Rivian walks back price increases after customer complaints

Photo courtesy of Rivian

Citing rising component and materials costs, Rivian raised prices for its two electric vehicles earlier this week. The price hike impacts existing order holders and new customers alike, which didn't go over so well, as you might imagine. Today, the company walked that decision back, after facing complaints and seeing canceled orders from angry customers.

Rivian R1T and R1S Photo courtesy of Rivian

Rivian raised its prices by 17 percent and 20 percent for the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, respectively. Almost immediately, the move caused a stir, with customers and half the internet lobbing criticism and complaints at the automaker. Now, though, it seems the company is ready to make amends. In a letter sent to customers, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe noted that prices for preorders placed before March 1 will roll back to the original price, and noted that anyone who canceled their order can place a new one and keep their place in line, along with their original vehicle configuration. Scaringe says that going forward, the company's dual-motor and standard battery pack offerings are in place to give buyers a more affordable alternative to the quad-motor, extended-range vehicles it sells.

New photos show Rivian R1S on, off the production lineautomotivemap.com

In his letter, Scaringe apologizes for the change. He explains that the move broke the trust Rivian has with its customers and notes that the company didn't handle communication of the changes well. He said that components from semiconductors to sheetmetal are all more expensive, and apologizes for applying the price increases to all future orders, regardless of when they were placed.

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Photo composite by AutomotiveMap, screen image courtesy of Twitter/@RJScaringe

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe spent his weekend winter testing the R1T

Test Drive

On Sunday night, while you were on the couch missing football and pretending not to watch HGTV reruns of "House Hunters", Rivian's RJ Scaringe was out working with the engineering team that's developing the company's R1T and R1S all-electric vehicles. He posted about it on Twitter.

Scaringe, who is pretty open about the product development process on Twitter, described what they were doing saying that he was working on "developing traction control for some of our more fun driving modes". The one in particular that was shown in the video is Drift mode.

No internal combustion truck or SUV features a specific Drift mode straight off the line from the company. A combination of button switches and screen selections can get you something similar in many vehicles, namely the ones that let you disengage traction control.

Tesla's Track Mode V2 allows owners to adjust their vehicle's drive dynamics in a similar way.

While driving, Scaringe shows off the truck's fully-digital driver information display, which shows that the truck is traveling around 30 mph as it makes its way across the snow-covered track. The navigation screen is also on display showcasing a vivid picture of what the area looks like in more hospital temperatures.

The footage is shown as one of Rivian's electric utility vehicle rivals, the GMC Hummer EV has begun promoting its testing regimen in the snow.

Earlier in the day, Rivian's corporate Twitter account showed footage of the snow testing alongside other captured moments of the R1T and R1S including an intriguing water fording test and mountain climbing.

The company has been continuously giving updates regarding its development progress, even teasing the fact that its truck will be capable of a tank turn.

Rivian has released the footage as the company takes aim at its June 2021 scheduled deliveries start date. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors, the comany was unable to keep its original targeted delivery date for the first Rivian vehciles - late 2020.

Photo courtesy of Rivian Automotive

New photos show Rivian R1S on, off the production line

Manufacturing

Rivian is gearing up to launch the R1T truck and R1S SUV. Currently the models are undergoing fine tuning, just as the company's first production line does the same. New photos, shown on Twitter this week, show the R1S on and off that line wearing a Rivian Blue paint job.

First tweeted by RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian Automotive via his personal Twitter account, the R1S was shown on the line, likely at the Rivian plant that has been under construction near Chicago, a former Mitsubishi facility. The plant, which was busy being retooled during 2020, is 2.6 million square feet. The coronavirus slowed the progress of those renovations.

The R1S is the sister of the R1T. Both are all-electric vehicles that will not be sold at dealerships. Instead, vehciles will be able to be purchased online, as with Teslas, then they will be under the care of 41 service centers as well as a "robust" network of mobile service providers according to Scaringe.

Ahead of those online sales, Rivian is slowly leaking out details about the R1T and R1S. In December 2019 Rivian showed off the R1T's ability to do a tank turn. In an all-electric truck, it is possible to achieve this sort of maneuvering using the four motors on the wheels, which can act independently and with varying levels of torque vectoring to cause the vehicle to turn in a very tight radius.

In July 2020, Rivian dropped three new videos on YouTube featuring the R1T's off-road performance being tested.

And in November 2020, Pirelli announced that they've created three new tires specifically for the needs of the R1T and R1S. Pirelli and Rivian co-developed these products over a nearly two-year timespan.

