Rivian implements significant price increases for its electric pickup R1T and SUV R1S. The price increase is about 17 to 20 percent for certain variants and, according to the company, is mainly due to rising material costs and problems in the supply chain. Rivian will also eventually come up with a new powertrain with two electric motors.
The price increase that Rivian is implementing only applies to the existing ‘Quad Motor’ versions. With that motorization and the ‘Large’ battery pack, the R1T was available from converted €60,800, which is now more than €71,000. With the R1S, the Quad Motor’s price increase is even greater. It initially cost over €63,000, but Rivian is now asking no less than €76,145 for it. Rivian cites inflationary pressures, rising parts costs and supply chain problems as reasons for the price hike. Incidentally, some Rivian customers who have ordered a copy will also have to deal with the price increase.
Those customers can also opt for the new ‘Dual Motor’ variant, which Rivian wants to deliver from 2024. Where the Quad Motor has four electric motors from Bosch on board, the Dual Motor gets electric power sources developed by Rivian on the front and rear axle. So the four-wheel drive remains. According to Rivian, you do not lose a lot of power with this, because according to the company, the Dual Motor is still good for more than 600 hp and a sprint time of 4 seconds to 60 mph (97 km/h). Rivian also comes with a new battery pack. The ‘Standard’ battery is good for a range of more than 260 miles (416 kilometers), according to the company. In comparison: with the Large battery pack you theoretically get 502 kilometers away. The R1T with Dual Motor will cost at least €60,826 converted, the R1S is available from €63,079. Indeed, more or less the same as the Quad Motor used to cost.
If those customers are satisfied with the above variant, they will receive less car for the same price and they will have to wait two years longer. This leads to angry reactions on Twitter. A number of customers then decided to cancel the order. Another change in Rivian’s offer is that the R1S is now only available as a seven-seater. The five-seat version has been dropped from the offer. Rivian also says that the prices of options and accessories have increased.
Expansion
Rivian does not want to limit himself to America alone. The company is currently in talks with VDL Nedcar about setting up a European production line. Rivian also seems to be working on a distribution center in the Netherlands. The ambitions are great, but so far Rivian has only delivered around 920 cars. Tesla boss Elon Musk mocks the news about Rivian on Twitter. “Their negative margin will be astonishing,” said Musk, who has also experienced some startup problems with Tesla.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl