[sciencegeek]

Rivian’s IPO filing reveals Amazon’s prime influence

Jeff Bezos’ company looms large over the EV startup.

www.theverge.com

Great summary of the important bits with context too. I love (dislike?) the closing quote.

 

[NY_Rob]

This is a little troubling:

"Rivian plans to make lots of money off its customers
However many Rivian-branded vehicles the startup sells, it’s hoping to harvest thousands of additional dollars beyond what customers plop down at the outset. The startup says it believes the “lifetime revenue” opportunity for each vehicle from software services alone is as much as $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.”".

Count me out on $10K FSD, didn't buy it from Elon, no intent on buying it from Rivian.
Now where it mentions $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.” the $5,500 for "a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services" has me a bit concerned. I'm okay with $10/month for the infotainment and connectivity stuff but higher than $10/month and I may opt out. If I do opt out... what features do I lose? That is the key question.....

 

[P. French]

I wouldn't get too excited about details in the S-1. Those are always full of "forward looking statements" regarding revenue potential to juice investor interest. That $10K might apply to an unspecified base model that doesn't have any self-driving features but could be added later for a hefty charge. All modern sales models strive to generate "sales after the sale." The preferred way to do that nowadays is through subscriptions. I agree that it would be hard to justify $10k for the benefit of taking your eyes of the road for a few seconds. I don't think my brain could ever get used attention-less driving - I'm too old school! I think we're safe in the knowledge that the R1T/S have the requisite hardware to perform various levels of self-driving (including the basic avoidance stuff), and that attempting to push a weighty charge for self-driving software on an already expensive vehicle would not benefit the image of a company looking to differentiate itself from Tesla and Big Auto. I see them getting more into things like Insurance, travel packages, add-on accessories and integration of its battery technology into other devices. Maybe some one-off stuff like electric ATVs and motorcycles. Rivian travel trailers? Regardless, nothing in the S-1 regarding future income is set in stone. The company just needs to be profitable with plan going forward that appeases investors. Basically the nature of all public companies.

 

[Mr. Gee]

This is a little troubling:

"Rivian plans to make lots of money off its customers
However many Rivian-branded vehicles the startup sells, it’s hoping to harvest thousands of additional dollars beyond what customers plop down at the outset. The startup says it believes the “lifetime revenue” opportunity for each vehicle from software services alone is as much as $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.”".

Count me out on $10K FSD, didn't buy it from Elon, no intent on buying it from Rivian.
Now where it mentions $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.” the $5,500 for "a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services" has me a bit concerned. I'm okay with $10/month for the infotainment and connectivity stuff but higher than $10/month and I may opt out. If I do opt out... what features do I lose? That is the key question.....

The membership as currently configured also includes unlimited charging, emergency battery recharge if you run out of juice on the road and off-road recovery services for mishaps on trails. Plenty of value for the $45/month they anticipate it will cost.

 

[NY_Rob]

The membership as currently configured also includes unlimited charging, emergency battery recharge if you run out of juice on the road and off-road recovery services for mishaps on trails. Plenty of value for the $45/month they anticipate it will cost.

That's cool... as long as not having it doesn't affect nav, infotainment and connectivity (ie the App for pre-conditioning) the basics should be free or $10/month.

Some of us don't plan of off-roading, or charging anywhere but home (solar covers all the charging I could ever do) or running out of juice (not my road trip vehicle).. so not interested the $45/month plan. Different strokes right?

 

[Mr. Gee]

That's cool... as long as not having it doesn't affect nav, infotainment and connectivity (ie the App for pre-conditioning) the basics should be free or $10/month.

Some of us don't plan of off-roading, or charging anywhere but home (solar covers all the charging I could ever do) or running out of juice (not my road trip vehicle).. so not interested the $45/month plan. Different strokes right?

And not every vehicle matches every person's needs. As excited as I was about Rivian a couple of years back, the world is starting to catch up. Still holding for my R1S LE but not getting it wouldn't necessary be a disappointment.

 

[Moto Geezer]

This is a little troubling:

"Rivian plans to make lots of money off its customers
However many Rivian-branded vehicles the startup sells, it’s hoping to harvest thousands of additional dollars beyond what customers plop down at the outset. The startup says it believes the “lifetime revenue” opportunity for each vehicle from software services alone is as much as $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.”".

Count me out on $10K FSD, didn't buy it from Elon, no intent on buying it from Rivian.
Now where it mentions $15,500 — $10,000 for autonomous driving features and the rest for “a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services.” the $5,500 for "a monthly subscription plan for infotainment, connectivity, diagnostics, and other services" has me a bit concerned. I'm okay with $10/month for the infotainment and connectivity stuff but higher than $10/month and I may opt out. If I do opt out... what features do I lose? That is the key question.....

I read the Jalopnik article. Enlightening information to say the least as well as "lightening your wallet" even more than the purchase of the vehicle.