[ERivTruck]

Nice videos of the stamping plant and body shops. Didn't know Rivian was stamping some of their own parts. That will help in controlled dimensional quality. Still would be neat to see GA (general assembly) and Final Line inspection.

Thanks for the post!

 

[Toha]

Thats absolutely amazing to see , feel like Christmas is coming.
Can watch over and over again .

 

[eHauler]

Very cool experience but I was hoping to see some demonstrations or them present certain things.

 

[Mark Redo]

So, I have learned from this that they can only produce a side panel for R1T. Not even one car is being produced during these videos.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

So, I have learned from this that they can only produce a side panel for R1T. Not even one car is being produced during these videos.

They don't produce each part for a single vehicle, sequentially. I believe it's common for manufacturers to stamp parts in batches. There is overhead in swapping dies, so they'll load the dies and stamp a bunch of left sides, for example. Then when they have enough (I'm sure a team figures out the optimal number to maximize efficiency and cost) they'll swap dies and stamp another part.

 

[ERivTruck]

Correct. Stamping shops run parts in batches. We are talking THOUSANDS of part in a run, then change die, home line it gauge check the first off piece, and repeat the process. Not to mention that I doubt Rivian is 100% stamping ALL their metal parts. That would be a massive stamping plant. So some of the parts / components are probably outsourced by Tier 1 suppliers.

 

[Broker21]

Although somewhat cool, the tour looks so staged!
I've toured auto assembly lines when I purchased my sportscar, and I saw line workers more productive when building all hand-built cars!
(Less-Stagging, More-Working).

 

[Mark Redo]

They don't produce each part for a single vehicle, sequentially. I believe it's common for manufacturers to stamp parts in batches. There is overhead in swapping dies, so they'll load the dies and stamp a bunch of left sides, for example. Then when they have enough (I'm sure a team figures out the optimal number to maximize efficiency and cost) they'll swap dies and stamp another part.

Sorry, but still doesn't explain why 90% of the machinery during the tour was out of use. I thought they produce vehicles there not only stamping body shells.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Sorry, but still doesn't explain why 90% of the machinery during the tour was out of use. I thought they produce vehicles there not only stamping body shells.

The factory isn't at 100%. Maybe you haven't heard, but deliveries were delayed. They've got some big machinery that is non-functional and COVID logistics complications have made repairs take a long time, so processes are slower and more manual. They're also building vehicles with non-production VINs in groups of only 15. Then they regroup to discuss/analyze and hone in their processes. They're not running the entire line.

I'm sure the factory is no where near as chaotic as it could be, if production was moving at full speed.

 

[Mark Redo]

The factory isn't at 100%. Maybe you haven't heard, but deliveries were delayed. They've got some big machinery that is non-functional and COVID logistics complications have made repairs take a long time, so processes are slower and more manual. They're also building vehicles with non-production VINs in groups of only 15. Then they regroup to discuss/analyze and hone in their processes. They're not running the entire line.

I'm sure the factory is no where near as chaotic as it could be, if production was moving at full speed.

I don't think you know how it works. VW had 300.000 ID.3 Ready in May for lunch in September. If the only thing they can do is stamp the body panels 2 weeks before deliveries. Don't expect this to be ready before Xmas.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I don't think you know how it works. VW had 300.000 ID.3 Ready in May for lunch in September. If the only thing they can do is stamp the body panels 2 weeks before deliveries. Don't expect this to be ready before Xmas.

Yes, because comparing a startup to literally the largest automotive manufacturer in the world is a totally reasonable and fair comparison.

How dare Rivian not do what VW did! SHAME!

 

[Ticarterdaniell]

Check out this footage from inside the Rivian factory in Normal, Illinois from a tour Rivian held.

Cool videos, but seeing the progress of the production line, how could they ever say deliveries would start in July?
I question how the very first pre order holders are now being told October delivery?

 

[ERivTruck]

The other thing that could be going on that is completely reasonable is that when you get to actually building your pre-productions test vehicles from an assembly line, the Rivian folks are seeing things and issues they never dreamt of when they hand built these vehicles and designed them on a computer. Most auto companies that 3-6 months to sllloooooowwwly ramp up production of a new vehicle. And that comes from an assembly plant that is already set up to run vehicles. The only comparable thing I can think of is GM (Factory Zero) in Detroit. It was building Volts. Now it was shut down and being retooled to build the BT1XX program (Hummer truck). This is a completely different sized vehicle and different content. And even with GM's manufacturing might, those vehicles are not going to hit showrooms until 2022 (at the earliest).

So what is the morale of my story? Give Rivian time to work out all the issues because the last thing any of us early adopters want is a truck wit ha lot of defect and shoddy workmanship in our garages.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

And even with GM's manufacturing might, those vehicles are not going to hit showrooms until 2022 (at the earliest).

Have they announced a delay? Last I heard they were still saying Fall 2021. I'm not saying they will hit that target... Just that I haven't heard them say they won't.

 

[RITVT]

This thread is all speculation. They could have been in the plant touring during a planned (and even extended) shift break. Let's not forget this whole pre-order tour event was HIGHLY INTENTIONAL. Their value equation to take certain functions in the facility off-line intentionally could also have been for safety reasons, or to protect IP. People don't just get to stroll through manufacturing facilities or assembly lines. So many assumptions being trolled through this thread. LOL