3 ms·

> Where do investors see the growth? It's a really well designed piece of hardware, with actually innovative features that have done a great job separating its

> Where do investors see the growth? It's a really well designed piece of hardware, with actually innovative features that have done a great job separating itself from the existing stalwarts making boring, me-too cars that happen to be electric. If they can manage to bring that innovation down to a sub-$60k offering, they'll be able to pick off sales from cars like the Mustang Mach E that nobody seems to love but is in high demand, presumably due to its low price for those looking for a cheaper way to get away from combustion without spending a fortune. They were also new enough to the market that they were able to draw a lot of excitement from investors before everybody else started competing tho, so your point is definitely fair, and it's probably become more of a gamble than originally anticipated.

jdmichal 4y ago
Ford's "boring, me-too cars that happen to be electric" strategy on the F-150 Lightning was absolute genius. The F-150 has been the best-selling truck since 1977, and the best-selling vehicle since 1981. Why would one ever mess with that? GM is taking a different approach on the Silverado EV. Still looks like a normal truck, but it's been designed around the electric powertrain. So we'll see who wins that race. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world that just wants a normal car or truck, but electric.
- bmelton 4y ago
  I agree. The F-150 Lightning is perhaps the polar opposite of the Mach-E. It's practical, and has literally dozens of smart choices made that leverage the utility of electric without them feeling remotely like tech demos. If you extend the boring -> practical line out to "exciting," that seems to be where I mentally position the Rivian right now. It does largely feel like a tech demo, but one that is carefully considered, if somewhat less utilitarian.

jdmichal 4y ago

Ford's "boring, me-too cars that happen to be electric" strategy on the F-150 Lightning was absolute genius. The F-150 has been the best-selling truck since 1977, and the best-selling vehicle since 1981. Why would one ever mess with that? GM is taking a different approach on the Silverado EV. Still looks like a normal truck, but it's been designed around the electric powertrain. So we'll see who wins that race. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world that just wants a normal car or truck, but electric.

bmelton 4y ago
I agree. The F-150 Lightning is perhaps the polar opposite of the Mach-E. It's practical, and has literally dozens of smart choices made that leverage the utility of electric without them feeling remotely like tech demos. If you extend the boring -> practical line out to "exciting," that seems to be where I mentally position the Rivian right now. It does largely feel like a tech demo, but one that is carefully considered, if somewhat less utilitarian.