Rivian Cancels Least Expensive Version of Electric Pickup Truck
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Rivian Automotive Inc. eliminated the least expensive trim of its R1T electric pickup truck, the company confirmed via email, effectively raising the price of its entry-level model.
Demand for the Explore model, which retailed at $67,500, was smaller than anticipated, and eliminating it will help the EV manufacturer “streamline our supply chain and ultimately deliver vehicles more quickly,” according to a letter cited on the Rivian Owners Forum on Aug. 18.
The “vast majority” of customers have ordered the next trim level, the $73,000 Adventure configuration, according to the letter.
Rivian confirmed it sent the letter to people who had preordered the Explore package. Customers will have until Sept. 1 to upgrade or cancel their order, the company said.
In March, the Irvine, Calif.-based carmaker attempted to raise sticker prices of the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, citing higher input costs and a shortage of semiconductors, only to roll back the increases in the face of a customer backlash.
The Verge reported the discontinuation of the Explore configuration earlier Aug. 18.
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