The Rivian R1S SUV is expected to reach its first customers in late 2021. The first deliveries of the R1T pickup are expected to start this summer.

Photo courtesy of Rivian

But no dealerships: ​Rivian details plans for nationwide service network

Electric Vehicles

On Tuesday's Daily Drive podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe described how customers will get their Riviann R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV serviced once they take delivery. The R1T is slated to go into full production soon.

Like Tesla, Rivian is eschewing the traditional car dealership model and going to all-online sales for their models, a business plan that has hangups in some states where laws haven't met up with the current technology capabilities thanks in large part to lobbying efforts by dealers associations.

Rivian R1SPirelli has been busy making specialized Scorpion tires for the Rivian R1T and R1S.Photo courtesy of Rivian

Scaringe says that the company's operational service network will be ready before customers begin taking delivery of their vehicles, and that there will be three options for service. Rivian will offer customers the ability to access over-the-air (OTA) updates for the truck or SUV, book a visit to a brick and mortar repair location, and schedule a mobile service fix for their vehicle.

In the next nine months, Scaringe expects 41 service centers to launch as well as a "robust" network of mobile service providers that are able to come to an owner's home or place of business to perform necessary repairs.

Repairs for an electric vehicle involve far less moving parts than for a traditional gasoline- or diesel-powered model. Service for these vehicles typically involves tire rotation, wheel alignments, and replacing parts that typically wear like brake pads and rotors. EV owners do not have to perform oil changes as there is no internal combustion engine that requires such lubricant.

Infrastructure, including charging stations and repair shops, remains a major pain point when it comes to EV adoption. Tesla, the nation's largest EV seller, also conducts service via OTA updates, mobile repair technicians, and service centers. Tesla.com promotes that 80 percent of the repairs their vehicles need can be done outside of a service center. However, comment threads one the internet are dedicated to numerous instances of service centers having vehicles for months waiting for parts to come in.

In pre-COVID times R1S SUV was slated to be the first off the line at Rivian's plant near Chicago, a former Mitsubishi facility. That place is still in place, but the timeline has been pushed back. In the meantime, the company has been promoting the R1T truck by showcasing it's off-road prowess and ability to conduct a tank turn. The truck successfully competed in the Rebelle Rally this year.

Rivian has signed an agreement with Amazon to produce 100,000 electric delivery vans. This year, Rivian made an agreement with Lincoln to create an all-electric SUV based on the Rivian platform, but that agreement has since been dissolved.

Photo courtesy of Rivian

Four new videos show off Rivian R1T's off-roading prowess

Off-Roading

Four new performance testing videos featuring the Rivian R1T all-electric pickup truck have dropped on YouTube. Three of the videos show a specific area of performance while the last wraps it all up showcasing a trail ride. Whether you're an electric vehicle enthusiast, truck fan, or someone who enjoys the road less traveled (or a combination thereof), there's something for everyone.

The first video hones in on the launch performance of the truck. The R1T, like other electric vehicles, has power at all four wheels, giving it instant torque when the driver presses on the accelerator. The wildly wrapped R1T rapidly gains speed as it heads down a dirt path. Watch the video below.

The second video features the R1T drifting around a series of corners at a controlled facility in the Arizona desert. With the dust kicked up, the effect is dramatic. Late last year, Rivian showcased its model's ability to complete a tank turn. The company has already trademarked the phrases "Tank Steer" and "Tank Turn". You can see the drifting video below.

The third video Rivian posted features an off-roading adventure with the R1T speeding down a desert trail. The drive is a test for the dynamics of the vehicle which will have to compete with the suspension and handling capabilities of traditional trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra, and GMC Sierra when it comes to market. Watch the video below.

Rivian says, "Last weekend, we grabbed our cameras and chased a few engineers around the desert as they put the R1T through its paces." The video shows off trail riding, rock climbing, and some on-track driving. Let's be honest, this one is the most exciting - especially the rick climbing bit. You can watch the full video below.

Rivian is looking to start deliveries of the vehicle in 2021. Production was delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Motor Company

The Rivian-Lincoln EV SUV joint venture has been cancelled

Electric Vehicles

The auto industry has its first model casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint venture between Rivian and Lincoln, a luxury arm of Ford Motor Company, to develop an electric SUV has be cancelled according to reporting by Automotive News.

Messaging to Lincoln dealers this week noted that while there is the possibility that Lincoln will develop an electric vehicle (EV) in the future, given the current business environment, the project needed to be shelved.

