production than something like the Tesla Model Y or pickup.

I doubt it. Elio has existed for 11.

[Submariner]

I doubt it. Elio has existed for 11.

Ah yes.  Elio.  Initial production date?  2012.

[GoCougs]

Yes please.

https://youtu.be/QMfxJEfb4lw

At least that guy seems normal (did some research - he was a lead at McLaren for its road cars - so he's legit).

IFS and IRS. One motor per wheel. 400 mile range. Even the ginormous charge status bar on the front is nifty. This is an EV I could get behind.

$60k - $70k is tough to imagine though. Perhaps that is what will happen eventually? EVs are actually cheaper to manufacture than ICE-based vehicles?

[Payman]

Ah yes.  Elio.  Initial production date?  2012.

I remember the prototype in 2008, to be on sale "in 2 years".

[BimmerM3]

$60k - $70k is tough to imagine though. Perhaps that is what will happen eventually? EVs are actually cheaper to manufacture than ICE-based vehicles?

That price is for the 250 mile version. I don't think they've said anything about how much the bigger battery will cost.

[Submariner]

I remember the prototype in 2008, to be on sale "in 2 years".

They must be having finding/production issues.  I can't imagine that there is anything revolutionary about the mechanicals.  Or maybe they're having trouble hitting the price/MPG targets.

[Payman]

They must be having finding/production issues.  I can't imagine that there is anything revolutionary about the mechanicals.  Or maybe they're having trouble hitting the price/MPG targets.

I've been checking in on them over the years. So much hilarity...
- They managed to obtain over 60,000 deposits, worth over $72 million.
- They abandoned the Suzuki/GEO Metro 3 banger to develop their own engine with IAI, and quickly burned thru that 72 mil.
- They bought the old GM plant in Shreveport, thru a business dude that's now in prison.
- Caddish Parish in LA has brought numerous lawsuits against Elio.
- Everything for the past 4 years has depended on getting a federal loan of some $225 million.
- They even sold shares in an IPO, which are pretty much worthless.
- Their business plan submitted for federal funding indicates production of 60,000 Elios in the 1st year, and 200,000 in subsequent years.
- They entered into a crypto currency scheme with Overstock.com to try to raise money that way.

[Payman]

Had an argument with a deposit holder on Elio Owner's Forum (yeah, lol) a few years ago..

"Paul Elio is a successful businessman"
Me: "That doesn't mean he knows anything about the car industry"
"It's big business, there's no difference"
Me: "Really? Lebron James is a successful athlete. That doesn't mean he'll be successful in the Indy 500".

That's about where I got ganged up on by ever-optimistic Elio "owners". 

[AutobahnSHO]

Lol Elio. I had a FB friends who was a fan so I saw their stuff occasionally. Been very quiet for a year or more though...

[Submariner]

Any reason why they dumped the engine?

Squeezing more power/efficiency out of a modern ICE is a job for massive multi-nationals with an army of engineers and 10 digit cash reserves.  Did Elio think they could pull a Mazda...without the resources and time that Mazda has?

[MrH]

Tesla has four models.  Rivian has a supposed production date for one.

Had.  They currently produce 3.

This is way closer to production than the new Tesla Roadster, Model Y, and Pickup.  That's a fact

[BimmerM3]

Had.  They currently produce 3.

This is way closer to production than the new Tesla Roadster, Model Y, and Pickup.  That's a fact

I think the point is that it seems like you're giving Rivian a whole lot of credit for making their vehicle in the shape of a pickup. Tesla clearly could have produced a pickup by now if they had chosen to focus their efforts on one.

[CaminoRacer]

Had.  They currently produce 3.

This is way closer to production than the new Tesla Roadster, Model Y, and Pickup.  That's a fact

Currently producing 3 products is a lot more credible though, even if their next model is a way's off.

[Payman]

Had.  They currently produce 3.

This is way closer to production than the new Tesla Roadster, Model Y, and Pickup.  That's a fact

How do you know this fact?

[Submariner]

Had.  They currently produce 3.

This is way closer to production than the new Tesla Roadster, Model Y, and Pickup.  That's a fact

They say that their truck is closer to production.  When I see actual vehicles on the line, I'll believe it.

Even then, Tesla has actual vehicles on the line, and every day we're treated to a new horror story. 

When they have reliable figures on deliveries actually made, then we can talk.

[MrH]

How do you know this fact?

Rivian has a plant with capacity to build their vehicles.  Tesla currently doesn't have a plant or capacity to build the Model Y or Roadster.  If they plan to make them on Freemont, they need major CapEx.  They currently have no major capex planned in their financial forecast.  Their paint line is maxed out at 5k/vehicles per week.  I guess they could discontinue a model or something, but the capacity has to come from somewhere.

Also, Rivian has a full interior. 

[Payman]

Rivian has a plant with capacity to build their vehicles.  Tesla currently doesn't have a plant or capacity to build the Model Y or Roadster.  If they plan to make them on Freemont, they need major CapEx.  They currently have no major capex planned in their financial forecast.  Their paint line is maxed out at 5k/vehicles per week.  I guess they could discontinue a model or something, but the capacity has to come from somewhere.

Also, Rivian has a full interior. 

Elio has a plant as well...

[MrH]

Elio has a plant as well...

Elio was never this far along in terms of launching a vehicle.

Not saying this is 100% guaranteed to make it, but so far, it's way further ahead than a lot of other start ups and fantasy ideas.

[MX793]

Elio has a plant as well...

A factory or a decorative fern?

[Soup DeVille]

A factory or a decorative fern?

They got some sort of government asssisted deal to lease the closed GM Shreveport truck plant. Far too big for their purposes, they can't afford to keep the lights on.

[MX793]

They got some sort of government asssisted deal to lease the closed GM Shreveport truck plant. Far too big for their purposes, they can't afford to keep the lights on.

Then I hope they put the fern near a window.  They don't do too well in the dark.

[shp4man]

Man, somebody (not me) started a thread on my Chevy truck forum about this vehicle. Holy shit, let's just say they were less than enthusiastic. 

[Laconian]

Man, somebody (not me) started a thread on my Chevy truck forum about this vehicle. Holy shit, let's just say they were less than enthusiastic. 

For good reasons, or just the usual knee-jerk tribal shit?

[shp4man]

For good reasons, or just the usual knee-jerk tribal shit?

There was some of the "that ain't no truck, dammit" stuff but some thought is was ugly, some thought the bed was too small, many thought it was too expensive. Some thought it was the future of pickups (a few). The 0 to 60 time threw them for a loop.

[Laconian]

Sounds about normal for a forum

[FoMoJo]

Rivian R1T pickup reportedly gets GM-Amazon investment

[r0tor]

It looks like now the $700million is from Amazon and no GM connection. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a26357290/rivian-amazon-investment/


I would be shitting myself if I were the CEO of the particular Big 3 company that just dropped cars and went all in on trucks

[GoCougs]

It looks like now the $700million is from Amazon and no GM connection. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a26357290/rivian-amazon-investment/


I would be shitting myself if I were the CEO of the particular Big 3 company that just dropped cars and went all in on trucks

Ford has dropped the ball on tech in general - leaning on turbos, ignoring EVs and autonomous driving - but Ford knows that trucks buyers are the most loyal.

IF this makes it to production, it'll go like Tesla - some initial sales success but for the market at large, it won't mean much (it'll be too expensive and too untenable of a business venture).