How Rivian Can Balance Profitability and Customer Loyalty with its Recent Price Hike Announcement
Rivian has recently announced a ~20% increase for pre-order reservation holders, which raises questions about the company's customer-friendly behavior. While they may be trying to reduce their order backlog and make quotas, this move has been widely criticized by many customers who feel betrayed.
Rivian had previously expressed an optimistic timeline for fulfilling orders, but it appears that they were unable to meet these expectations due to lack of resources or other factors. This price hike could be seen as a way for them to maximize profits from the few vehicles they will produce in the near future.
The comparison between Rivian and companies like Honda, Toyota, and Datsun is often drawn, as those companies entered the US market with lower prices and better mileage than their competitors at the time. Their strategy worked out in the long run, so some people are questioning why Rivian isn't following suit.
Another issue is that unlike Tesla, Rivian does not have its own charging network, meaning that customers must use more expensive third-party services. This makes the recent price hike even harder to swallow for many customers.
It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but one thing is certain - Rivian will need to do something if they want to maintain the loyalty of their early adopters and shareholders. In addition, they should consider learning from past successes and failures before making any further decisions regarding pricing. The upcoming earnings call on March 10th could provide some answers, although participation may be limited.
It is clear that Rivian has a lot to consider when it comes to pricing and customer loyalty. Surely they must know that their current strategy could backfire if not handled properly, as customers may be less likely to purchase vehicles from them in the future.
Rivian should also take into account the fact that many of their pre-order reservation holders are passionate about electric vehicles and have been waiting for years for this moment. They deserve better than what they're getting right now - an increase in price without any explanation or justification.
The company needs to find a way to balance its need for profitability with its commitment towards providing quality products at reasonable prices, while still maintaining customer satisfaction levels high enough so people will continue buying from them in the future. This can be done by offering incentives such as discounts on accessories or free charging sessions, which would help offset some of the cost associated with purchasing one of their cars.
Ultimately, Rivian's success depends on how well it manages these issues going forward and whether or not it can make up ground lost due to recent missteps like this price hike announcement. It remains unclear what steps they'll take next but hopefully whatever decision is made will benefit both customers and shareholders alike!
Why did Rivian announce a ~20% increase for pre-order reservation holders?
Rivian may have done this intentionally, realizing they could not fulfill current pre-orders for 2-3 years. This price increase would help them to fulfill pre-orders within 18 months and make quotas.
Is Rivian different from other companies?
No, they are not. The push to IPO so soon instead of focusing on customers/product demonstrates this.
What is the reason behind the massive price hike?
It is likely that the vehicles were priced low to begin with relative to the market, and Rivian does not have any leverage over materials and suppliers. Additionally, they had to get a huge infusion of cash with the IPO.
How did other car companies enter the US market?
Companies such as Honda, Toyota and Datsun (now Nissan) entered the US market by offering cars that were less expensive, got better mileage, and were mechanically better than the big 3 at the time. They must have operated on very thin margins or even lost money to gain marketshare in the US.
What is the impact of the 20% price increase on Rivian's bottom line?
Even if they get 10,000 out this year, which seems like a stretch, at a $15k increase, that's "only" $150 million.
How can Rivian establish their company?
Like Tesla, Rivian should do what it takes to establish their company. Tesla's first car was sold in 2008 and they lost money until recently. Teslas aren't cheap, but Musk did what it took to establish his company.
Does Rivian have its own charging network?
No, unlike Tesla, Rivian does not have its own charging network and must use EA charging system which is more expensive than gas.
What happened when Tesla canceled the standard range Model Y with its low initial price?
Thousands had pre ordered and waited on it and it was a poor decision from Tesla.
Will there be an opportunity to watch the earnings call on 3/10/22?
Yes, there will be an opportunity to watch the earnings call on 3/10/22 via this link: [link]. It is unclear if they will allow participation.