Rivian Pauses Special Orders for R1T and R1S Until Summer

Apr 03, 2024 10:14 PM EDT

AERIAL VIEW OF A BUSY STREET BETWEEN GREEN TREES — (Photo : PEXELS/Gabriele Niek)

Rivian has decided to stop the custom ordering process for both the R1T and R1S models in order to facilitate upgrades at its manufacturing plant located in Normal, Illinois. During this period, interested buyers can explore available inventory at authorized dealerships for immediate purchase. The temporary suspension of special orders is anticipated to be lifted by late summer, allowing customers to once again personalize their R1T and R1S configurations according to their preferences.

Special Orders: R1T, R1S

Rivian has not specified a definite date for reopening the configurator for custom orders. The production line at the Illinois Rivian factory will not be in operation from April 5 to April 30. Rivian just said that they will not be taking any more bespoke orders for R1T and R1S. According to CarBuzz, this pause is projected to extend until late summer and exclusively impacts special orders. For immediate acquisition of these electric vehicles, customers can still make purchases, albeit restricted to the existing inventory at dealer locations.

The company has clarified that the temporary pause in production from April 5 to April 30 is not due to any issues or an excess inventory situation. Rivian is utilizing this period to temporarily suspend operations and retool their facility for future enhancements and optimizations.

In aiming to lower production expenses, Rivian is undergoing retooling efforts with the expectation of potentially enhancing the facility's production efficiency by up to 30 percent. This strategic initiative not only focuses on cost reduction but also on streamlining production processes and decreasing overall inventory levels.

These steps align with Rivian's preparation for introducing new models to the market, signaling a forward-looking approach to operational optimization and readiness for future growth. As reported by CarScoops, the electric startup recently communicated to its customers via email about the temporary suspension of new orders until late summer.

While the exact quantity of vehicles in Rivian's U.S. inventory remains undisclosed, the announcement of the configurator pause may come as a disappointment to some prospective buyers. Speculations suggest that Rivian is gearing up for a substantial update to its R1 platform, with anticipated releases of updated versions of the R1T and R1S possibly scheduled for this year.

There are rumors that Rivian is preparing for a major R1 platform update, and that this year would likely see the release of enhanced R1T and R1S variants. It is expected that the upcoming "Ascent," a new flagship model, will use upgraded electric motors with a horsepower output of more than 1,000. With its maximum power of 835 horsepower, the current flagship model would be much outperformed by this.

R1T, R1S

According to Car and Driver, the United States sees the sale of several million new pickups annually, with only a handful being fully electric models. Among these offerings, the Rivian R1T stands out as the fastest option available. For the year 2024, the R1T pickup is set to introduce a performance variant featuring a more affordable two-motor powertrain.

A notable addition is the Drive Cam feature, allowing users to record video footage of their entire journey directly onto a USB-C drive, serving as a modern replacement for traditional dashcams. Notably, the driver-facing camera feature, as well as the 12-volt outlets in both the cabin and frunk, have been discontinued in this updated model.

Sharing battery packs, powertrain components, design elements, and a considerable portion of specifications with its R1T counterpart, the Rivian R1S demonstrates similarities to its pickup sibling. The standard configuration features the Dual-Motor setup, delivering a total of 600 horsepower and including all-wheel drive as a standard feature.

For those seeking even more power, the Quad-Motor powertrain option offers an impressive 835 horsepower, enabling the R1S to accelerate swiftly, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds during testing. Equipped with an electric motor at each wheel, the upgraded powertrain enhances the R1S's off-road capabilities and provides exceptional all-wheel-drive performance.