2020 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEVThe 2020 Corsair Grand Touring becomes Lincoln's second PHEV with segment-first electric all-wheel drive.Photo courtesy of Lincoln Motor Company

Before it was cancelled, the model the joint venture was producing would have built a Lincoln SUV atop the same skateboard that Rivian plans to build the R1T truck and R1S SUV on under its own badge.

When the proposed new model was announced in January, Joy Falotico, president, Lincoln Motor Company, said, "Working with Rivian marks a pivotal point for Lincoln as we move toward a future that includes fully electric vehicles. This vehicle will take Quiet Flight to a new place – zero emissions, effortless performance and connected and intuitive technology. It's going to be stunning."

Ford invested $500 million in Rivian last year.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic halted much of the automotive industry from supplier to salesman, Rivian had been set to begin production of their all-electric R1T truck and R1S SUV in the coming months. Now, reporting by The Chicago Tribune indicates that the company's timeline for launch has been pushed back to 2021. Rivian has since confirmed the delay.

Currently, Lincoln offers Aviator and Corsair plug-in electric vehicle options, which have a small number of all-electric range. The downside for buyers is that those models cost substantially more than their gasoline-only powered counterparts.

Ford is investing $11.5 billion into electrification, including the new Mustang Mach-E and a fully electric version.

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Automotive Map is moving to Your Test Driver

New website

Big news! Automotive Map has moved to a new site and has changed its name to Your Test Driver. You'll notice the same format, writing style, and content on the new site. That's because Your Test Driver is run by Chris Teague, the former editor of Automotive Map. We hope to see you there for continued coverage of news, reviews, and features from around the automotive industry.

2023 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Updated EV

Nissan is nearing the release of the Ariya, its first new EV in several years. Even so, the brand hasn't forgotten about its first mass-market EV, the Leaf. It was an early entrant in the space, and has been an efficient, affordable, commuter car for over a decade. The car got a mild facelift for 2023, with updated wheels and exterior styling accents. Today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf, which starts at just under $29,000.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf feels lively, despite middling power numbers.Nissan

The base Leaf comes with a 40-kWh battery capable of delivering a 149-mile range. Its 110-kW electric motor produces 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf SV Plus features a 60-kWh battery for a range of 212 miles. It comes with a 160-kW motor that makes 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Nissan backs all Leaf models with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

ProPilot Assist comes standard for the Leaf SV Plus, and brings a full suite of advanced driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, driver alertness features, and a surround-view monitor. All Leaf models get Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf SV Plus offers up to 212 miles of range.Nissan

The new Leaf starts at $28,895, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. The Leaf SV Plus starts at $36,895. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is on sale now, and may be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to receive a state tax credit or other incentives.

2022 Nissan Altima: Three things to know

Comfortable midsize sedan

The Nissan Altima may not get the attention or the praise that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get, but it's a solid entry in an ultra-competitive segment. It's also one of few options in its class with available all-wheel drive. We spent a week with the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition with AWD and came away from the experience impressed. Here are three things to know about the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is a Good Value

With a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range and available all-wheel drive, it's hard to complain about value here. The Altima is still reasonably priced at the top end, where it maxes out at around $35,000 before options and fees. That's a great value for a spacious, comfortable car like the Altima, and with all-wheel drive it's a great all-weather commuter.

2022 Nissan AltimaNissan offers the Altima in several configurations.Nissan

2022 Altima Interior Space and Comfort are Generous

It's easy to ignore Nissan's Zero Gravity seats as another marketing buzzword, but they are legitimately comfortable and supportive in a way that not many others are. Available leather upholstery and contrast stitching give the interior an upscale feel, but even lower trims' cloth upholstery feels nice and works well from a visual standpoint. Up front, there's room for both passengers to stretch out, and the driver won't feel cramped on leg or headroom. Back-seat passengers get a similar treatment, as there's plenty of space for adults and kids. Parents will find an easy time loading and unloading car seats as well.

2023 Nissan AltimaThe Altima gets an update for 2023 with fresh styling and more tech.Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Altima Gets an Update

Nissan is refreshing the Altima for 2023 with a facelift, new tech, and better safety features. The new car will go on sale in the fall of 2022 and will come in several trims, including one with Nissan's truck VC-Turbo engine. The Altima's most noticeable update will be its front fascia, which is all-new for 2023. Nissan gives the car a fresh grille design that varies depending on the trim, and LED headlights will be standard. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and the Altima is available with all-wheel drive, ProPilot Assist, and more.

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