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> it sounds like they have their shit together a lot more than Tesla. Is that really a meaningful comparison considering the tremendous difference in scale? T

> it sounds like they have their shit together a lot more than Tesla. Is that really a meaningful comparison considering the tremendous difference in scale? They probably won't have their shit together when they have to deliver thousands of vehicles per week.

carlivar 8y ago
Tesla also struggles with this, and I think it's because of their direct model. If Rivian uses dealers they should have an easier time in theory. It strikes me that Rivian is combining the advantages of electric vehicles with the advantages of auto industry know-how, instead of independent hubris.
- greglindahl 8y ago
  Lots of people have theories as to what Tesla's problems are, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many Tesla owners who think they'd be better off with a dealer. I can name several things Tesla ought to do better, and none of them have anything to do with dealers.
  - carlivar 8y ago
    Parts supply logistics and repair times wouldn't improve with dealers?
    - kwhitefoot 8y ago
      No, it would simply add another layer of annoyance, indirection, and excuses to an already fraught situation.
    - newnewpdro 8y ago
      If Tesla can't supply enough parts introducing a dealer layer won't make the parts magically appear. It would add more overhead to the transaction and if history is any indicator, sleazy interactions and business practices thrown in as well. I'm fairly confident once the dust settles Tesla owners will be happy to not have auto dealers in their lives. There's just a teething period while Tesla ramps up to a mature manufacturer at scale.
      - greglindahl 8y ago
        As a data point, Tesla isn't very good at delivering body parts to independent body shops. I don't see why dealers would be any more successful at nagging them. I also suspect it's a lot easier for Tesla to fix their parts problem than it is for dealers to stop being smarmy.
bonestamp2 8y ago
Delivering thousands of vehicles per week could be where GM's experience becomes helpful.
- kwhitefoot 8y ago
  Is GM getting involved or just investing?
  - bonestamp2 8y ago
    Some analysts believe they will help on the production side too since they don't have an EV Pickup in the next 3 years of road map. Each side might learn something from sharing their expertise. Apparently Amazon is interested from a delivery vehicle standpoint. It's probably not that useful as a pickup truck, but it could be a good platform to build a proper delivery vehicle on.

carlivar 8y ago

Tesla also struggles with this, and I think it's because of their direct model. If Rivian uses dealers they should have an easier time in theory. It strikes me that Rivian is combining the advantages of electric vehicles with the advantages of auto industry know-how, instead of independent hubris.

greglindahl 8y ago
Lots of people have theories as to what Tesla's problems are, but you'd be hard-pressed to find many Tesla owners who think they'd be better off with a dealer. I can name several things Tesla ought to do better, and none of them have anything to do with dealers.
- carlivar 8y ago
  Parts supply logistics and repair times wouldn't improve with dealers?
  - kwhitefoot 8y ago
    No, it would simply add another layer of annoyance, indirection, and excuses to an already fraught situation.
  - newnewpdro 8y ago
    If Tesla can't supply enough parts introducing a dealer layer won't make the parts magically appear. It would add more overhead to the transaction and if history is any indicator, sleazy interactions and business practices thrown in as well. I'm fairly confident once the dust settles Tesla owners will be happy to not have auto dealers in their lives. There's just a teething period while Tesla ramps up to a mature manufacturer at scale.
    - greglindahl 8y ago
      As a data point, Tesla isn't very good at delivering body parts to independent body shops. I don't see why dealers would be any more successful at nagging them. I also suspect it's a lot easier for Tesla to fix their parts problem than it is for dealers to stop being smarmy.

bonestamp2 8y ago

Delivering thousands of vehicles per week could be where GM's experience becomes helpful.

kwhitefoot 8y ago
Is GM getting involved or just investing?
- bonestamp2 8y ago
  Some analysts believe they will help on the production side too since they don't have an EV Pickup in the next 3 years of road map. Each side might learn something from sharing their expertise. Apparently Amazon is interested from a delivery vehicle standpoint. It's probably not that useful as a pickup truck, but it could be a good platform to build a proper delivery vehicle on.