Rivian lands $350 million investment from Cox Automotive

Discussion in 'General' started by interestedinEV, Sep 10, 2019.

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  1. interestedinEV

    interestedinEV Well-Known Member

    This has been posted in the RivianChat also, but many in this forum may not be a part of that so I am posting here also.

    https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/10/rivian-lands-350-million-investment-from-cox-automotive/?yptr=yahoo

    This is in addition to the Amazon and Ford investments.

    Rivian is trying to fill in gaps in their marketing and distribution areas and find ways to drive customers to them. Cox owns Autotrader, KBB etc as well as some analytic companies. Manheim Logistics can provide transportation help etc.

    Cox Automotive has a number of specialties, such as logistics, fleet management and service and digital retailing, which is the back-end retail support that a company selling and servicing vehicles will need. For instance, Cox Automotive launched in January a fleet services brand called Pivet that handles the task management, including everything from in-fleeting, de-fleeting, cleaning, detailing, fueling and charging, to maintenance, storage, parking and logistics.

    While Rivian has never explicitly announced plans to have a subscription service to its vehicles, this type of service would come in handy if the automaker pursued that as a business model.

    Cox Automotive has also been building out parts of its business to take advantage of the rise in electrified vehicles, including battery diagnostics and second-life battery applications.

    Cox Automotive, as well as its parent company Cox Enterprises, has the reach Rivian is looking for. Cox Enterprises owns nearly 30 automotive brands, including Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Pivet, RideKleen and Manheim, which transports, services and auctions vehicles across more than 150 global locations.
     
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  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web Well-Known Member Subscriber

    How many fast DC chargers are in their production plans?

    Bob Wilson
     
  4. They won't be building a huge network of chargers. Instead, they'll lean on Electrify America and others for main routes while put in fast chargers at "adventure destination" locations, where traffic will be lower.

    With others doing the heavy lifting charging network-wise, it makes sense for Rivian to use its capital wisely. As a new company, they've got a lot of places to pour cash, so I think this is a sensible approach.
     
    interestedinEV likes this.
  5. Thanks for taking the time to do this, @interestedinEV. Much appreciated.
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Sorry. I thought serious innovators covered all aspects of their new technology like Ford and ethanol stills to fuel the early Ford car/tractors.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  8. interestedinEV

    interestedinEV Well-Known Member

    In this day and age, you outsource a lot of your stuff. EA and others want customers, why not steer it to them rather than build your own network. Ford needed it then, Rivian does not need to build their own network at least for now. If they take off, may be. First order is get the product out of the door, not the charging network. There is enough of an infrastructure to support the initial production. Then they can decide how to proceed. Remember they are not coming out till 2020. Getting this like product distribution, marketing support are more critical and hence the tie up with Cox Automotive. Now they have an incentive to help Rivian and might profit from the share appreciation.
     
    Domenick likes this.
  9. interestedinEV

    interestedinEV Well-Known Member

    You are welcome
     
    Domenick likes this.
  10. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Sandy Munro was asked 'Why can't Detroit do what Tesla does?'

    He said, 'Detroit once was run by car guys who could and would.' Then hunching over and rubbing his hands like a villain:
    [​IMG]
    He said,'But today Detroit managers are trying to take costs out of their cars anyway they can and success is saving pennies even if the product suffers.'

    The ability to use an EV like a regular car requires more than overnight charging. You need credible, fast DC charging stations as well as cars that use it. Those silly 50-75 kW charge rates don't hack it. Even my 100 kW Model 3 is barely usable for cross country driving (i.e., 125-150 kW would be perfect.)

    I have no problem with the non-Tesla manufacturers 'buying' their chargers IF they participate in the siting and installation costs. Start with their d*mn dealers even if they buy part of the property or adjacent (walking distance) property to install fast DC chargers with a waiting room and bathroom. That sends a clear signal that they are committed and not just trying to parasite or abandon their customers after their EV car leaves the lot.

    Bob Wilson

    ps. The Sandy Munro program and discussion:

    Start at 1:03:00 for enlightenment. Sandy's comment starts at 01:13:20.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019

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